Analysing the presentation of the gas attack: Ian Beck's 'Propping Up the Line'
I can explain how Ian Beck presents the gas attack in his short story, ‘Propping Up The Line’ in a well-planned analytical paragraph.
Analysing the presentation of the gas attack: Ian Beck's 'Propping Up the Line'
I can explain how Ian Beck presents the gas attack in his short story, ‘Propping Up The Line’ in a well-planned analytical paragraph.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- The gas attack, and its aftermath, is the central focus of Beck’s short story.
- The effects of the gas attack are described in graphic detail.
- Perceptive analysis can involve making thoughtful connections between different moments in a text.
Keywords
Methods - the tools a writer uses to create their work; setting, characterisation, language choices are all examples
Harrowing - extremely disturbing
Perceptive - thoughtful
Pervasive - something that spreads everywhere and can’t be stopped
Frenetic - fast paced, uncontrolled
Common misconception
You can't link quotations from across a text in a short story.
Being able to link quotations from any text together is a key skill in English. It helps make your analysis thoughtful and convincing.
To help you plan your year 9 English lesson on: Analysing the presentation of the gas attack: Ian Beck's 'Propping Up the Line', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 9 English lesson on: Analysing the presentation of the gas attack: Ian Beck's 'Propping Up the Line', 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.
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Explore more key stage 3 English lessons from the Literary perspectives from the First World War unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the 2014 edition of Stories of World War One, edited by Tony Bradman to read 'Propping Up the Line' by Ian Beck.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In Ian Beck's 'Propping Up The Line', why is the gas attack so important to the story?
Q2.In Ian Beck's 'Propping Up The Line', what are some of the long term effects of the gas attack on the main character, Alfred?
Q3.Starting with the first, order plot points detailing the gas attack in Ian Beck's 'Propping Up The Line' in chronological order.
Q4.Methods are the tools a writer uses to create their work. Which of the following are methods all writers might rely on to create any text?
Q5.In Ian Beck's 'Propping Up The Line', Beck describes the gas attack, writing the scent of the gas " ."
Q6.In Ian Beck's 'Propping Up The Line', Beck describes the gas attack, and in particular described how the gas moved. What word does he use to describe the gas' movement?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In Ian Beck's 'Propping Up The Line', Beck describes a gas attack. These words could be helpful in exploring how it is presented. Match each to its definition.
extremely disturbing
something that spreads everywhere and can’t be stopped
fast paced, uncontrolled