Exploring the presentation of the boss in 'The Fly' by Katherine Mansfield
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how Katherine Mansfield presents the character of the boss in her short story, ‘The Fly’, in clear and well developed analytical paragraphs.
Key learning points
- A topic sentence states the focus for a paragraph.
- Including multiple quotations in a main body paragraph from across a text can help strengthen your analysis.
- Exploring the methods a writer has used can help to develop your analysis.
- You don’t need to analyse every quotation in the same amount of depth.
Keywords
Foil - in literature, a character who contrasts with another character
Topic sentence - the first sentence of a paragraph which states its main idea
Symbolism - when writers use something to represent intangible ideas; the fly in 'The Fly' is an example of a symbol
Methods - the tools a writer uses to create their work; character foils and use of symbolism are both examples of methods
Analysis - in English, to look closely at a text and comment on how it was written and why
Common misconception
You must analyse every quotation.
There are some quotations that you will want to analyse in depth, and consider their methods and the range of ways they might be interpreted. However, there will also be quotations that link to your topic sentence, but don't need to be analysed.
Teacher tip
Consider how you will use the model in learning cycle 2. What features might you want to dwell on, or ask questions about, so that it becomes a tool that helps address misconceptions and sets pupils up for success in the independent task?
Equipment
You need a copy of 'The Fly' by Katherine Mansfield, which can be found in the additional materials.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.When analysing Katherine Mansfield’s ‘The Fly’, knowledge of these words will help you form powerful paragraphs. Match the words and phrases to their definitions.
the first sentence of a paragraph stating its main idea
words from the text
commenting on why or how a writer wrote something
the tools a writer uses to create their work
Q2.Starting with the first, order these plot points all taken from the first section of Katherine Mansfield’s ‘The Fly’ chronologically.
Q3.When writing analytical paragraphs about Katherine Mansfield's 'The Fly', you should explore Mansfield's methods. Match each method to its definition.
a word which describes an action, a doing or being word
a word which describes a noun
a method of comparison using 'like' or 'as'
using the same word or phrase more than once for effect
the order of the parts of a sentence, as well as its length and type
when a character contrasts with another character
Q4. is when when writers use something to represent intangible ideas.
Q5.In Katherine Mansfield’s ‘The Fly’, the boss is described as “stout, rosy, five years older than he [Mr, Woodifield] and still going ”.
Q6.In Katherine Mansfield’s ‘The Fly’, Mr. Woodifield is described as a “ old figure”.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.When analysing Katherine Mansfield’s ‘The Fly’, you will write in main body paragraphs. What is true of main body paragraphs?
Q2.A pupil said, “When analysing quotes from Mansfield’s ‘The Fly’, you should analyse each in the same amount of depth.” How would you correct them?
Q3.A pupil wrote a topic sentence about the boss in Katherine Mansfield’s ‘The Fly’. Which is the strongest topic sentence?
Q4.In Katherine Mansfield’s ‘The Fly’, Mansfield describes the boss as feeling his life is in “ ” after the death of his son.
Q5.In Katherine Mansfield’s ‘The Fly’, once Mr. Woodifield has left, the boss “wanted, he intended, he had arranged to ”.
Q6.In Katherine Mansfield’s ‘The Fly’, at the start of the story, the boss is described as being “ of his room”.
To help you plan your 9 English lesson on: Exploring the presentation of the boss in 'The Fly' by Katherine Mansfield, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 English lesson on: Exploring the presentation of the boss in 'The Fly' by Katherine Mansfield, 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 Literary perspectives from the First World War unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.