Conceptualizing
Belonging….
• explores a concept
• examines how it can be represented in
different texts
• analyses how notions of belonging can
impact on our perceptions of self and our
place in the world
• triggers personal reflection
Connections to:
Family
Place
Cultural background
Culture
Community
Nation
begin at birth
Religion
Culture, Heritage
Patriotism, Nationalism
& Culture
Friendship
A sense of Not Belonging however
can generate negative feelings of:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Alienation
Disaffection
Estrangement
Dislocation
Isolation
Marginalisation
Rebellion
There are
strong,
instinctive
forces that
promote
unity
within a
group.
‘By building relations we create a source of love and personal
pride and belonging that makes living in a chaotic world easier’.
Susan Lieberman
Texts can explore positive associations
with belonging
Texts can also explore the
problems connected with not
belonging
Trying to fit in or conform
But never quite managing to
Having to
hide who
you want
to be
Secret
Identity
Coping with…
Exclusion
Marginalisation
Isolation
Fractured self - image
Exclusion can result from…
Aggression and Intimidation
Racism and
Prejudice
Tyranny
Armed Conflict
Displacement and resettlement
Recapping:
Our intuitive need to belong can:
• Have both positive and negative
•
•
•
•
consequences
Shape our individuality and sense of self
Can influence our beliefs, actions and
emotions
Dictate our view of the world-mindset
Be textually represented in various ways
You are to create your own narrative that deals with ideas related to your AOS.
Remember the basic structure of a narrative:
Orientation- This is the start of your story where you introduce the main
characters and describe the setting (time and place). It is important that you
draw the reader into the story.
Complication- The complication is essentially where a problem is introduced.
This will be a challenge for the main characters. This will drive the majority of
the action for the story.
Resolution- This is where the main problem presented is resolved.
Some variations exist. There can be a coda which is where the author makes
concluding remarks which gives the reader an indication of what will happen in
the future.
Remember that your story should be engaging and include high modality. Use
descriptive language where possible.
Picture book
 Mirror
 Jeannie Baker
Autobiography
 The Happiest
Refugee
 Anh Do
Picture book
 The Little Refugee
 Anh Do and Suzanne
Do
 Illustrated by Bruce
Whatley
Young adult novel
 Little Brother
 Cory Doctorow
Young adult novel
Destroying
Avalon
by Kate
McCaffrey
Young adult novel
Does My
Head Look
Big in This?
Randa
Abdel-Fattah
Young adult novel
Ten Things I
Hate About
Me
Randa
Abdel-Fattah