Comparing and evaluating non-fiction texts
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can write comparative topic sentences.
Key learning points
- Comparing one text to another can often help you evaluate it more clearly.
- You can compare what each writer chose to write about, and how they chose to write about it.
- The opening of comparative paragraphs could start with a topic sentence which states the paragraph’s main idea.
- The next sentences of a comparative paragraph could focus on the differences between the two texts you wish to compare.
Keywords
Form - the type of text a writer uses; an article, letter and speech are all examples.
Method - the tools a writer uses to create their work; structure, form and language are perhaps the most significant examples.
Evaluate - to consider something carefully and make a judgement about it.
First person - written from the writer’s perspective using pronouns like ‘I’, ‘we’, ‘me’.
Third person - the writer is not a person in the text using pronouns like ‘she’, ‘he’, ‘they’.
Common misconception
You can't compare different text types to each other. For example, an article to a memoir.
By comparing different forms, we can often come to understand why a writer chose a particular text type more deeply - what this particular text type allowed them to do or convey to the reader.
Teacher tip
This lesson contains texts previously read in other lessons, you may wish to give a recap of the key points to pupils. If the texts have not been read, you may wish to give time in the lesson to read them.
Equipment
You will need the extract from 'Around the World in 72 Days' and the article 'Megan Hine: the woman who helps keep Bear Grylls safe' available from the additional materials.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which answer best describes a travelogue?
Q2.Which of these examples uses a direct quotation?
Q3.Complete the following sentence: A first person narrative perspective is a good way to ...
Q4."She has survived killer snakes" is written using which narrative perspective?
Q5.Which rhetorical device is being used in this sentence: "How will people learn if they don't make mistakes?"
Q6."Although there was a dreadful swell, still the atmosphere was heavy and close." Which words are the adjectives in this sentence?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the form of this text: 'The woman who helps keep Bear Grylls safe' an article by Emine Saner?
Q2.When writing an analytical paragraph which compares two texts, you should start with a which states the paragraph's main idea.
Q3.Starting with the first, put these sentence ideas in the order for a paragraph which compares two texts.
Q4.Which word best completes this sentence comparing two texts (Nellie Bly and Emine Saner): " Bly and Saner foreground the experiences of women."
Q5.Which word best completes this sentence comparing two texts (Nellie Bly and Emine Saner): " Bly presents her personal experiences, Saner weaves a narrative from another person's story."
Q6.Emine Saner begins her article by writing: "She has been attacked by lions ..." What narrative perspective is the article written in?
To help you plan your 9 English lesson on: Comparing and evaluating non-fiction texts, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 English lesson on: Comparing and evaluating non-fiction texts, 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 Women's rights across the ages: non-fiction reading and writing unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.