Revising topic sentences and selecting precise evidence from 'The Dark Lady'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can select a range of precise evidence from Akala's 'The Dark Lady' to support my topic sentences.
Key learning points
- Good topic sentence: At the [place in text], [author name] shows us [link back to intention] through the use of [X/Y].
- Every analytical paragraph should include at least 2 quotations to support your topic sentence idea.
- Be selective when choosing quotations – select the best to support your topic sentence.
Keywords
Topic sentence - a sentence that introduces the main focus or idea of a paragraph
Intention - something that you want and plan to do
Selective - intentionally choosing some things and not others
Semantic field - a group of words with a similar meaning
Evidence - something that makes you believe that something is true or exists
Common misconception
That you should choose the quotation with the most techniques as your evidence.
You need to select a quotation that matches the point of your topic sentence rather than simply being the one with the most techniques.
Teacher tip
You could ask students to peer assess their chosen quotations for their topic sentences to see different people's ideas.
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.A group of words taken from a text or speech is ...
Q2.What is the word magical often associated with?
Q3.Something that makes you believe that something is true or exists is called ...
Q4.What is the purpose of a topic sentence?
Q5.What does 'intense' mean?
Q6.Match the components of the analytical question: 'In 'The Dark Lady', how does Akala present magic?' with their meanings.
Analyse the language, form and structure.
What were their intentions?
What ideas about this concept are there?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In Akala's 'The Dark Lady', Henry and Joan's magical room is said to give off a light.
Q2.In Akala's 'The Dark Lady', Henry and Joan's magical room is said to Henry's magic.
Q3.What does selective mean?
Q4.Something that you want and plan to do is called your ...
Q5.Which of the following is not a feature of an effective topic sentence?
Q6.Match the idea about Henry and Joan's magical room with the most appropriate quotation.
"comforting"
"golden"
"intensify"
To help you plan your 7 English lesson on: Revising topic sentences and selecting precise evidence from '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: Revising topic sentences and selecting precise evidence from '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.
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 Step into the unknown: fiction reading and creative writing unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.