VCE English

The comparative Argument Analysis will present you with two articles on the one issue.
You will be required to analyse both articles in relation to the use of language and
argument. You do not present your view on this issue in this task; you are simply analysing
two opinions on the issue in relation to how audiences are being persuaded to share the
authors' stance.

The practice issue we will be focussing on is:

'Women and Naked Selfies: Empowerment or Exploitation?'

There are, of course, many related issues tied in with the above and you are advised to
read the following articles to help you gain insights and help formulate your stance on the
topic. You can also conduct your own wider research into the issue (from both Australian
and international media sources. Please remember to note down any references).
Nude selfies a symptom of a self-obsessed
generation
Comment
September 8, 2014
Wendy Squires

Miley Cyrus: Could it be that she is talking some sense? Photo: Getty Images

Here's something I never thought I'd type: Miley Cyrus, you are a voice of reason.

The perky, twerking, singing poppet is someone I would normally file under exasperating; another overly confident Gen
Y-er hell-bent on attention and not afraid to and generate it.

However, it appears Miley might be growing up. When asked by Channel 7's Sunday Night program recently why she
posted on Instagram pictures of herself smoking marijuana, the 21-year-old answered: "Because I was brought up in the
way that we never thought marijuana was bad."

Now, judge that how you will. I, for one, applaud her honesty. Miley went on to explain what is dangerous in her view,
thus redeeming herself in mine. "You know what hurts your brain? Googling yourself. You know what hurts your brain?
Instagram."

Well Miley, high five, thank you, and me too. My brain is hurting big time, so full of mindless, look-at-me white noise
crapola it could burst. I am sick and tired of being surrounded – make that invaded – by those intent on putting their
faces (and lately arses) in mine.

It has slowly been getting to me, but lately I feel like Peter Finch in Network (Google it, kids): "I'm as mad as hell and I'm
not going go take this any more", because rampant narcissism is making me depressed, angry and alarmed.

I am sick of Instagram pics of barely clad so-called celebrities showing off their bods. I'm tired of Twitter trolls given air as
social commentary. I'm over pop stars thrusting their big booties in G-strings that could double as dental floss, and
seemingly climaxing every time they hit a high note. If I see another emaciated woman in a designer frock on a red
carpet I will vomit.

It's like the world is full of preening and posing would-bes and shouldn't-bes screaming "look at me". Turn away and
there's another on a Facebook feed, another airbrushed smug siren scowling from billboards, more people who should
know better allowing themselves to be degraded on tacky reality shows.

It is as if a large slap of the population is too busy looking at their reflections to see what's happening away from the
mirror or the smartphone lens; that everyone is so busy recording their every bowel motion they can't see the rubbish
that's going on in the real world.
Last week, as I searched news sites for updates on the latest IS beheadings, or whether more elements of the federal
budget have been passed, I had to wade through feeds full of celebrity selfies posing as news (a supermodel eating a
slice of pizza a case in point), news of attractive types (who all seem to blend in to one) promoting another beauty or diet
product they don't actually use or need, or other attractive types and their maybe relationships with other good looking
and/or wealthy types.

If we weighed up the amount of news space given to the 101 Hollywood actresses who had their phones and computers
hacked and nude photos leaked on the internet last week compared to, say, the starving in south Sudan, the crisis in
Crimea, the impending unravelling of our education and medical systems here in Australia, you'd find the results a very
humourless joke.

I could count the number of selfies I've taken on one hand. Minus dog, one digit. Apart from a few shots at Mole Check,
there are no nude pictures of myself in existence that I am aware of, and I can't see any need to change that situation in
a hurry. I know what I look like naked. I don't need to carry that image with me to check, admire or reveal to others. Call
me old fashioned.

About now, many of you are rolling your eyes and assuming that I am old. And you are right, I am at the pointy end of
Gen X and deliriously happy to be so. Because if being old means having a modicum of modesty and humility, then seal
me in amber. I am a happy fossil.

I have long wondered why and how this obsession with our own reflection has got so out of hand (don't people know
Narcissus drowned in his own reflection?) until I read a piece by an anonymous writer on women's website
mamamia.com.au last week answering my question.

"Why? Because taking naked photos is fun," Anon wrote, admitting that if her phone was hacked today photos of her
thighs, breasts, friends' breasts, and her partner's penis in a jar would be found. "When you're alone, or with someone
you trust, there's a crackle of taboo that makes it feel sexy, and exciting."

While I find Anon's pastime seriously sad, I also wonder why a USB stick and a safe isn't an option, rather than carrying
such pics on vulnerable technology devices. Not saying I condone hacking in any way – it is reprehensible and
dangerous. However, there are ways to limit risk.

"A photograph can also be manipulated," Anon continued. "I might feel fat one day, but if I arch my back just-so, and tilt
my camera over my shoulder, I can make my booty look like Iggy Azalea's and feel immediately better about myself."

But perhaps Anon best sums up the level of maturity at play in all this navel gazing when she writes: "Think about a baby
in front of a mirror – think about the pleasure they get from watching themselves. Well, taking a photograph can
accomplish much the same thing."

Out of the mouth of babes ...

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/comment/nude-selfies-a-symptom-of-a-selfobsessed-generation-20140905-

10cy93.html#ixzz3Cx2GoVrK
REQUIRED READING:

Please note: In addition to the following links, there is a full article to read at the end
of this pack on this issue.

Exchanging of images of students without their consent:

http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/news-life/students-from-70-australian-schools-
targeted-by-sick-pornography-ring/news-story/53288536e0ce3bba7955e92c7f7fa8da

http://www.teenvogue.com/story/pornograpy-ring-targets-australian-schoolgirls

Kambrya College's response to the 'pornography ring' scandal – girls to wear

longer skirts:

http://www.teenvogue.com/story/kambrya-college-wear-longer-skirts-female-students-slut-
shaming-victim-blaming

Kambrya College student hits back at 'slut shaming':

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/students-hits-back-at-short-skirt-ban-in-powerful-
speech-20160820-gqxdvc.html

http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/parenting/school-life/kambrya-college-defends-assembly-
that-was-accused-of-slutshaming/news-story/a7c2f705d9f4fa4d4bab5237b1d38171

Sharing of images of girls without consent at Brighton Grammar, St Michael's

Grammar and Melbourne Grammar:

http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/parenting/school-life/police-are-investigating-two-
students-after-a-vile-instagram-account-was-shut-down/news-
story/be603ff8caaacc4a51c578b0940c4917

http://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/news/a-st-michaels-grammar-school-student-is-
investigated-over-nude-photo-scandal/news-story/c7e78d0f5f7969723f4a6e479cfa389a

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/melbourne-grammar-video-scandal-alumnus-shocked-
by-year-12-rateyourdate-video-20160806-gqmlfx.html

General opinion articles on 'naked selfies', rape culture and the sexualisation of
women:

http://www.mamamia.com.au/teens-and-nude-selfies/

https://www.sbs.com.au/news/thefeed/article/2016/08/19/there-such-joy-taking-naked-
photos-why-girls-take-and-send-naked-photos

http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/news-and-views/opinion/the-epidemic-of-rape-culture-in-
schools-can-no-longer-be-ignored-20160817-gquv53.html
http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life-and-relationships/sex-and-relationships/why-the-sext-
deserves-a-defence-20160823-gqze3b.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dani-fleischer/lets-stop-pretending-kim-_b_11296632.html?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bustle/nudity-helped-me-love-my-body-post-
assault_b_9585738.html?

Comparison Tables

Choose two articles from the required reading and complete the tables below. Name both articles
and their authors in the table

Article One Article Two

Nude selfies a symptom of self- Nudity has helped me love my body
obsessed generation post assault

Contention: nude selfies are the cause of Contention: Taking nude selfies allows people to
narcissism in the younger generation become more comfortable

Tone: Tone:
Passive aggressive, sarcastic
Intended Audience: Intended Audience:
Social media users, youth,
3 Arguments used by the writer to support the 3 Arguments used by the writer to support the
contention: contention

1. .
2. .
3. .

Article One: Persuasive Article Two: Persuasive Intended Impact on the Reader for Both.
Techniques Techniques