the effect created by choosing serious, factual language

language structures that develop text cohesion

vocabulary we use when writing about a particular subject

extra information added into a sentence that can be removed

Writing the second half of a biography about Darwin and his theory of evolution

English

Identifying features of a biography in preparation for writing about Darwin

Researching Charles Darwin's life

Researching Charles Darwin's theory of evolution

Planning a biography about Charles Darwin's life and theory of evolution

Writing the first half of a biography about Darwin and his theory of evolution

Presenting information about evolution

In this unit, pupils write a biography based on research about a scientific theory of a famous scientist. In 'Climate Emergency: Journalistic Report Writing', pupils will use a scientific, environmental speech to write a journalistic report from.

In 'Harriet Tubman: Biographical Writing', pupils learnt to research an inspirational figure's life to write a celebratory biography. In this unit, pupils will write a biography based on research about a scientific theory of a famous scientist.

In this unit, pupils research Charles Darwin's life and evolution theory in order to write a biography. The biography is written chronologically, from his early life to university, his trip to the Galapagos and his theory of evolution. Finally, pupils present information about evolution to a group.

Charles Darwin: biographical writing

Darwin collected finches (small birds) from each island.

Years later, Darwin published his theory.

When he got back from England, he threw himself into his work.

Match the cohesive devices to the examples. 

He published his theory (natural selection in a famous book). 

He published his theory (natural selection) in a famous book. 

He published (his theory natural selection) in a famous book. 

Which sentence has brackets in the correct position to show parenthesis? 

The visit, which lasted 5 weeks, gave Darwin time to collect many specimens

The visit, which lasted 5 weeks gave Darwin time to collect many specimens

The visit which lasted 5 weeks, gave Darwin time to collect many specimens

Which relative complex sentence is punctuated correctly? 

Which relative clause could complete this sentence? 'The crew captured a tortoise, {{}}.'

Which of these words can be considered 'subject-specific vocabulary'?

Darwin suddenly realised - they'd evolved! 

Darwin realised the finches must have evolved to be well-adapted. 

Darwin reckoned the finches had somehow adapted. 

Which sentence has the appropriate formal tone for a biography? 

Which of the following language features will we **not** find in a biography? 

What will each paragraph start with in our biography of Darwin? 

Which cohesive device is used in this sentence? 'The Beagle's voyage, which lasted five years, took it all the way around the world.'

Which cohesive devices are used in this sentence? 'Darwin went to Edinburgh because his father sent him there; however, he did not enjoy it.'

Which subordinating conjunction could work in the gap in this sentence? 'Darwin enjoyed Cambridge {{}} he had the chance to explore his love of entomology.'

Which fronted adverbial could be used as a cohesive device in the gap in this sentence? 'Darwin left university in 1831; {{}}, he joined the voyage of the Beagle.'

Starter Quiz

Which of the following language features will we not find in a biography?