The use of a motif in Hillary Clinton's speech
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify and explain how Hillary Clinton uses a motif in her speech about women’s rights.
Key learning points
- A motif is a repeated idea within a piece of writing, that has symbolic significance.
- Motifs give the opportunity to weave thematic ideas and give another layer of meaning.
- Clinton uses the motif of speech and silence.
- The motif suggests women have been silenced and they have not been afforded the freedom and rights of men.
Keywords
Motif - a recurring idea, or symbol that contributes to the overall meaning of a work
Global - relating to the whole world
Collective - done by people acting as a group
Solidarity - unity or agreement about a feeling or action
Recurring - happening again and again
Common misconception
Students can think a motif is a symbol used once or think it is deployed in the same way as a semantic field.
Remind them of the etymology - there has to be movement and change of the motif. A semantic field does not have to be symbolic.
Teacher tip
If your school teaches 'Romeo and Juliet' in other years, you may wish to spend more time explaining where this scene fits into the overall plot.
Equipment
You will need a copy of Hillary Clinton’s speech to the United Nations, delivered in September 1995. It's available in the additional materials.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following is not true of Hillary Clinton?
Q2.What is the name of the name of the international organised formed after WW2 in order to work towards peace and cooperation between nations?
Q3.A symbol is when an object represents an idea or feeling? Which of the following objects represents love?
Q4.When is the best definition of an extract?
Q5.Which of the following is the best definition of human rights?
Q6.Which of the following is the best definition of social and economic issues?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the vocabulary on the left with the synonym on the right.
pattern
worldwide
shared
unity
ongoing
Q2.The key message of Hillary Clinton's speech is that women's rights are...
Q3.At which organisation did Hilllary Clinton make her speech?
Q4.Which of the following is the best definition of a motif?
Q5.What is the motif used in Romeo's speech about Juliet when he first sees her on the balcony? He says 'Juliet is the sun'.
Q6.Which two elements from the following list make up the motif in Hillary Clinton's speech?
To help you plan your 8 English lesson on: The use of a motif in Hillary Clinton's speech, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 English lesson on: The use of a motif in Hillary Clinton's speech, 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.