'The Twisted Tree': planning a newspaper article about the dreadful draugr
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can plan a newspaper article about the draugr's death in 'The Twisted Tree'.
Key learning points
- Newspaper articles include a headline, subheading, opening, main body and tail.
- A clear and interesting introduction should be used to introduce the article's focus.
- Each paragraph should have a clear and distinct focus.
- The draugr's death at the end of 'The Twisted Tree' lends itself well to be written about in a newspaper article.
- Planning the content and vocabulary for each paragraph before writing helps to create fluency.
Keywords
Main body - the central paragraph of a news article that outlines the main details
Skjebne - the fictional town in Norway where the action of the story takes place
Draugr - an undead creature from the Norse mythology that haunts the living
The tail - a section of a news article that sum-ups the events and concludes the article
Common misconception
Newspaper articles must strictly adhere to factual reporting without any creative elements.
While newspaper articles are based on factual reporting, they often incorporate language devices like puns, alliteration and sensationalist language in headlines and sometimes throughout the article. These elements are used to engage readers.
Teacher tip
If time allows, incorporate a peer review activity where pupils exchange their multiple paragraph outlines with classmates. Have them provide constructive feedback on each other's outlines, focusing on clarity, coherence and the effective use of language devices.
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.What word beginning with H refers to the title of a newspaper article?
Q2.What is being described here: 'text that is found under the main headline to give further insight or support for the headline.'?
Q3.What is being described here: 'a joke making use of the different possible meanings of words that sound alike.'?
Q4.Where would you typically find the 5 Ws (Who, What, Where, When and Why) in a newspaper article?
Q5.Andeep wrote a newspaper article about the slaying of the draugr by Martha in 'The Twisted Tree'. He used the following headline 'Martha the Magnificent!'. What language device has he used here?
Q6.Aisha wrote a newspaper article about the slaying of the draugr by Martha in 'The Twisted Tree'. This is her headline 'Martha's Roar - the draugr's no more!' What language device has been used here?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the main setting of 'The Twisted Tree'?
Q2.Who ultimately kills the draugr in 'The Twisted Tree'?
Q3.What should be included in the opening paragraph of a newspaper article?
Q4.Which part of a news article typically uses rhyme, alliteration or a pun to hook the reader?
Q5.In 'The Twisted Tree', Martha kills the draugr at ...
Q6.What is the purpose of the tail section in a newspaper article?
To help you plan your 7 English lesson on: 'The Twisted Tree': planning a newspaper article about the dreadful draugr, 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': planning a newspaper article about the dreadful draugr, 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.