to describe something that happened, to tell its story

to be tried for a crime in which you are deemed to have broken military law

how something is put together; the most basic structure in a text is its beginning, middle and end

a writer’s attitude or emotional stance; encompasses the mood, feeling and overall atmosphere

Letter writing: planning, using Wilfred Owen’s 1917 letter as stimulus

English

In 'A World at War: Short Stories', pupils explore the reasons for writing war literature and how it seeks to convey the suffering of soldiers and civilians, in times of conflict. In 'Power and Conflict Poetry', students explore the many types of conflict that arise through war, with themes including patriotism, propaganda, fear, guilt and duty.

In 'The Tempest', pupils are encouraged to write from the viewpoint of Caliban and Ariel, adopting character voices in creative writing. In 'A World at War', pupils emulate the writing styles of the authors that they encounter, to create an authentic voice in their writing. 

In this unit, pupils explore and compare texts written about the First World War. They first read Beck's 'Propping up the line', Mansfield's 'The Fly' and Wilfred Owen's 1917 letter home to his mum. They finally read Brittain's 'Testament of Youth', and then plan and write a comparative response.

Literary perspectives from the First World War

Depiction of war, threats of war, death or the aftermath of war.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Depiction or discussion of violence or fighting, including threats of violence or the aftermath of violence.

Depiction or discussion of serious mental health issues including eating disorders, self-harm, suicide or attempted suicide, or the aftermath of such an event.

Depiction or discussion of mental health issues

a writer’s attitude or emotional stance

Match the keywords on the left with their definitions on the right.

A text's most basic structure can be considered as a {{}} beginning, middle and end. 

In Owen's letter to his mother he write about a soldier being "court-martialled". How did Owen feel about this? 

establishes his relationship with his mother and overall tone/mood

a recount of a particularly horrifying event 

Starting with the first, put the structure of Owen's letter to his mother in the order it appeared in the letter.

{{}} brought small moments of joy to soldiers as well as their loved ones at home.

In his letter to his mother, Owen describes that he as "suffered seventh {{}}".

A writer’s attitude or emotional stance is also known as their {{}}.

Before his death in 1918, how did poet Wilfred Owen communicate with his mother?

Another way of saying a writer's attitude is...

Wilfred Owen's poetry is known for its __________ portrayal of trench warfare during WWI.

What are we looking for when we focus on writer's use of structure?

the people who stay in their own country during a war

part of an army that is closest to the enemy

the place where the German and French armies met

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Depiction or discussion of mental health issues

Adult supervision required

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Letter writing: planning, using Wilfred Owen’s 1917 letter as stimulus

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.