Evaluating how two non-fiction writers express their opinions
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can evaluate how two writers take a stand and express strong opinions in their writing.
Key learning points
- When writers take a stand, they often include elements such as personal anecdote, experts and politics.
- Using Aristotle’s triad of logos, ethos and pathos can help strengthen a point of view.
- When we evaluate texts, we need to measure them against specific criteria.
- Evaluation means looking at the validity of the content and the quality of the writing.
Keywords
Empathy - the ability to share someone else’s feelings as if they are your own
Authority - the power to influence others through specialised knowledge or status
Contentious - likely to cause disagreement or argument
Strategy - a plan of action designed to achieve a long-term or overall aim
Tactics - action carefully planned to achieve a specific end
Common misconception
Students often think that to evaluate something is to say whether or not you like it.
Keep reminding them of the criteria. Does a text measure up to a standard being set?
Teacher tip
Set the tone for respectful discussion at the beginning. Remind them that we criticise ideas not people.
Equipment
You need access to two articles: ‘My Suffragette grandmothers are now seen as heroes...' from ‘The Guardian’ and ‘Just Stop Oil Protesters' available from the additional materials.
Content guidance
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.Which of the following are synonyms for "taking a stand"?
Q2.What word begining with C means to examine similarities and differences?
Q3.Match the elements on the left with the correct examples on the right.
an anecdote from your childhood or a story about your family.
an interview with an engineer or town planner
a debate in the House of Commons
Q4.Who was Aristotle?
Q5.What word beginning with "M" refers to an image or idea that is repeated across a text?
Q6.What does it mean to say something is symbolic?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the words on the left with their synonyms on the right.
understanding
expertise
controversial
plan
methods
Q2.If something is significant it is...
Q3.Aristotle's rhetorical triad consists of logos, pathos and...
Q4.Which of the following is the best definition of "to evaluate"?
Q5.Which of the following uses formal politics to make a point?
Q6.Which of the following does not use ethos effectively?
To help you plan your 8 English lesson on: Evaluating how two non-fiction writers express their opinions, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 English lesson on: Evaluating how two non-fiction writers express their opinions, 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 Taking a stand unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.