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Behold by David LaChapelle

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And Still I Rise by Maya Angelou

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Criteria for English: Language and Literature, Paper 1

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Criteria for English: Language and Literature, Paper 2

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'The Real Milkshake' ad by McDonald's

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Caged Bird by Maya Angelou

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Alone by Maya Angelou

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Analysis of theage (melbourne) magazine featuring Julia Gillard.

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Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou

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Thinking skills

Communication skills

Research skills

Self-management skills

Social skills

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"It's never our fault" by Barbara Kruger

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“It’s never our fault” by Barbara Kruger

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On the Pulse of Morning by Maya Angelou

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Touched by An Angel by Maya Angelou

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Speech Analysis

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Woman Work by Maya Angelou

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Equality by Maya Angelou

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On Aging by Maya Angelou

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Life Doesn't Frighten Me by Maya Angelou

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The Traveler by Maya Angelou

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When I Think About Myself by Maya Angelou

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The Lesson by Maya Angelou

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Awaking in New York by Maya Angelou

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Hey, I’m Ajay! I’ve got a ton of interests - psychology, business, philosophy, and English to name a few - but at the core, I’m just someone who loves to explore new ideas. I’m also an artist, and you’ll usually find me sketching or painting portraits when inspiration hits. Fiction is my escape; I get so into it that I end up living with the characters in my head (you’ll probably catch me talking to myself sometimes!). I’m an aspiring entrepreneur, always looking for ways to bring my creative and business sides together while constantly working on becoming the best version of myself.

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The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri

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The Final Strike: Macbeth vs. Macduff Reimagined

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The Final Strike: Macbeth vs. Macduff Reimagined

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For the Macbeth play we were performing, I took on the challenge of reimagining the climactic duel between Macbeth and Macduff; not just as a scene, but as a pulse-pounding musical narrative. Inspired by the revolutionary brilliance of Hamilton, where history unfolds through powerful rhythms and sharp lyricism, I envisioned Shakespeare’s tragic finale coming alive through a gripping lyrical adaptation. I sought to capture the raw tension, the clash of ideals, and the weight of destiny that looms as Macbeth faces his inevitable downfall.

In writing this piece, I sought to honor Shakespeare’s timeless words while offering a fresh, dynamic interpretation of the final confrontation. This adaptation gave our performance a unique edge, allowing the audience to experience the power of tragedy in a striking and novel way.

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1. Identity
The poem boldly explores the theme of identity, focusing on the experiences of Black women who are often marginalized by society. Angelou asserts her identity with unwavering pride, refusing to let the voices of her oppressors define her existence. Through her defiant tone and resilient spirit, she reclaims her narrative and affirms her dignity.

2. Perspective
Angelou offers a compelling perspective on the struggles of marginalized communities, particularly Black women. Through vivid imagery and unapologetic defiance, she invites readers to witness these experiences firsthand, fostering empathy and a deeper understanding of their resilience.

3. Culture
Still I Rise celebrates Black culture and heritage, highlighting the strength and pride that stem from one’s cultural background. Angelou’s words honor the richness of her roots, emphasizing that this cultural legacy provides a source of empowerment in the face of adversity.

4. Transformation
The recurring motif of rising serves as a powerful symbol of transformation, illustrating the ability to transcend oppression and emerge stronger. Angelou’s repeated assertion that she will rise underscores the transformative journey from suffering to empowerment, ultimately portraying triumph over adversity.

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1. Transformation
Transformation is vividly portrayed through the persistent hope and yearning for freedom expressed by the caged bird. Despite its confinement, the bird’s song becomes a powerful symbol of transformative aspiration—an unwavering desire for change and liberation. This concept resonates deeply with social and political movements that seek to dismantle unjust systems and establish greater equality and freedom.

2. Perspective
The contrasting experiences of the caged and free bird offer distinct perspectives on freedom and oppression. Through this duality, Angelou compels readers to consider the realities of systemic constraints faced by marginalized communities. By juxtaposing the bound bird’s sorrowful song with the free bird’s uninhibited flight, the poem fosters empathy and a deeper understanding of those who endure systemic injustice.

3. Power
The concept of power is central to the poem, reflected in the stark disparity between the caged and free birds. The caged bird’s “clipped wings” and “tied feet” symbolize the restrictive power structures that limit freedom and opportunity for the oppressed. In contrast, the free bird’s ability to “claim the sky” represents those who hold privilege and autonomy, underscoring the imbalance of power that defines societal hierarchies.

4. Culture
The caged bird’s song echoes the sorrowful yet resilient tradition of African American spirituals sung by enslaved individuals during times of oppression. These spirituals, born from suffering, served as expressions of hope, faith, and resistance—much like the caged bird’s song, which transforms its pain into a call for freedom. This subtle allusion to the cultural legacy of resilience adds depth to the poem’s exploration of struggle and perseverance.

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1. Culture
Angelou critiques a culture that prioritizes individualism and personal success over communal support. She challenges the prevailing cultural values, suggesting that wealth and status are meaningless without genuine human connection. Through her powerful verses, Angelou highlights the misguided nature of a society that overlooks the importance of solidarity and shared responsibility.

2. Communication
The poem conveys a profound universal truth about the human condition: we are stronger together. Angelou’s masterful use of language speaks directly to the reader, emphasizing the importance of community and human solidarity. Her words serve as a poignant reminder that true strength arises not from isolation but from the bonds we build with one another.

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1. Identity
Phenomenal Woman is a powerful celebration of feminine identity and inner strength, defying societal expectations of beauty and worth. Angelou asserts that a woman’s power and allure come not from physical appearance but from her confidence and self-assurance. The poem challenges traditional gender roles by emphasizing self-acceptance and personal empowerment, demonstrating that a strong, confident identity transcends superficial judgments rooted in gender norms. It ultimately breaks stereotypes by redefining what it means to be a “phenomenal” woman.

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This area is all about taking a closer look at how texts are written and how we, as readers, make sense of them. It teaches us to pay really close attention to the details, such as at the diction, tone, structure and imagery, within a text, as these are the very tools in the writer's arsenal, collectively used to create meaning. It's not just about what is said but how it said.

We learn to treat texts like crafted pieces of work, where every choice has a purpose and realize that the meaning they collectively convey, is not always uniformly interpreted by the different readers that engage with it.

IB wants us to think deeper with questions like: "Why do we study literature?" or "How does language affect meaning?" These keep our analysis focused and thoughtful, ultimately helping us become better communicators, since we get a feel for how language shapes how people react.

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This area looks at how the meaning of texts, and the text themselves, are shaped by the time and place they come from, and how as a reader, each one of us bring our own contextual lens while interpreting them. It reminds us that a story written in one part of the world, at a certain time in history, can have very different meanings depending on who's reading it and when.

We are prompted to explore how historical, cultural, and social contexts, influenced the themes, characters, and style of a text. This is also about us as readers, and how our own background affects how we understand or relate to a text, helping us compare different perspectives across time periods and cultures, noticing underlying aspects like shifting values or power dynamics.

The IB encourages us to ask: "How do text reflect or challenge the world around them?" or "What happens when a text moves across cultures?" We start noticing how some issues (like identity, gender, justice, or freedom) show up differently depending on where and when the text is written.

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The third area is all about how different texts are connected to each other; how they borrow, respond to, or reflect other works. It shows us that no story exists in isolation - every text is a part of a larger network of ideas, influences, and conversations. We learn to spot references, echoes, or patterns between different texts, whether it's themes, characters, styles, or even direct quotes. This shines light upon how similar ideas and concepts are explored in a multitude of ways by different authors.

This area encourages us to ask: "What do these texts have in common?" or "How do they speak to each other?" Through this, we develop a better sense of genre, literary tradition, and how stories evolve over time.

And personally this has made my experience of reading a lot richer; because once you start seeing these connections, you start seeing deeper meanings.

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Inquirer
I move through the world with questions, not assumptions. Curiosity doesn’t just guide me - it compels me. I explore deeply, following threads until they unravel patterns worth understanding. Whether I’m reverse-engineering a business model or studying the structure of a leaf, I seek out the hidden logic of how things work, and more importantly, why they matter.

Knowledgeable
I think in terms of networks - ideas, disciplines, people, histories - all nodes waiting to be connected. Knowledge, to me, is not a checklist but a living system. When I learn, I map relationships across subjects: the philosophy in mathematics, the psychology in branding, the narrative in data. Paradoxically, the more I learn, the more coherent, and at the same time, chaotic the world becomes. But it always becomes more beautiful.

Thinker
I value precision in thought. I take apart problems down to their first principles and build upward from clarity. My process isn’t rushed, but crafted. I embrace ambiguity as a signpost for depth and think with both logic and imagination, knowing the most compelling solutions often come from the intersection of both.

Communicator
I speak with intention. Whether in quiet conversation or on a public stage, I shape my words with care. I’m drawn to language that reveals, not just impresses, and I listen like someone who knows that people often say the most when they’re not speaking. Connection comes before persuasion. Always.

Principled
I walk in alignment with what I believe, even when no one’s watching. Especially when no one else is watching. My decisions are filtered through a quiet inner code; justice, honesty, and a deep respect for the lives behind the numbers. Accountability isn’t something I’m forced into. It’s something I choose, because integrity is a kind of freedom.

Open-Minded
I don’t protect my worldview - I test it. I collect contrasting opinions and sit with them before reacting. Learning from difference requires humility, not compromise. I try to hold conviction without arrogance, curiosity without restlessness.

Caring
This is one thing I have clearly understood of myself this year. When I act to help, it’s never out of obligation; it’s because I can’t walk past a problem without wondering how I might ease it. Sometimes that means listening, other times building, always showing up. I believe kindness is strongest when it’s quiet.

Risk-Taker
I don’t chase chaos, but I don’t fear it either. I’m comfortable making moves before I feel fully ready, trusting that clarity often follows action. Failure doesn’t threaten me - it informs me. I build, break, and rebuild until the vision in my mind takes form in the world.

Balanced
I am constantly designing my life like an ecosystem - intellectual work, deep rest, movement, silence, ambition, reflection. I don’t strive for perfect harmony, but I respect the rhythms that keep me whole. Balance, for me, is having the courage to say yes to what matters and no to what drains.

Reflective
I keep my inner mirror clean. I review my thoughts, my missteps, my small wins. Growth isn’t always loud; often it’s hidden in quiet recalibration. I learn from myself as deliberately as I learn from the world.

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1. Why and how do we study language and literature?

2. How are we affected by texts?

3. How does the structure and style of a text affect meaning?

4. How do texts offer insights and challenges?

5. In what ways do interpretive strategies vary when reading a literary work and a non - literary texts.

6. Is not sharing a world view with an author, an obstacle to understanding their text?

7. What is lost in translation from one language to another?

8. How might the approaches to a given time and place of a poet, a cartoonist or a diary writer and a historian differ?

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1. And Still I Rise

2. Caged Bird

3. Alone

4. Phenomenal Woman

5. On the Pulse of Morning

6. Touched by An Angel

7. Woman Work

8. Equality

9. On Aging

10. Life doesn't frighten me

11. The Traveler

12. When I think about Myself

13. The Lesson

14. Awaking in New York