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NSW Curriculum
NSW Education Standards Authority

11–12English Studies 11–12 Syllabus

Record of changes
Implementation from 2026
Expand for detailed implementation advice

Content

Year 12

Elective focus areas

The following elective focus areas can be selected for Year 11 or Year 12.

Elective H: Uncovering the truth

Through the study of texts in this focus area, students develop an understanding of the ways language constructs representations of ideas, situations and events that require an investigation to uncover and contest the truth. Students develop skills in questioning assertions, reading critically and justifying their opinions based on evidence and analysis. In studying this focus area, students strengthen their skills in comparing and evaluating different texts that explore notions of truth and its misrepresentation. They develop a deeper understanding of relationships between evidence and conclusions, approaches to problem-solving and ways of presenting logical connections.

Students engage with a range of literary and other texts that represent investigations of truth in personal, social, cultural and historical situations. These may include true crime, crime fiction and investigative journalism texts such as podcasts and historical mysteries. They examine representations offered in these texts to develop an increased awareness of the ways that language and text are used to present information, influence opinion, evoke emotional responses, raise questions and encourage further investigation.

Understanding
  • The ways language forms and features are used to communicate ideas and shape meaning

  • Explicit and implicit meaning is created in texts

  • The ways mode and medium can influence language and structure

  • The ways that audience, purpose and context shape meaning in a variety of social, community and workplace texts

  • The connection between texts

Responding
  • Compose a variety of texts that use language forms and features to present particular attitudes, values and perspectives

  • Compose critical texts that use appropriate evidence to support a clear point of view

  • Use complex sentences to communicate the relationship between ideas in a range of texts

  • Use appropriate textual forms and structures to communicate information and ideas

  • Compose texts that reflect on their choices in the writing process

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