Developing explanations in analytical writing about Akala's 'The Dark Lady'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can develop my explanations in order to effectively put my ideas about Akala's 'The Dark Lady' across to the reader.
Key learning points
- Good analytical paragraphs begin with a clear topic sentence, supported by a range of evidence.
- Good analytical paragraphs mention what method the writer is using.
- Good analytical paragraphs are cohesive – discourse markers are used to link ideas together.
- Comment on the effects of specific language devices to develop your analysis in detail.
Keywords
Inference - a guess that you make or an opinion that you form based on the information that you have
Connotation - a feeling or idea that is suggested by a word in addition to its basic meaning
Topic sentence - a sentence that explains the main focus or idea of a paragraph
Personification - where a non-human object or thing is given human characteristics
Simile - a rhetorical device used to compare two things using the words ‘like’ or ‘as’
Common misconception
That the reader will automatically be able to follow your train of thought.
We all have different connotations from words; you need to clearly explain how you have reached your idea in order for the reader to be able to understand your argument.
Teacher tip
You may wish to discuss additional quotations and techniques used to describe Henry and Joan's magical room.
Equipment
You need a copy of the 2021 Hodder Children’s Book edition of ‘The Dark Lady’ by Akala for this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which two are connotations of gold?
Q2.What is a simile?
Q3.The act of doing or saying something again is called ...
Q4.What is personification?
Q5.Which of the following is an effective topic sentence?
Q6.What does develop mean?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In Akala's 'The Dark Lady', the door to the magic room is said to unfasten itself - what technique is this?
Q2.In Akala's 'The Dark Lady', the door is said to be like the "stitching" on a beautiful woman's dress - which technique is this?
Q3.To shimmer means to ...
Q4.Which things do we associate with gold that makes it seem beautiful and valuable?
Q5.A guess that you make or an opinion that you form based on the information that you have is an ...
Q6.Akala's use of a simile in 'The Dark Lady' to describe the door to Henry and Joan's magical room suggests ...
To help you plan your 7 English lesson on: Developing explanations in analytical writing about Akala's 'The Dark Lady', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 English lesson on: Developing explanations in analytical writing about Akala's 'The Dark Lady', 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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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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