'The Twisted Tree': expressing my ideas about the novel
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can express my ideas about 'The Twisted Tree' with well-structured writing.
Key learning points
- Our writing should be structured in a clear and logical way with our reader in mind.
- Effective writing will include an introduction, main body and conclusion.
- Conclusions can follow a three part structure moving from the specific to the general.
- Our writing should consider the choices a writer makes, and evaluate their intention.
Keywords
Thesis - an idea you develop and maintain throughout an essay
Evaluation - making a judgement or comment about something
Conclusion - the final idea left with the reader at the end of an essay
Specific - clearly defined or identified
Writer's intentions - what a writer wants to achieve or explore in their work
Common misconception
Pupils may believe that the conclusion should introduce new ideas or quotes.
Explain that a conclusion should summarise the main points and restate the thesis in a new way, rather than introducing new evidence or arguments. Its purpose is to reinforce what has already been discussed, reinforcing the main arguments.
Teacher tip
Encourage pupils to practice writing conclusions by summarising their main points in one sentence each before they write their full conclusion. This helps them focus on the essence of their argument and ensures they don't introduce new information.
Equipment
You will need access to the text 'The Twisted Tree' by Rachel Burge, published by Hot Key Books, 2019
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.The thesis statement of an essay or response will come ...
Q2.When writing about 'The Twisted Tree', what might your final paragraph do?
Q3.'Burge uses Norse mythology to add depth and intrigue to the story, weaving ancient myths into the narrative to heighten the sense of unease.' This is Izzy's overarching idea. As such it is a ...
Q4.'The Twisted Tree' is a Gothic story. Most Gothic stories will have a supernatural enemy of some kind. Who is this in 'The Twisted Tree'?
Q5.Many essay questions will start with the word 'How'. What does the 'How' in a question often refer to?
Q6.What type of quotations are being described here 'quotations which support your topic sentence, and that require analysis'?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is a thesis statement?
Q2.What should the first sentence of a conclusion include?
Q3.Which of the following is NOT a benefit of writing a conclusion?
Q4.Why is it important to avoid new information in a conclusion?
Q5.What is the purpose of an evaluative comment in a conclusion?
Q6.What does moving from the specific to the general mean in a conclusion?
To help you plan your 7 English lesson on: 'The Twisted Tree': expressing my ideas about the novel, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 English lesson on: 'The Twisted Tree': expressing my ideas about the novel, 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 Twisted Tree': fiction reading unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.