Contrasting characters: using juxtaposition
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can effectively use contrast and juxtaposition when crafting characters.
Key learning points
- Juxtaposition is a useful tool when describing contrasting characters.
- Contrasting characters can deepen our understanding of their roles and personalities.
- Placing contrasting characters in opposition can create dramatic tension and conflict.
- Careful consideration of vocabulary choices aids our crafting of juxtaposition.
Keywords
Juxtaposition - two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect
Malevolent - having or showing a wish to do evil to others
Benevolent - having a desire to do good; kind
Protagonist - the main character in a story
Antagonist - a character who actively opposes or is hostile to others (usually the protagonist)
Common misconception
Pupils might think that using contrast and juxtaposition in character descriptions means simply listing opposing traits without showing how they interact or affect each other.
It's important to show how the contrasting traits of characters impact each other. For example, instead of just stating that one character is kind and the other is cruel, describe a scene where their actions and behaviors directly conflict.
Teacher tip
You may wish to prepare examples from other texts your class are familiar with , or that you've read together, to explore the idea of contrasting characters and juxtaposition in this lesson.
Equipment
There are two extracts taken from the Sherlock Holmes' stories available in the additional materials.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which sentence best uses a verb and adverb to describe a character’s cautious movement?
Q2.Which of the following sentences best describes a character’s determined action?
Q3. mean 'having or showing a wish to do evil to others'.
Q4.Similes and metaphors are a type of __________ language.
Q5.A metaphor makes a comparison between two things.
Q6.What does the term 'juxtaposition' mean?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords to their definitions.
two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect
having or showing a wish to do evil to others
having a desire to do good; kind
the main character in a story
a character who actively opposes or is hostile to others
Q2.Why is it important to contrast characters in writing?
Q3.Fill in the blank in the following sentence: 'In the Sherlock Holmes stories, Moriarty's __________ personality contrasts sharply with Holmes’s focused and determined personality.'
Q4.What is one potential impact of using juxtaposition in fiction writing?
Q5.What is not true of using juxtaposition to contrast characters in fiction writing?
Q6.Contrasting characters can our understanding of their roles and personalities.
To help you plan your 9 English lesson on: Contrasting characters: using juxtaposition, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 English lesson on: Contrasting characters: using juxtaposition, 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 Malevolent characters: fiction writing unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.