Assessment 2: Year 9 Persuasive Speech on ‘The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf”.
“This is the real world.”
The real world is unpredictable and twisted but nonetheless beautiful and alluring.
The novel The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf is all these things.
Good morning/evening representative panellists of the Australian Curriculum,
Assessment and Reporting Association. My name is Anusha Thapa and I am a
student in year 9 at Indooroopilly State High School. I ask you to carefully consider
using the power you have over the Australian curriculum to instate a change for the
better.
As such, the novel written by Ambelin Kwaymullia: The Interrogation of Ashala
Wolf should be included in the year 9 English curriculum because of its many
exceptional qualities that fit within ACARA’s standards, the novel’s ties with
Australia’s Aboriginal cultures, and the relatability of the characterisation to a
contemporary audience.
This novel explores themes and ideas linking to Aboriginal culture and beliefs which
are notable in Australia and its education. This would ameliorate learning about
Aboriginal cultures into the curriculum in a new and effective way, resulting in a
deeper knowledge of these topics.
As stated on the ACARA official website, 'students must explore and reflect on
personal understandings of the world and human experience in literature drawn from
cultures and times different from their own’ through analysis of literary texts created
by and about Aboriginal and Torres-strait Islander peoples…'., Authored by an
Aboriginal lady, this novel explores underlying themes, myths and legends, hence,
interlacing with Aboriginal culture which is a part of the school curriculum and moulds
learning about this with other aspects of the curriculum therefore making this novel
undoubtably relevant to the curriculum.
‘This is the real world’
Anusha Thapa - ENGP091I – Mrs Ryan
Assessment 2: Year 9 Persuasive Speech on ‘The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf”.
World issues and personal issues are tackled every day, in high school, students are
learning how to interpret and approach these problems. In this novel, the characters
also confront many of these problems providing relatability and building empathy for
the intended audience - adolescents.
Additionally, this book’s genre is Sci-fi, fantasy fiction and dystopian, it is like a lot of
the popular books within this age group such as The Hunger Games. This, linked
with a complex plot makes this an extraordinary book. “Only surely she had to realise
that detention centre 3 wasn’t the same as other centres…” Highlighting real-world
problems such as detention centres, social normalities, power, denial of citizenship,
separation of children from their families and many more, the themes are a reflection
on the past and present of our current world as it follows the story of the escape from
a detention centre.
Real-life issues are tackled in day to day life. Everywhere. All the time.
Students need to learn and with this, they will.
Above all, quality and refinement of the Australian school curriculum is what you
(ACARA) are known for. I have carefully researched on your website on how you
choose the literature we study and what kinds of things you consider to be important
to be included in the year 9 curriculum and I firmly recommend that this novel is to be
included because it has many of the qualities you look for and undoubtedly meets all
standards you have set.
I quote from the official ACARA website: in the curriculum students must “Explore
and reflect on representations of people and values (e.g. Love, freedom, integrity) in
literature drawn from cultures and times different from the student’s own.”
Where this novel exceeds is in its relatability and in the way it transcends its genre
and setting to convey greater ideas on values and culture.
If you were to pick up a novel off a shelf, would you go for a book meant for young
adults or something that appealed to your maturity level?
This book is relatable, exploring love, freedom, friendship, and integrity through realworld issues. Written in effective and interesting way, students will more likely
actively take part and for that and all the reasons I have provided in my speech I
Anusha Thapa - ENGP091I – Mrs Ryan
Assessment 2: Year 9 Persuasive Speech on ‘The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf”.
could not recommend more highly to ACARA that this novel be included in the Year
9 curriculum.
The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf must be included in the year 9 English curriculum
because of its many exceptional qualities that fit within ACARA’s standards, the
novel’s ties with Australia’s Aboriginal cultures, and the relatability of the
characterisation to adolescents.
This novel would be a phenomenal addition to the curriculum.
Now, you know the change, make the change and be the change.
Thank you for listening, I hope you take into consideration of this novel being
included in the curriculum. Thankyou for your time.
~3:30 mins
Anusha Thapa - ENGP091I – Mrs Ryan