Interpreting ‘Geographical Media’: Hampton Beach - using TPQEEL

*”’Geographical Media’= the methods that geographical data is presented: maps, graphs, tables,

videos”

Example:

Hampton BeachThe next few slides, using HAMPTON BEACH as an example, will outline the process for interpreting data using the T.P.Q.E.E.L. Structure, with a model question.

Hampton BeachUsing Source 1: Seasonal

longshore drift at Hampton Beach, Port Phillip Bay, evaluate the impact of man-made coastal management strategies on the natural processes at Hampton Beach.

Source 1:

TOPIC SENTENCETopic Sentence:

A ‘sentence’ that states the main idea and/or reason for the existence of the specific Geographic Media.

Source 1:

Model Topic SentenceSource 1: ‘Seasonal longshore drift at Hampton Beach, Port Phillip Bay’, demonstrates the impact of man-made coastal management strategies on the natural process of seasonal longshore drift at Hampton Beach. During Summer the direction is North-West and in Winter, South-East.

PATTERNThe General Pattern:

At first view of a piece of Geographic Media, what stands out; what makes an impression?

Source 1:

Model ‘Pattern’ ResponseOverall, this map highlights that the seasonal direction of the

prevailing wind determines the direction of the longshore drift and therefore the direction of sand build up along the coast.

The Summer build up is indicated by the ‘purple’ arrows and the Winter build up is indicated by the ‘green’ arrows.

Example sentence starters:• The overall pattern of X could be described as uneven/even;• This graph shows/demonstrates/highlights/exemplifies/

illustrates/supports the idea that….

QUANTIFICATIONQuantification of the ‘Geographic Media’:

The addition of ‘numbers’. Specific numerical detail(s) and definition(s) to the ‘pattern(s)’ observed.

Source 1:

Model ‘Quantification’ ResponseSource 1, demonstrates how the Marina breakwater interrupts

this natural process. As shown in Source 1 by the ‘purple’ arrow, the wind directs the swash towards the beach in a north-westerly direction causing longshore drift to transport sand north along the beach in Summer. However, in Winter, the wind direction is altered; the sand is transported and built up in the southeast of the beach.

The ‘green’ arrow at ‘Sandringham Harbour’ illustrates that some of the southern build up of sand that occurs in Winter is trapped in the Harbour and is not able to move north in Summer. This is made clear by the greater width of the beach in the south of the coast compared to the north. According to this map (Source 1), the south beach is approximately 100m wider than the north beach.

EXCEPTIONException(s) to the rule:

There are often instances (it is to be expected) where some ‘thing’ doesn’t fit the overall ‘pattern’ – identify it!

Source 1:

Model ‘Exception’ ResponseHowever, it should be noted that some sand is not trapped and is

able to follow the natural process of moving north in Summer. This suggests that the strength of the longshore drift in Summer is able to overcome the man-made barrier of the Marina breakwater.

EXPLANATIONExplanation of the Geographic Media:

What is the importance of the Geographic Media compiled and presented to you?

Source 1:

Model ‘Explanation’ ResponseA possible reason for this build of sand in the south of Hampton

Beach is the Marina breakwater. While all sand is transported south in Winter by longshore drift, some sand is trapped in the Harbour and is not moved north by the changed prevailing wind in Summer. However, some sand is transported north in the Summer. This suggests that the strength of the longshore drift in Summer is able to overcome the man-made barrier of the Marina breakwater.

Example sentence starters:• These results suggest that/this can be explained by;• A possible reason/some possible reasons for this are…

LINKING SENTENCELinking Sentence:

This ‘sentence’ links back to, and allows you to summarize your interpretation of the Geographic Media being viewed.

Source 1:

Model ‘Linking’ ResponseWhile the seasonal direction of the prevailing wind and therefore

longshore drift, affects the direction of the build up of sand along Hampton Beach, man-made coastal management strategies such as the breakwater also have a great impact on these natural processes.

Copy and paste into URL (Data Analysis: Word Sheet):vanweringh9.wikispaces.com/file/view/Data+analysisPQE.doc

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