Cairns School of Distance Education

English Department

Year 11 Essential English

Name:

Work Return: Task 1.4 Section 2

Purpose: Explain how language features, text structures and cultural

assumptions, values and beliefs communicate perspectives about
workplace issues.

Task: Write responses to Question 2 below.

Conditions Length: 200 – 300 words in total

Respond in full sentences, that may include bullet points

Language features:

 third person (don’t use, ‘I’)

 present tense (the text represents)
 correctly structured sentences
 specialised language (represents, cultural assumptions, headline,
image, slogan, evaluative language, contrast etc)

Instructions: 1. Examine/read stimulus materials carefully.

2. Read questions carefully.
3. Write in full sentences which may include bullet points.
4. Type your answers in the space provided.
5. Name file as follows: SURNAME INITIAL 11ENE Task 1.4
6. Submit both parts of this task via QLearn Assignments.

1
Section 2
Instructions: write your answer in the space provided on page 3. Write in full sentences which
may include bullet points. There is only one (1) stimulus for this section.
Stimulus 3
Context: Online news article

Gen Z: transforming the world of work

Recent publication, Hello Gen Z by Australia’s leading social researcher Claire Madden, reveals Gen
Z is set to transform the world of work.
James Smith
October 25 2018 10:30am

Born between 1995 and 2010, the youngest members of Gen Z are beginning to enter the workforce.
Frequently stereotyped as tech-obsessed, entitled and unreliable, this latest generation is set to shake up
the world of work – for the better.
According to leading researcher, Claire Madden, ‘Gen Z comes in very empowered, often more agile and
adaptive with technology. They have skills central to today’s workplace, meaning they can be promoted at a
faster rate.’ So, is Gen Z really entitled and tech-obsessed or are these dynamic, driven professionals
simply meeting the demands of a 21st century workplace?

 GEN-Z: better networkers

 Benefits of GEN-Z in the work place
The future of work is certainly changing with increased automation, global connectivity and high levels of
online social interaction. According to Madden, ‘Gen Z will need to be lifelong learners, be agile and
adaptive to changing job roles and tasks.’ It seems that Gen Z workers, rather than often being unfairly
labelled as ‘unreliable’ should be applauded for their adaptability and independence.
Familiarity with social media is also a
bonus. Gen Z workers are more likely
to engage comfortably and positively
Gen Z- tech-savvy, collaborators – transforming the world of
with companies via social media and work!
will use the platform effectively for
networking.

www.queenslandtoday.com.au

2
Question 2
Explain how two representations of Gen-Z workers are constructed in Stimulus 3. For each representation,
explain a text structure, language feature and value that creates the representation.

The online news article can be split into two representations.

The first representation in the article is negative. The use of a heading, subtitle, authors details and
introduction to topic are the text structures. By adding the authors details at the beginning, the author
added validity to their work by identifying with a company as opposed to being an individual’s opinion in
a personal blog. The juxtaposition of ideas in the final sentence, creates a natural segway into the
second representation as it challenges the initial stereotypes.
This further adds perspective, as readers question who believes in the “frequently stereotyped”
attributes. The vocabulary used identifies these negative stereotypes as Gen Z being “tech-obsessed”,
“entitled” and “unreliable”.
The second representation in the article is positive. The use of separated paragraphs, a text blurb,
hyperlinks and quotes are used to structure the text. To highlight ideas and give a professional view on
the topic at hand, the authors utilised this structure to expand on Maddens knowledge. The use of
rhetorical question at the end of the article, engages the reader and challenges their own perceptions on
the topic. The author, James Smith, uses positive vocabulary to also refute these negative views from
the wider community. Terms such as “tech-savvy”, “adaptive”, “independent”, “agile” and “driven” are
used to promote this idea, suggesting that they are able to use their own life experience to benefit the
workplace. The author uses the language feature of repetition to drive this point home. Moreover,
valued skills in networking and collaborating are highlighted as positive attributes that are widely sought
after, with the use of technology.