Encountering
Conflict
WRITING IN CONTEXT
What is writing in context?
 Area of Study 2 – Creating and Presenting
 In this area of study is on reading and writing and
their interconnection.
 The set texts will be read in order to identify, discuss
and analyse ideas about ‘Encountering Conflict’
 You will also need to explore the relationship
between purpose, form, audience and language and
how they are used to construct meaning
 You will need to use the ideas you identify through
class discussion to create your own texts exploring
the idea of ‘Encountering Conflict’
An approach to Writing in Context
The Text
The Ideas
Writing in Context
The Prompt
Five big ideas about conflict
 Conflicts involve a clash of ideas, interests and
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expectations
People’s responses to conflict vary
Conflict occurs between the powerful and the
powerless
Conflicts may be difficult to resolve
Conflict can be a catalyst for change
Conflicts involve a clash of ideas, interests
and expectations
 There are many types of conflict
 All conflicts, share a similar cause – they are often born from
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clashing ideas ,competing interests and expectations
Societies are made up of many different people who all hold
different views and values.
It is how conflicting ideas and ideologies are addressed that
will determine the nature of any conflict.
Conflict, whether at a global or personal level, is often a
result of miscommunication.
Conflict is also often caused through a fear of who and what
is different.
Conflicts are rarely ever one-sided.
People’s responses to conflict vary
 We all encounter and experience some sort of
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conflict in our lives
Individuals respond to conflict in different ways
dependent on their background and past
experience of dealing with conflict
Responses to conflict are also influenced by rules
and laws, both informal and formal
Violence is an extreme response to conflict
Not all violence involves physical harm or
bloodshed
Conflict occurs between the powerful and
the powerless
 In some cases those in positions of power will find
it beneficial or advantageous to initiate conflict
with those who have less power
 Minority groups, such as particular racial or
religious groups, may find themselves in conflict
with the majority in their society
 Powerful people may also have greater resources
available to them to help resolve it
Conflicts may be difficult to resolve
 In most conflicts, the parties involved can imagine
a resolution
 On a global scale, for a solution to a conflict to
work, threats to a country’s security or
independence must be ruled out
 In conflicts between nations, the United Nations
attempts to negotiate solutions
Conflict can be a catalyst for change
 Conflict can be difficult and will often have tragic
results, it can also be a catalyst for social and
political change or personal growth
 All arguments and debates are a form of conflict
and even families benefit from the respectful
expression of different ideas and views
 Without conflict, we don’t grow
 We often learn what we think and who we are by
being confronted by ideas we don’t agree with
The texts
 Semester 1 – Unit 3
 The Rugmaker of Mazar-e-Sharif
 Semester 2 – Unit 4
 Life of Galileo
Sources
 Robert Hillman, Encountering Conflict: Identifying
the Big Ideas, Insight English for Yr 12, Insight
Publications 2007
 VCAA, English/ESL Study Design, Victorian
Curriculum and Assessment Authority 2006, p.40