Constructing a debate on the presentation of Caliban in 'The Tempest'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use persuasive language to effectively debate the perceptions of Caliban.
Key learning points
- While we may not know Shakespeare’s intentions, we can make an educated guess through looking at the language used.
- The audience might interpret Caliban as a threatening figure or a sympathetic figure.
- Persuasive devices can be used to convince the audience that your argument is correct.
- A debate is where two teams offer their arguments either for or against a debate statement.
Keywords
Intention - An intention is an aim - something you want and plan for.
Powerless - Someone who is powerless cannot control events or others.
Concisely - Expressing something concisely is expressing something in a short and clear way.
Construct - A construct is an idea or character that has been deliberately created, in a certain way, by a writer.
Common misconception
That we know for certain how Shakespeare intended his characters to be seen.
We don't know how Shakespeare intended the audience to perceive his characters - we can just look at the language and decide from that.
Teacher tip
Once the pupils have written their debates, they could have a go at performing them. Pupils could even plan their debates, in learning cycle 2, in teams, challenging students to come up with different arguments from each other.
Equipment
You may want a copy of Shakespeare's 'The Tempest' for this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does being 'powerless' mean?
Q2.Language that is designed to convince you of something is called .
Q3.Which two of the following are persuasive techniques?
Q4.Throughout Shakespeare's 'The Tempest', Caliban is described using negative language by the other characters. Which two emotions might that make us feel towards Caliban?
Q5.A debate is ...
Q6.In Shakespeare's 'The Tempest', Caliban is called a 'thing'. How might that make us feel sorry for Caliban?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is persuasive writing designed to do?
Q2.Which of the following are personal pronouns?
Q3.In Shakespeare's 'The Tempest', which of the following are reasons why we as the audience should feel threatened by Caliban?
Q4.What is hyperbole?
Q5.What does writing concisely mean?
Q6.In 'The Tempest', how did Shakespeare want the audience to feel towards Caliban?
To help you plan your 7 English lesson on: Constructing a debate on the presentation of Caliban in 'The Tempest', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 English lesson on: Constructing a debate on the presentation of Caliban in 'The Tempest', 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 'The Tempest' unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.