Analysing effective opinion articles
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify the features of effective opinion writing.
Key learning points
- The form of a piece is the kind of writing it is.
- The form of a piece informs the tone you use.
- Opinion writing requires a strong sense of voice and a persuasive tone.
- Puns can be used in opinion writing to create wit.
- Wit engages the reader, thereby making your piece more persuasive.
Keywords
Form - the type of text you are writing
Voice - the identity of the writer that comes through the text
Tone - the attitude your words imply - the way in which you say something
Pun - a small joke (usually a play on words) made to create wit
Wit - using words in a quick and inventive way to create humour
Common misconception
Students often think that tone and voice are the same thing.
Voice is the identity of the writer and the beliefs they convey, whereas tone is the way in which these beliefs are conveyed.
Teacher tip
You could add a third column into the table on Task B in learning cycle 2 that asks students to consider the effects to the quotations they have selected to stretch and challenge them.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the model answer for this lesson, which is provided in the additional materials.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.If you are expressing your opinion, you are expressing your....
Q2.Which of the following is a kind of form of a text?
Q3.Which of the following is not an example of a persuasive device?
Q4.Who is the audience for an opinion piece?
Q5.What linguistic method has been used in the following quotation: "This is a problem that has crept up on us stealthily."?
Q6.What is the effect of the following quotation: "We must not rest, we must not become complacent; we must act...now."?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1. is the identity of the writer of a text and how this is conveyed.
Q2. is the attitude you imply through your use of words.
Q3.What is a pun?
Q4.What kind of tone would you expect to find in an opinion article?
Q5.How does the writer create a sarcastic tone in this quotation: "I have no doubt that his efforts were more than appreciated..."?
Q6.Match the linguistic method up to the example.
Is seeing it really all that different from reading it?
Punishing the parents will just add fuel to the fire.
we children are not angels; we are not delicate little flowers
Last week, I read Angela Harold’s article
My answer: it’s not
To help you plan your 8 English lesson on: Analysing effective opinion articles, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 English lesson on: Analysing effective opinion articles, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 English lessons from the A monster within: reading and writing Gothic fiction unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.