Year 8 English skills

recognise how language shapes relationships and roles

understand how layers of meaning can be created when evaluating by using literary devices such as simile and metaphor

explain how texts are structured depending on their purpose and how language features vary, recognising that some texts are hybrids that combine different genres or elements of different genres

understand how cohesion in texts is improved by strengthening the internal structure of paragraphs with examples, quotations and substantiation of claims

examine a variety of clause structures including embedded clauses that add information and expand ideas in sentences

understand the effect of nominalisation in texts

investigate how visual texts use intertextual references to enhance and layer meaning

identify and use vocabulary typical of academic texts

understand and use punctuation conventions including semicolons and dashes to extend ideas and support meaning

explain the ways that ideas and points of view may represent the values of individuals and groups in literary texts, drawn from historical, social and cultural contexts, by First Nations Australian, and wide-ranging Australian and world authors

share opinions about the language features, literary devices and text structures that contribute to the styles of literary texts

explain how language and/or images in texts position readers to respond and form viewpoints

identify intertextual references in literary texts and explain how the references enable new understanding of the aesthetic quality of the text

analyse how language features such as sentence patterns create tone, and literary devices such as imagery create meaning and effect

create and edit literary texts that experiment with language features and literary devices for particular purposes and effects

identify how texts reflect contexts

use interaction skills for identified purposes and situations, including when supporting or challenging the stated or implied meanings of spoken texts in presentations or discussion

analyse and evaluate the ways that language features vary according to the purpose and audience of the text, and the ways that sources and quotations are used in a text

analyse how authors organise ideas to develop and shape meaning

use comprehension strategies such as visualising, predicting, connecting, summarising, monitoring, questioning and inferring to interpret and evaluate ideas in texts

plan, create, edit and publish written and multimodal texts, organising and expanding ideas, and selecting text structures, language features, literary devices and visual features for purposes and audiences in ways that may be imaginative, reflective, informative, persuasive and/or analytical

plan, create, rehearse and deliver spoken and multimodal presentations for audiences and purposes, selecting language features, literary devices, visual features and features of voice to suit formal or informal situations, and organising and developing ideas in texts in ways that may be imaginative, reflective, informative, persuasive and/or analytical

apply learnt knowledge to spell accurately and to learn new words