, PLEASE USE THIS DOCUMENT AS A GUIDE TO ANSWER YOUR ASSIGNMENT
SECTION A
QUESTION 1
1.1. According to Leland et al. (2013) the concept of reading for pleasure at both home and
school contributes to a student’s academic success and critical thinking skills. In a paragraph of
150 words, discuss how this approach contrasts with viewing reading solely as a skill to be
learned and practiced.
The concept of reading for pleasure emphasizes the importance of engaging students with texts they
enjoy, both at home and in school, which in turn contributes to their academic success and critical
thinking skills (Leland et al., 2013, p. 58). This approach differs from viewing reading solely as a
skill to be learned and practiced. When reading is seen purely as a skill, the focus is typically on
decoding words, recognizing grammatical structures, and completing comprehension exercises. In
contrast, reading for pleasure fosters an intrinsic motivation to engage with texts, encouraging deeper
connections with the material and enhancing cognitive development. Research has shown that
children who read for fun tend to develop a stronger reader identity, which positively impacts their
overall literacy skills. This shift from a mechanical to a more dynamic and enjoyable process enables
students to appreciate the broader purpose of reading, which includes cultivating empathy, critical
thinking, and a love for learning (Leland et al., 2013, p. 58).
1.2. In a paragraph of 150 words explain why cultural awareness is important when analysing
literature? How might it influence a reader’s interpretation of a character's actions or the
conflicts within a story? Then, in another paragraph of 150 words illustrate the impact of
cultural context on character interpretation using a Foundation Phase story of your choice.
Cultural awareness plays a vital role in the analysis of literature, as it shapes the way readers
interpret characters and their actions. Literature often reflects the values, norms, and historical
contexts of the cultures from which it originates. Understanding these cultural nuances enables
readers to better appreciate the motivations behind characters' decisions, the conflicts they encounter,
and the resolutions they seek. Without this cultural context, readers may misinterpret the intentions
or significance of a character's behavior. Cultural awareness broadens a reader's perspective,
allowing for a more nuanced understanding of the text and its characters. It also fosters empathy, as
readers are encouraged to view the world through the eyes of individuals from different cultural
backgrounds (Leland et al., 2013, p. 153).
For example, in the story "The Empty Pot" by Demi, cultural context influences how we perceive the
character's actions. The story centers around a young boy who is entrusted with a challenge: to grow
the most beautiful flower. Despite his best efforts, the boy's flower does not grow, yet he is honest
about his failure. In the context of Chinese culture, where honesty and integrity are highly valued,
the boy's actions are seen as a noble display of moral character. A reader unfamiliar with this cultural
framework might focus solely on the boy's failure to grow a flower, missing the deeper cultural
message about the importance of honesty and the reward of personal integrity. This example
illustrates how cultural context shapes our interpretation of characters' actions and enriches the
reader's experience.
SECTION A
QUESTION 1
1.1. According to Leland et al. (2013) the concept of reading for pleasure at both home and
school contributes to a student’s academic success and critical thinking skills. In a paragraph of
150 words, discuss how this approach contrasts with viewing reading solely as a skill to be
learned and practiced.
The concept of reading for pleasure emphasizes the importance of engaging students with texts they
enjoy, both at home and in school, which in turn contributes to their academic success and critical
thinking skills (Leland et al., 2013, p. 58). This approach differs from viewing reading solely as a
skill to be learned and practiced. When reading is seen purely as a skill, the focus is typically on
decoding words, recognizing grammatical structures, and completing comprehension exercises. In
contrast, reading for pleasure fosters an intrinsic motivation to engage with texts, encouraging deeper
connections with the material and enhancing cognitive development. Research has shown that
children who read for fun tend to develop a stronger reader identity, which positively impacts their
overall literacy skills. This shift from a mechanical to a more dynamic and enjoyable process enables
students to appreciate the broader purpose of reading, which includes cultivating empathy, critical
thinking, and a love for learning (Leland et al., 2013, p. 58).
1.2. In a paragraph of 150 words explain why cultural awareness is important when analysing
literature? How might it influence a reader’s interpretation of a character's actions or the
conflicts within a story? Then, in another paragraph of 150 words illustrate the impact of
cultural context on character interpretation using a Foundation Phase story of your choice.
Cultural awareness plays a vital role in the analysis of literature, as it shapes the way readers
interpret characters and their actions. Literature often reflects the values, norms, and historical
contexts of the cultures from which it originates. Understanding these cultural nuances enables
readers to better appreciate the motivations behind characters' decisions, the conflicts they encounter,
and the resolutions they seek. Without this cultural context, readers may misinterpret the intentions
or significance of a character's behavior. Cultural awareness broadens a reader's perspective,
allowing for a more nuanced understanding of the text and its characters. It also fosters empathy, as
readers are encouraged to view the world through the eyes of individuals from different cultural
backgrounds (Leland et al., 2013, p. 153).
For example, in the story "The Empty Pot" by Demi, cultural context influences how we perceive the
character's actions. The story centers around a young boy who is entrusted with a challenge: to grow
the most beautiful flower. Despite his best efforts, the boy's flower does not grow, yet he is honest
about his failure. In the context of Chinese culture, where honesty and integrity are highly valued,
the boy's actions are seen as a noble display of moral character. A reader unfamiliar with this cultural
framework might focus solely on the boy's failure to grow a flower, missing the deeper cultural
message about the importance of honesty and the reward of personal integrity. This example
illustrates how cultural context shapes our interpretation of characters' actions and enriches the
reader's experience.
