'The Twisted Tree': writing an effective article about the draugr
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can annotate a model article and write my own about the killing of the draugr.
Key learning points
- A newspaper article should be written in the third person.
- A newspaper article should have a formal tone without using slang.
- You can use language devices in a newspaper article to intrigue the reader.
- You need to punctuate quotes correctly using speech marks in a newspaper article.
- You can use a noun appositive in an article to give more information about a noun.
Keywords
Formal tone - a way of writing or speaking that is respectful, serious, and follows traditional rules of language
Third-person - a point of view in writing where the writer is removed and uses pronouns like 'he', 'she', 'it' or 'they'
Noun appositive - a phrase that explains or identifies a noun further e.g. 'My friend, a skilled musician, plays the piano'
Common misconception
Pupils might think that the use of a formal tone and third person point of view is only necessary for professional journalism and not applicable to other forms of writing.
Explain that while formal tone and third person are essential in professional journalism, they are also important in many other types of writing, including more localised articles like this.
Teacher tip
If time allows, have pupils exchange papers with a partner for peer review after Learning Cycle 2. Provide a checklist that includes elements like formal tone, third person usage and correct punctuation of quotes. This peer review process will help students identify areas for improvement.
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 point of view should a newspaper article be written in?
Q2.Which of the following best describes a formal tone in writing?
Q3.What is a noun appositive?
Q4.Why do newspaper articles often use a variety of language devices?
Q5.In writing, what does third-person perspective refer to?
Q6.'The Twisted Tree' is written by Rachel ...
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which part of a newspaper article introduces the who, what, where, when and why?
Q2.What is the purpose of a subheading in a newspaper article?
Q3.What is an important quality of a subheading in a newspaper article?
Q4.In a newspaper article, why is it important to use third-person perspective?
Q5.Identify the language device used in this sentence: "Until now, all of the sightings have been in the darkest depths of the night."
Q6.Which sentence uses a noun appositive correctly?
To help you plan your 7 English lesson on: 'The Twisted Tree': writing an effective article about the 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': writing an effective article about the 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.