End Of Year Satirical Project

“CNNNN” was a satirical programme by The Chaser which parodied the 24hour news channels. Imagine that the programme was to be resurrected. Consider ONE current news topic (within the last month) and write the script which the newsreader would give from behind the desk. Include at least one live cross to a reporter “on the spot”. You do not have to read out the segment, but as a guide to required length it should last for 1.5 – 2 minutes when read. (15 marks)

Once you have completed activity #3 and submitted it for marking, you can act out the segment, using PowerPoint to create suitable backdrops for the newsreader and the live cross to the on-the-spot reporter. (15 marks)

End Of Year Satirical Project

GROUP PRESENTATION – 4 STUDENTS

Many families do not allow shows like “The Simpsons” to be watched because they are seen by some parents to be almost subversive, teaching incorrect moral values and showing bad examples of behaviour to the young. As a group, script a dinner party discussion between two parents who are against allowing their pre-teen children to watch shows like this, and two other parents who feel there is much to be gained by allowing their pre-teen children to view it. Use example from actual episodes of the show. You must present this interesting dinner party conversation to the class and it should last for about 2-3 minutes. (15 marks – this is the total for both writing and presenting)

John: Against 

Max: For

Julie: Against

Vanessa: For

These two families went out to a nice restaurant for dinner one night. They got into a conversation about the show the Simpson's. Both families children watch the show and Max and Vanessa have no problem with their children watching it but John and Julie think it is not moralistic and the values portrayed should not get to the ears of their children. This is the conversation they had at the restaurant. 

John: The Simpsons is definitely not a show for pre teen children. It teaches nothing to kids and portrays very bad and abusive moral vales.

Julie: I agree, there is no way I want my children to watch shows like this. Our kids shouldn't grow up thinking this is how to act or behave.

Max: Yes but we shouldn't encourage these morals we should teach the kids while watching the show this  is what you shouldn't do and how you don't behave. 

Vanessa: We need to teach them this is wrong and they need to learn this early in their lives so they don't fall into the trap of becoming unmoralistic and rude. 

John: There are many ''catch phrases'' expressed throughout the show that are rude and reflect how not to express your emotions.

Julie: Yes I agree, I have watched the show many times as I was curious to why the children enjoyed it so much and throughout each episode Bart Simpson is portrayed as rebellious and says things like ''Eat my shorts'' and ''Don't have a cow man'' to his teachers and family. I definitely think this is unacceptable and don't want my children to repeat this to me our their teachers. 

Max: I have watched the show also and characters like Marge try to pull the family together and teach right from wrong. She punishes Bart when he does something wrong and encourages Homer to do the same thing. 

Vanessa: Yes Marge is a well meaning and very patient matriarch of the Simpsons family. She has a grounding voice in the midst of her family's antics by trying to maintain order in the family household. This is how a normal family is sometimes children are rude but we teach and guide them away from the wrong to the right. 

John: While that is correct Marge still has no control over the family and Homer acts like a child and encourages violence. He says things like ''why you little'' and then almost strangles Bart to death in most episodes. 

Max: Yes but this adds to the comedy of the show and why our children enjoy it so much.

Julie: If they enjoy comedy there are many more movies and T.V. shows they can watch which are more age appropriate and don't encourage bad morals. 

Vanessa: If you don't expose your children to this kind of behavior now when are they going to experience it and be taught right from wrong. 

John: Even President George Bush says ''It has a bad influence of the children.'' Another character you may be aware of in the show is Apu. He is an Indian store owner of a small convenience shop. Apu is giving many stereotypical jokes and situations. In one episode Apu's approaches a calm Reverend Lovejoy for calling his religions miscellaneous and says ''You know Hindu isn't a small religions. There are 7 millions of us. 

After this long conversation John and Julie finally decided that the show wasn't so bad after all and so long as they expressed that the morals in the show are wrong to their children it would be better for them to be aware of things like this now rather than later. 

Analysis Of Satirical Cartoons

For TWO cartoons from the previous post (or you can choose ONE of your own) answer the following questions?:

Cartoon 1:

1) What is the event or issue that inspired the cartoon? 

Julia Gulliard sticking her nose into everything.

2) Are there any real known personalities depicted in the cartoon? Even if this is not the case, what type of person is being depicted? 

Something that has to have a say in everything and is always right in what they say or do.

3)Are there symbols and/or signifies in the cartoon? What are they and what do you think they represent? 

The size of her nose is a symbol for her being a ''sticky beak.'' In the picture you can see the use of vector lines through Kevin Rudd, Julia and the islander people behind Julia. These islander people may also represent immigration as they are in the dark within the cartoon and Julia is in the light.

4)What do you think the cartoonist's opinion is about the topic? Do you think it is his alone or expresses the view of the publisher too? Why? 

I think the cartoonist is trying to portray a point in his views of the current prime minister and her downfalls as a person.

5)Do you agree with the cartoonist's opinion? Why??

Yes I do as Julia does try and stick her nose in every topic and also always thinks she is correct in what she is saying.

Cartoon 2:

1) What is the event or issue that inspired the cartoon? 

Obama's approval rating ''sinking to the bottom.''

2) Are there any real known personalities depicted in the cartoon? Even if this is not the case, what type of person is being depicted? 

No

3)Are there symbols and/or signifies in the cartoon? What are they and what do you think they represent? 

The submarine is going down represents Obama's approval rating isn't popular and not many people agree with it.

4)What do you think the cartoonist's opinion is about the topic? Do you think it is his alone or expresses the view of the publisher too? Why? 

I think the cartoonist is just portraying the view of the people in America not necessary his view.

5)Do you agree with the cartoonist's opinion? Why??

No as I am not familiar with the topic being expressed.

Satirical Cartoons

Text Number	Why It Made Me Laugh	Techniques Used
4.	- His face  - Personality  - Who he is  - What he represents	- Parody
8.	- Names on the toilet blocks  - They categorise type of people and make different toilets for them	- Reversal   - Incongruity
2.	- The size of her nose   - That it is Julia Gulliard   - She is howling at Kevin Rud  - Saying that she sticks her nose in everything	- Exaggeration
9.	- Picture of the American flag with all 52 stars and John Howard is singing twinkle twinkle little star  - Australia is one of the stars on  the flag	- Parody

Anh Do - Winner of Australian Literary Prize 2011

      Who did Anh’s father rescue from the concentration camp?

a)      His eldest son who would later become Young Australian of the Year

b)      His wife’s two brothers who had worked for the Australian military

c)       Two of the armed guards at the camp who were really employees of the Australian military and were in disguise.

2.       What was the length of the fishing boat in which they escaped and how many people were on it?

a)      40 metres long with 9 people

b)      9 metres long with 40 people

c)       20 metres long with 20 people

3.       What honour was Anh’s brother given in 2005?

a)      Australian Refugee of the Year

b)      Australian of the Year

c)       Young Australian of the Year

4.       What was the main lesson which Anh’s parents insisted that he learn after coming to Australia?

That he should give back to Australia for what Australia has given him and this includes taking all the opportunities offered to him. 

5.       Why was Anh able to attend a prestigious school like St Aloyisius?

a)      He worked in a sweatshop to earn enough money to pay his fees

b)      He won a half scholarship

c)       St Aloyisius always takes in a certain number of refugees as part of their charity work

6.       Explain how Anh tried to overcome the problem of having no text books for his lessons.

He borrowed his friends text books when they weren't using that particular book for the class they were in.

7.       Describe what he wore instead of the official sports uniform.

8.       True or false:

a)      His mother earned less than $7 an hour as a cleaner in a hotel.  T   or  F

b)      At school, Anh was the class clown and this was when he knew he had a future as a comedian.    T   or   F

c)       He was often punished at school with a strap.    T   or   F

d)      No-one at school knew at the time that Anh and his family were poor.  T   or   F

e)      Anh’s father left the family when Anh was growing up.   T   or  F

9.       What did Anh study at University?

a)      Fine Arts, majoring in Drama

b)      Law

c)       Pure Mathematics

10.   What did Anh do for his mother when he was only 23 years old?

a)      Gave her money for a holiday back in Vietnam

b)      Arranged for her to come and see his first public performance as a comedian

c)       Bought her a house

11.   How old was Anh at the time of this interview?

a)      30

b)      33

c)       40

12.   What was the motto which Anh’s father taught his children to live by?

Give back to Australia for the opportunities the country had given him.

13.   Was Anh the victim of racism as he grew up?

n    No

14.   Write ONE extra question which you would like Adam to have asked Anh, and what do you think the answer would have been?

"Is your dad proud of you now and does he regret leaving the family?'' Yes and probably yes.

Why Does It Matter - The Relative Advantages of Learning My Language

Read any story that we haven't read yet and write a review of the story and explain why it matters. Why should anyone care about the story/read it?


This story is all about a Chinese girl who learns to speak Chinese at a young age. She lives in Australia where she attends a school where everyone speaks English, she watches T.V. which is in English and all of her friends speak English to her. She sees no point in speaking Chinese anymore so stops thus she can no longer communicate with her Chinese grandfather. He unfortunately dies and then later on in her life she decides to start learning Chinese again and she states ''The next time a old person wants to speak Chinese to me I am not only willing but able."


This is a very good story and reflects the multiculturalism of Australia but the problem is this girl thought there was no point speaking Chinese in this country. She thought it wouldn't help her and there was no point of being able to speak a language that is not spoken in the country she is living in.  


The story also reflects the regret she had no being able to spend much time with her grandfather as she gave up on speaking Chinese. By re learning the language and being able to speak it to her mother is very good as she realises that being able to speak two languages is a good thing a privilege to be able to do. Also then she won't regret not being able to communicate with her mother in Chinese. It can also help her in later life getting a job or if she moves to China she at least knows how to speak the language fluently. 


What is also very important in this story is the change of her attitude when learning the language. At first she saw no point and didn't want to continue to learn it but then later in life she realises the importance of family thus re learning the language so she can share it and speak to her parents no that her grandfather had passed on. In life today teenagers ain't very appreciative in having their grandparents but as they get older they realise the importance and privilege they have in having grandparents and importunately by then it is too late for most people. This links back to her attitude towards her grandfather when she was young as she didn't appreciate having him around and then after when he passed on and she got a bit older she regrets this and now wants to share what she has with her mother. She now talks to her mother in public in Chinese which I think is a big change in attitude and this is a positive thing. 

Why Does It Matter - Take Me Away Lily Chan

Read any story that we haven't read yet and write a review of the story and explain why it matters. Why should anyone care about the story/read it?


Take Me Away - Lily Chan


In this story the author explains to us the life of a little Chinese child who is at school but after school goes to his parents restaurant to work there and help them out. Every day after school he would go there and do his homework while his parents would work til late at night. He would take calls and tell his parents the orders and when he got a break he would watch television or play outside.


I think this is a very good story as it shows us how life for a Chinese family is in Australia and what lengths they have to go to, to earn money and provide for their family. This story also shows the difficulties this family have had to experience such as making their children work for them and do their homework inside a shop. This isn't a good environment for a child at a young age and especially not good if they have to go there every day after school. Compared to an Australian family who may own a restaurant they would either leave their kids at home and give them that responsibility, get someone to mind them in afternoons or drop them over to a relatives house where they can do their homework and relax. Instead they are in a business environment that they should not have to experience until later in their life. Even though there may benefits such as responsibility and the experience of counting money and getting into the feel of running a business, these are things that can be learnt very easily later in their life when they need these skills to actually start and maintain a business. There is obviously a major contrast between Australian families and immigrant families in the way they live every day life and the choices they make with their children and between themselves. 


This family has a competing restaurant down the street who owned a Hong Kong restaurant. Even though they were competitors they were family friends and celebrated many Chinese events together. This would not happen though because they are competing restaurants. If there were other Chinese family's in the community they wouldn't be friends but because  there isn't these two families are friends. This starts to give us a perspective of the story and its "moral." 

My First Kiss By Lian Low

1. How does the author describe Malaysia in regards to showing affection?

The first few sentences state ''I never saw people share mouth to mouth kisses' this represents people showing effecting to each other but obviously in Malaysia it isn't done in this way. 

2. What happens to the author when she hits puberty?

She didn't grow big breasts but instead ''Envied her father's flat chest.'' This caused her not to be as popular and white girls wouldn't approach her or talk to her. 

3. What is the author’s experience at school when she first arrives to Melbourne?

She is very quiet and wasn't one to contribute to ''Oh he's soo hot!'' conversations about the new kids. She fantasied about flying like Superman and played chess at lunch time. She was also put into the ESL class for English. 

4. What is it that made the author feel that she wasn’t Australian even though she spoke English fluently?

That only overseas Asian kids would approach her no other white people. 

5. What else was it about the author that further alienated her from her peers?

That she was placed in the ESL English class and didn't make many friends until Year 11 when she enrolled in literature and received one of the highest marks in Year 12 literature. 

6. What does the use of description like ‘crash hot’ do to the audience’s perception of the author?

7. What opportunity does university give the author? What is it about university which would allow her to express herself more freely?

She got her real first kiss because she was making a film that she wanted to have a have a kissing scene in. This allowed her to open up more freely. 

8. What role does creativity play for the author? Why do you think that creativity would be so important to her?

Teenage Dreamers By Phillip Tang

1. What are the first two sentences of the story and how do they create a tension in the story?

My father had a sixth sense. He knew when people would die. This creates tension as we can tell something bad has happened or may happen later on in the story. 

2. What has happened to the author’s father as a result of his wife’s death?

He became obsessed with Leslie Cheung who was a popular singer.

3. How does the description of the father removing his hands from his face as ‘unmasked’ related to the seriousness of his following statement?

As this was very serious matter and was not funny at all thus he removes his hands from his face and says ''He's going to die next month.'' What makes this a serious statement is the fact the he mentions death and it is coming soon. This is why he removes his hands from his face as he didn't want to hind behind this. 

4. Consider how the father lives his life and conducts himself and the other people in the theatre for the film the author and his father are watching. How does this relate to the title of the story?

He is living as a teenager would like to as he follows popular singers and goes to all their concerts. Old men wouldn't do this but he does. He is living the life of a teenager. 

Conversations With My Parents By Oanh Thi Tran

1.What is ironic about the way the author and the father become close? What has to happen to the father?

It is ironic because they were healthy and young but weren't close to each other than became sick and Oanh then became close with him again.

2. How would you characterise the conversation that the author has with her parents?

A short and cliche conversation.

3. What is it that worries the author most about these conversations?

That she never tells them that she loves them.

4. There is a gap between the author’s need to express feelings common in western countries and her family’s lack of desire to express their feelings verbally. How does the family still express their feelings for their child, just not verbally?
They pressure her to live like they did by buying Vietnamese groceries and talking about meals such as Banh Xeo

Lessons From My School Years By Ray Wing-Lun

1.There is a stark contrast created in the opening of this story between what the narrator had been doing before entering school and what will be expected at school? What is this contrast and what does it immediately create in the story?

Before the narrator came to school he had been doing nothing exciting but now he is at school he cant wait to play on the playground and have fun. There is a contrast between his old boring life to his new exciting adventurous life. 

2. The author continues this theme of contrast at the start of the story. How does he do this in his description of his experience of Sydney’s North Shore?

The author describes the Sydney's North Shore was not for him as he didn't like leafy green streets or solid brick houses. His world revolved around the stretch of shops along the highway , a back lane where mechanics drove cars backwards and forwards, the railway line behind the back lane and the library and park at the end of the lane. This is how he describes the where he lives in Sydney's North Shore.

3. What was the father’s background in business before he opened the fruit shop? What has helped him become successful?

Before he came to Australia he could not speak English and had no business experience. The attributes he has as a person that helped him become successful are he drew customers in with his wide smile, he was keen to ask what people wanted and was very friendly and chatted to all his customers. 

4. The narrator’s description of his father is complex. What makes the father a complex character?

That he is such a nice person who runs a very successful business. He never used to speak English and had no business experience before owning his fruit shop. This shows the great character he has because obviously did not have a lot but now has come to a different country, started a family and runs a successful business. 

5. (91) How does the author describe his role in doing ‘things that counted’?

He has to listen to what his family has to tell him about school to learn what is right and wrong. This is the only way for him to learn as he doesn't like asking questions. 

6. What experience does the author have at school while keeping to himself? What does he learn from this experience?

His bad experience is him at school as he is the only asian in an Australian school. He doesn't talk to anyone and keeps to himself and he learns to be nice and friendly to people. 

7. How would you characterise the narrator’s tone in regards to the events that are occurring around him?

The narrator uses a mono tone and sees the world in a horrible way. His expectations are very different to real life which makes a very one sided view. 

8. How does the narrator characterise the ways that one could ‘get the strap’ and ways that one could avoid it?

He characterizes it as very easy and hard to avoid. A couple ways to avoid the strap would be to mispel words, get and answer wrong or walk very fast or very slow.

9. What event evokes a racist speech to the class by the teacher?

The boy could not swim and his sister wrote him a note so he didn't have to swim in the carnival. The teacher reads it to the class and adds ''We all know these Chinese people never contribute to anything.''

10. What effect did the author’s experience with ‘Strap Happy Jack’ have on him?

It made him think about the the few Chinese people in the area and think about racist comments which don't mean much but have little affect on the population. 

11. What was the one advantage school provided the author?

That when he went through high school some teachers noticed his talents and one teacher told him his test scores reflect he has a very bright future. 

12. What did the author do at his school? What was his motivation for doing it? What did he feel was lacking at school?

He started a workshop program the motivation was that he did something that he enjoyed and he had to the interest to set boundaries for the program. He thought the school lacked the ability to give him the choice to choose his own future. 

13. What did the parents want their son to do at school? What did the author fear would happen by obeying his parents?

They wanted their song to pick a specific profession. His mum wanted him to be a doctor something that he didn't want to do. He felt like he would have to choose a path based on the teachers decision.

14. At school, what did the author learn about his own type of thinking and how to use it?
He learned his thinking was very different to everyone else and he has to follow this thinking to benefit the most from it.

The Relative Advantages of Learning My Language By Amy Choi

1) The author makes us consider what it really means about understanding someone's language? What basic human skill/ability is the author highlighting that cuts across all cultures?
The basic skill/ability is to respect your elders. You should listen to them because they have had many past experiences and know what they are talking about. Communication is also a big point because by communication you can understand other people and their point of view.

2) Describe a time when you were at fault for not communicating with someone because of your own selfishness or lack of compassion.
One time when I did something wrong, someone else got in trouble instead of me and then I didn't put my hand up and say it was my fault, instead I was selfish and they got in trouble instead of me. 

The Early Settlers By Ken Chau

1. How does this title refer to two groups of ‘settlers’? Who are they?

White settlers and the Asian settlers. 

2. How is the first line of the poem successful at being ‘forceful’ regarding the Great-Grandfather’s presence in Australia?

As this line ''Great Grandfather arrived'' is put forward in a forceful way and the wording that is used suggests this. It is almost making us think that he can do what he wants. 

3. What action are the ‘early settlers’ doing that gives them equally a strong presence?

The are establishing strength and act is if they own the area and show the other settlers they are there as well and wont be pushed around. 

4. How is the intention of the Great-Grandfather juxtaposed to the beliefs of the ‘early settlers’?

He just wants to grow corn cabbage tobacco whereas the other settlers believe that they are terrorists. The juxtaposition is that they just want to farm but are seen as devils.    

5. What action does the Great-Grandfather do that ties him both to the ‘early settlers’ and to his own culture?

He gets caught talking his own language. 

6. How does this short poem highlight the irony of the hatred that immigrants experience when they come to a 'settled' land like Australia?

The irony is straight away without even knowing the person her great grandfather called him a ''Fucking Bastard.'' 

The Relative Advantages of Learning My Language By Amy Choi

The Relative Advantages of Learning my Language by Amy Choi

1. The author opens the story with an anecdote. What is the anecdote and what effect does it have on the reader?

The anecdote is that the author ''Was never really kind to her grandfather.'' This is the opening sentence and from this sentence we can tell that the author wasn't very close with her grandfather. It makes the reader sad and feel sorrow for the author and grandfather and makes us want to read on and gather more information about this. 

2. What is the author’s view of the Chinese language in the 2^nd paragraph?

That there was no point in being able to speak Chinese even though the author grew up learning it as a first language. They lived in Australia and the author thought there was no point in being able to speak it as at school they spoke English and when they watched T.V. it was in English. 

3. What is symbolic about the house that the Grandfather mistakes for his own? What does it say about the assimilation of his family into Australian culture? What does it say about his understanding of Australian culture? What is ironic about the inhabitants of this house?

That even though the house belonged to a family (Pakistan) that was a different culture there were some similarities such as the yellow rose bush, the painted timber mailbox and the Ford Falcon parked out of the front of the house. It shows us Australia is a very multicultural place but these people have many similarities such as the plants they like or the cars they have. 

4. What does the death of her grandfather inspire the author to do?

It makes her feel regret and she learns Chinese again. 

5. Why is she motivated to know Chinese? What is it she wants to ensure she is able to, regretting that she couldn’t do it with her grandfather?

As it was part of her grandfathers culture and it was a part of what he loved to do so she wanted to do this for him. She wants to make sure she can learn Chinese so she can speak it with her mother something she didn't do with her grandfather and regrets now that he is dead. She does not want to regret anything when her mother eventually dies and thus learns Chinese. 

Pigs From Home By Hop Dac

Pigs from Home by Hop Dac

1. How does the author start this story which is in direct contrast to the title of the story? What effect does this have on the reader and their expectations of the story?

The author starts the story by talking about pigs which relates back to the title pigs from home. It changes what we think is going to happen in the chapter and are thoughts on the author's story. 

2. What core Vietnamese value is instilled in the author?

That any good Vietnamese family was a self sustaining one.

3. What is humorous about the mother’s ‘flair for natural medicine’ in regards to her personality?

As she is a hypochondriac and is afraid of being unhealthy and has an obsession with her house being filled with healthy and vitamin giving plants. 

4. How does the description of the killing of pigeons continue the style utilised in the introduction of the story?

It relates back to the author's hate of pigs and slaughtering them. 

5. What is the author’s opinion of pigs? Give two quotes to support your conclusion.

The author hates pigs and this is supported by these two quotes ''Pigs are by far the worst smelling'' and ''No pig has ever been a friend of mine.''

6. In the paragraph on pgs 53-54, give two examples of alliteration employed by the author.

''Blowing raspberries on the bellies of babies'' and ''Feeding frenzy.''

7. On pg 54 what simile is used to describe pigs? How does this simile work for the situation it is used?

A big is like the ocean don't turn your back on it. This works for the situation needed as the author is saying not to trust pigs cause you don't know what they will do or in the case of the ocean you don't know whats coming next.

8. What simile does the author use to describe her mother sunning herself? How does this relate to the 

core focus of the story?

''The only reason she would leave the house was to sun herself by standing in the driveway and turning herself slowly like a rotisserie chicken.'' The idea of a roasting chicken links back to the animals and the hate for some of them such as pigs. 

9. What does the author describe as ‘the divide between the old world and the new’? What do you think is meant by this statement?

The part where the authors grandma killed a duck by banging it onto the ground, then de-feathered it and made congee out if it. This would be normal many years ago but now it is considered as animal cruelty and no one kills animals like this in this day and age. Which relates back to the difference between now and back many years ago.

10. What is the author’s reaction to the slaughter of the pig at night? What statement does the author make about the neighbours which displays the way he feels about the whole experience? What is important about including this statement?

The author was very upset in the way the pig was killed and by the blood gushing from its throat. The statement the author makes about the neighbors is ''I thought about our neighbors, the girls that caught the school bus with us and wondered if they had heard the commotion. It is important as these men aren't feeling about the pain they are causing to the pig but the author is thinking that if she felt this bad about the screeching of the pig how would the neighbours feel if they hear this. 

11. Why don’t the parents have pigs anymore? How does this relate to the description of the burial of the last pig they owned?

As they have a friend called Reg who gives them all the pork they need. Tam and the author helped him bury the pig and used their T-shirts to tie around their faces to cover up the smell.

12. How would you characterise the description of the mother’s treatment of the pig’s blood? Is it appetising?

As she adds all of these very tasty ingredients to the pig and stops the blood flowing by putting salt on it. This hardens the blood making it eatable. No it isn't appetising unless you like pigs blood. 

13. What is ironic about the way the author has a popular Vietnamese dish? What is it about the way the author describes the experience of having pigs that makes it ironic?

The author hates pigs and thinks they are smelly and disgusting creatures but enjoy's eating them and their blood. The author describes the way the pig is killed as very gruesome, the author hates the appearance and smell of the pig but loves eating it and thinks it is really tasty. 

14. How does this story relate to the title Pigs from Home?

The whole story is about the Pigs that her family used to slaughter and kill for food for various parties or dinners. This reminds him of the cooking done by his mother back at home.

15. Why do you think this story is in the Battlers section of the book?

As the story relates back to situation's where the pig has to battle for its life or the author has to battle when seeing the pig being slaughtered or the duck being killed and gutted.