Critical Literacy: Butterflies, Lift + and Drake

What kind of language is used in this text?

The grandparents used bad English, possibly because they are uneducated, and maybe English is their second language.

What is this text about, how do you know?

I think this text is about how people have different perspectives based on their experiences. For example, the grandparents see butterflies as pests. However, the granddaughters teacher sees them as harmless beautiful creatures.

What does the author want us to know?

That people have different opinions and perspectives. But I also think she wanted to shed light on the fact that people were treated very differently based on the way they look back when this story takes place.

How are characters constructed in this text?

It seems that the grandparents are portrayed as not knowing English perfectly, perhaps from not having a very good education. There's a possibility that they are poor, as they grow their own food instead of buying it, but then again that might just be what they prefer. They're very proud of their granddaughter, which you can tell by the way the grandfather boasts about how clever she is to their neighbour.

The granddaughter doesn't understand why her teacher thinks what she's doing is bad, and the teacher doesn't understand why the granddaughter doesn't see anything wrong with it.

What kinds of social realities does the text portray?

That people don't always understand other peoples reasoning for doing certain things or having certain opinions, along with other social realities that the author (Patricia Grace) witnessed as she was growing up.

 

How are characters constructed in this video?

The guy getting hit on the head with a spoon is portrayed as not being very smart

What is the video about? How do we know?

Its an advertisement, encouraging people to drink Lift + because it makes you smarter. The tagline 'Sharpen up' supports this idea.

What different interpretations of this video are possible?
A fair number of probably will probably only see this is a comedic Lift+ advertisement. However, others could interpret this as generalising New Zealanders and Islanders as being immature.

How are characters constructed in this video?
The man getting hit on the head with a spoon is depicted as being... not very observational, to say the least.

Who benefits from the video?

Viewers who want whiter and stronger teeth, or maybe people with sensitive teeth, as although it isn't said in the video, Sensodyne is known for making toothpaste suitable for people with sensitive teeth (as far as I'm aware, anyway).

Whose views are excluded or privileged from this video?

There are no interviews or clips in this video of buyers/customers who have actually tried this toothpaste, and whether they think it actually works. Then again, usually when companies do include buyers opinions in their advertisements it seems fairly scripted, which does help with marketing, but most of the time it isn't actually their opinion.

What do the images suggest?

It would seem that the person being filmed/interviewed is either a dentist or an orthodontist, or something similar, and that the toothpaste they're selling whitens and strengthens your teeth.

It this video fair?

Considering theirs a 50/50 chance the person in this video is getting paid to say what she's saying, and there are no other clips of other people recommending it. I don't think it is, if you're referring to whether it's an unbiased point of view.

What is the text about? How do we know?

This video is mostly centered around a child going around and almost destroying everything, and it's about getting insurance to avoid needing to be careful all the time.

Who benefits from this video?
People who need insurance, and are looking for an insurance company with an insurance plan suitable for them.

Who is the most likely audience of this text and why?
It's an advertisement, so probably people who are watching TV, but not necessarily people who need insurance specifically.

What do the words suggest?

That if you have insurance with this company you can live more care free. I find it funny in a way, because these insurance advertisements almost make it seem like people with insurance really do things like this, when in reality, most normal people wouldn't let their kids ride around their house on a bicycle destroying everything. Just because you have insurance doesn't mean you're going to go and purposely risk spilling wine all over a white rug just because you can replace it for free. Well. Apparently this guy is,

Who benefits from this music video?

All the people in this video who he gave money and free things to, fans who got to meet their idol, his fans in general.

Who is the most likely audience of this video and why?
Probably Drake's fans, because they like his music and enjoy listening to it. People who like this genre of music in general

What is this music video about? How do we know?
I think this music video is about Drake's life, the music industry, and how even though there are a lot of people who want to try and bring him down, he's still going up.

What does the author want us to know?
That even though people are trying to bring him down he's going to keep going and keep making music, because he believes that it's 'God's Plan'.

The Trolley: By Patricia Grace

What kinds of social realities does this text portray?
That a lot of people can't afford to buy presents for their children or their other family.

How are the characters constructed in this text?
You can tell that Tania loves her children, and that she wants the best for them, and wants to be able to buy them nice expensive gifts like the other kids in their neighbourhood. You can also tell that Miria and Hoani appreciate the effort their mother went to to make their trolley.

Who is missing from this text?
There was no mention of a father, so I would assume he isn't in Tania, Miria, and Hoani's life, but I could be wrong.

What has been left out of this text?
It doesn't mention what time this story is set place, or whereabouts, but I'd assume it's New Zealand, considering the writer is known for writing stories about Maori people and injustice.