10 ESSENTIAL ENGLISH PLANNING WORKSHEET
1. Find an interesting quote
about literature or write a
definition for the term ‘story’.
2. Why do you think stories
has remained popular
throughout time?
3. What is the title of your
novel?
Touch Me
4. Who is the author?
James Moloney
5. Using a one word or a
short phrase what is the
main idea in this novel?
Coming of age novel, teenage obstacles
6. What is the message the
Be yourself, don’t judge others by how they look, you
author wants the audience to don’t have to change yourself for others, you don’t have
learn from this novel?
to limit yourself
Working with a partner
brainstorm two possible
themes.
7. What literary devices does
the author use to examine
the themes?
Non-linear narrative (two characters narrating the
novel)
8. Write down a possible
thesis statement.
Sexism is explored through the novel Touch Me
because……….(How Xavier and Nuala experience
sexism)
Thesis = theme + literary
devices
Characters
List two examples where the theme is explored through the characters in your novel.
Provide a quote and explain how the quote supports your answer.
Example
1) When the girls want
to join in on the boys
touch football. The
boys tell them they
can’t play
Quote
Effect
“This is a blokes’ game” (pg It sexualises the sport.
10)
Stereotype that only boys
“No, we didn’t come to
play sport.
watch”, “We’ve come to
play” (pg 9)
It negatively affects the
girls self-esteem.
“It will slow things up a bit”
(pg 10)
“
2)
The boys reaction to
Nuala’s appearance at the
train station
“Thirty metres away, a boy
stood apart from the rest,
gradually attracting the
attention of everyone
around him” (pg 11)
Nuala is being misgendered
for wearing the boys
uniform. Clothing has no
gender.
Setting
List two examples where the theme is explored through the setting in your novel.
Provide a quote and explain how the quote supports your answer.
Example
1)
The train station – When
Xavier first sees Nuala
walking into the bathroom
Quote
“No, I mean did you see
where that bloke went just
now” (page 12)
Effect
Nuala is a female wearing
male clothes and Xavier
assumes this makes her a
boy. However she walks
into the female bathroom.
2)
Footy fields – when the girls
want to play against the boys.
“Get off! You’re supposed to
touch me, not grope me” –
Clarissa yelled. (page 22)
Some of the boys (Luke) are
taking advantage of the girls. This
can make the girls feel inferior.
When the boys and girls play
and Clarissa gets groped
“Luke bounced up and down in
one spot, knowing she had to
stand in front of him to play the
ball” (page 22)
The girls can feel uncomfortable
and may not want to play touch
football again.
Plot
List two examples where the theme is explored through the plot in your novel. Provide
a quote and explain how the quote supports your answer.
Example
1) Nuala’s ex boyfriend
photoshops pictures
of her face on
someone elses body.
This includes the
body of a girl in a
bikini. The pictures
were revenge for
Nuala breaking up
with Gavin
2)
Xavier takes Nuala to his
school formal and she
wears a suit, including coat
tails. Xavier’s friends react
negatively
Quote
“Why? Why did they do it to
her” he demanded “Cause
she dropped him, that’s
why.” (pg 79)
Effect
It was unfair to Nuala to
circulate false private
photos. She did not
consent and was ridiculed
by others.
“They were so fake,”
Lyndall said in disgust.
“You could see how they
put them together” (pg 78)
“I can’t believe you brought
her like that, Xave. It
makes you part of a f***ing
freak show” Scott spat at
him savagely” (p 149)
“If she wants to be some
kind of gender-bender over
at Lawson….” (p. 149)
“The cross dressing’s a
joke”
“You bring some queer
lesbian in a f***ing suit to
the formal…..” (p 147)
Conclusion
Nuala is expected to wear
traditional girl clothes and
is discriminated against by
Xavier’s friends for wearing
a suit to his formal. They
use derogatory terms
against Nuala and Xavier.
Restate your thesis using
slightly different words
Restate your main points
What lesson about life can
the audience learn from
this novel?