politics

=Australian Politics=

Our class was quite small today, so we did not do the Compulsory Voting essay in class.toc Your essay is now due on Monday (22nd of November). The essay plan was due today (Thursday the 18th), and you now need to write your essay at home and email it to me BEFORE 11:35 am on Monday the 22nd. I will deduct 10% off each essay that I receive after this time.

Please read all info on this page carefully as it will help you in writing the essay.

Essay plan
Your essay plan HAS to be in the following form:

Title: Compulsory voting is good/bad for Australian politics (choose your position)

Three main arguments to introduce:
 * 1) Most important argument
 * 2) Second most important argument
 * 3) Third important argument

Paragraph 1: Argument 1: (Repeat from intro in slightly different words...) Main supporting information:
 * Bullet point 1
 * Bullet point 2 [[image:essay_hamburger.jpg width="464" height="303" align="right" caption="A hamburger is held together by the two buns. An essay is held together by the INTRO and the CONCLUSION. A paragraph is held together by the TOPIC SENTENCE and the LINKING SENTENCE. I would really like to eat this hamburger now. "]]

Paragraph 2: Argument 2: (Repeat from intro in slightly different words...) Main supporting information:
 * Bullet point 1
 * Bullet point 2

Paragraph 3: Argument 3: (Repeat from intro in slightly different words...) Main supporting information:
 * Bullet point 1
 * Bullet point 2

Conclusion : Summary of main points as outlined above, but try to use different wording. Concluding sentence which links back to the topic and your opinion. I'm putting little remarks in this text to test that you are still reading.

This is ALL you can take in with you. Extra bits of juicy information and facts to beef up your hamburger you will have to carry in your head. That means that your essay plan is basically a collection of bullet points of no more than three sentences per bullet point. **Email me when in doubt.**

Compulsory voting essay; resources.
This is a sample outline of arguments about compulsory voting: [|Compulsory Voting Essay sample plan.doc] You can use this one for your essay, or you can take a different position; that Compulsory Voting is bad and should be made voluntary. Some good links:
 * []
 * []
 * []
 * []
 * []
 * @http://www.check.have.you.downloaded/them/all_its_pure_gold.com
 * []

Writing an essay for Humanities
Writing an essay can be very easy if you follow a very simple plan.There are little remarks in this text too to check that you're reading it all. There are three parts to every essay. First the **introduction**, second **the body** and finally **the conclusion**. Each part is very important and is unique in its purpose. An essay should have at least (5) paragraphs. An essay should have at least (3) arguments or points. Each paragraph deals with a separate point of argument. Paragraphs are determined by the amount of points or arguments you have. For example if you have 6 arguments or points your essay will have 8 paragraphs. An introduction, 6 body paragraphs and a conclusion. Ms. V is looking at you.

An intro is just as the name suggests; it introduces. The reader of your essay will get a very good idea of what your essay is about by just reading the intro. It has three basics elements:
 * Introduction:**
 * State your contention
 * Give some basic information and define key terms
 * Outline your arguments or points
 * The school holidays start on the 8th of December.

Your contention is what you will argue eg. "Compulsory voting is bad for Australian politics". This point needs to be written in a captivating way to get your reader’s interest and Ms VW's interest. Basic info is just letting your reader know what compulsory voting is. Only one or two sentences is enough here. Your essay should have at least 3 main arguments. This is where you need to introduce, in one sentence each of your main points. Say Hi to miss Blaubaum, she's very nice.


 * ALL OF THE INTRODUCTION SHOULD BE ABOUT FIVE SENTENCES IN LENGTH**

This is where you argue and convince the reader you are right. You need at least 3 paragraphs. Each one is linked to the 3 main points that you have just outlined in your intro. They must follow in the same order they were introduced. You must always start with your most important or strongest points. You finish with your weakest point. Each part has its own formula as well. If you see this, pat yourself on the back.
 * Main Body:**
 * State your contention (topic sentence)
 * Supporting information (use of statistics is always helpful to support your point of view).
 * Alex, are you still reading?
 * Linking sentence to next point

Your conclusion is often the easiest part of an essay. Ms Davey is the best cluster leader ever. All you have to do is re-write your introduction in different words. About 4 sentences. There is one really, important thing that you need to do in the conclusion. NEVER and I mean NEVER introduce any NEW information in your conclusion. Return to your opening statement and use the example that best reinforces your point of view. Ms VW really loves these wikis....
 * Conclusion:**

Use a personal pronoun such as “I” I think I will My opinion || **DO’S** In place of 'I think' and so on …… use Many people believe …… It is thought that 9C is great.... It could be considered ……… || If you follow this formula you will succeed. And remember: Chewing gum makes people look less clever, so spit it out right now.
 * **DON’TS:**

Compulsory Voting: The debate (incl speeches!)
[|Debate_Argument Rebuttal Manner.doc] [|Debate_template_scripts.doc] [|Debate_procedures and roles.doc] Here are three speeches I received from the debate. You can perhaps use these for your essay: [|3 only speakers from the debate.doc] Annie's speech: [|Debate Speaker 1 Negative team.doc]

Pressure groups / Issues in the community:

 * 1) Explanation of the issues (2008): []
 * 2) March 4th 2010: Trucks on streets: []
 * 3) Explanation of rail plans: 13th of July: []
 * 4) 20th of July 2010: Residents reactions/letting know: []


 * || Video 1 || Video 2 || Video 3 || Video 4 ||
 * The issue ||  || _ || _ || _ ||
 * Community || _ || _ || _ || _ ||
 * Politics || _ || _ || _ || _ ||

Compulsory voting resources
Google search Go to the Notebook page for the notes on Compulsory Voting.

In groups of three, create a PMI Chart: Plusses, Minuses, and Interesting/Implications about the issue of Compulsory Voting.

Below is a Wordle cloud, made from the text you are pasting in your notebooks ([|isn_07_CompulsoryVoting.doc]). Wordle creates word clouds based on frequency. The most frequently used words are the largest, infrequent words are smaller. Obviously the words 'Compulsory' and 'Voting' are most frequently used. Which words come second and third?



Participating in democracy:
http://generationone.org.au/gallery/type/videos

Who represents me?
Useful links: State: [] State / Local: [] Federal: [] ==

Class movie election
On the 21st of October we will hold an in-class election for which movie we are watching on Thursday, 18th and Friday the 19th of November. You will be given a short list of movies and will use the same voting process as in a general election. Using preferential voting you will work out in groups which movie has won the election. More info soon.

Essential links about the preferential voting system:
 * []
 * Study this cartoon
 * http://www.aec.gov.au/democracy_rules/Runninganelection.pdf
 * Behind the news: Never fails to make things clear! (Pref. Voting Video)

The House of Representatives
Copy the questions below and use the internet to find the answers. Create an attractive looking with suitable illustrations. Stick it in your workbook when done.


 * 1) What is the role of the House of Representatives?
 * 2) How many representatives are there in the HoR?
 * 3) How does one become a member of the House of Representatives?
 * 4) What is a ”seat”? (in the political sense, of course)
 * 5) What is the Cabinet?
 * 6) How does “question time” work and what is its purpose?
 * 7) Which political parties are currently in the House of Representatives? Visit each party’s website and try to locate information that relates to that party’s aims, agendas, ideas and ideologies. Try as best as you can to find this information.
 * 8) How are the seats divided between the political parties?

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