Connected Texts Study
The
Things
They
Carried
Having completed the table of connections between the shared novel and film texts, you will independently
choose a total of three linked texts – two extended texts (novel, film, play) and one shorter text (e.g. poem,
short story, etc. at least 100 words long). At least ONE of the three linked texts must be studied
independently by you and one of the extended texts should be the novel or film shared by the class.
These three texts will form the basis of an independent study for which you will put into words a specific
problem, question or thesis that will result in either an essay or presentation to the class.
The length should be 500 to 1000 words or 3 to 7 min. oral presentation (or equivalent in multimodal forms).
 Of the two extended texts only one may be a film (either Tigerland or an independently studied film)
 There should be evidence of a development in ideas through a series of journal responses leading
to your final topic and essay. This journal of at least 500 words will not be marked separately but
may moderate the mark for your essay.
 The ‘grounds for comparison’ are up to you to decide but our exercise comparing Tigerland with The
Things They Carried should give you ideas on how to go about looking for connections.
 Some possible connected texts might be:
o The Things They Carried, “The Sniper” (short story by Liam O'flaherty) and a film of your
choice
o Tigerland, Johnny Got His Gun (novel) and a short story or poem of your choice
o The Things They Carried, Platoon (film) and a poem by Wilfred Owen, Robert Lowell,
Kenneth Slessor or Bruce Dawe
Assessment Criteria
The Connected Texts essay / presentation will be assessed on the extent to which it demonstrates the following:
Knowledge

To what extent does the student demonstrate knowledge and show understanding of the ideas in
texts?
Understanding

How effectively does the student recognise and/or explain how techniques are used by the author(s)
to express ideas?

How well does the student recognise the values, beliefs or concerns explored in the texts?

To what extent is the student aware of the interaction of the reader and the author(s)?
Analysis

How clearly does the student identify both similarities and differences between the texts?

To what extent does the student connect more than one aspect of the texts?

How well does the student analyse the features identified in the connections?
Communication

How accurate and fluent is the student’s expression?

How appropriate are the form and register for the audience and purpose?
The journal will be read for evidence of developing ideas towards the final topic and essay, and further evidence
of the above criteria to support the final essay’s assessment.
Timeline:



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Table of connections between the shared novel and film texts: week 4, term 4
Journal & Topic: Tuesday, week 5 (list of texts, notes of comparisons, quotations, essay
question)
Draft: Friday, week 5, term 4
Final: Tuesday, week 6, term 4
Journal responses and formative work
Make notes on the following:

What common ideas are presented in the texts?

What personal reactions / responses do you have to specific features in them?

Identify and write out particular quotations that seem important to the texts.

Explain in detail certain similarities, comparisons and contrasts between the texts.

Finally, draw up a table like the Tigerland / The Things They Carried one for your THREE
texts and, with specific “grounds for comparison” identified in your earlier journal notes,
make detailed NOTES & QUOTATIONS
Possible links may be:
Courage, heroism and fear in war; the protagonist’s journey; growth and change; the
truth of storytelling; etc.
Possible directions for topics
The following are merely suggestions to guide you in developing your OWN topic that should be
generated by a genuine curiosity to explain some question, idea or issue common to all three texts.
Personal engagement
How have the three texts used a particular kind of personal journey to powerfully engage an
audience with the issues of courage and heroism in war?
Themes
“Truth is stranger than fiction, but it is because Fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities; Truth
isn't.” How does this observation from the writer Mark Twain relate to your three texts?
Characterisation
Characters actions and decisions are often based on their strengths and weaknesses. How have the
authors of your three texts used the significant consequences of their main characters’ decisions to
reveal themes important to those texts (e.g. Bozz’s decision to return to the platoon in Tigerland)?
Settings
Geographical and social contexts have a great impact on both characters’ circumstances and our
understanding of them. How do Tigerland and The Things They Carried use conflicting ideas of
courage in their specific versions of the Vietnam War?