Comparing tone and language choices in non-fiction texts
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify a writer's use of tone and consider how language is adapted to create this.
Key learning points
- Tone in writing refers to the attitude or feeling conveyed by a writer towards the subject matter and audience.
- Tone is conveyed through word choice, sentence structure, punctuation, and overall language usage.
- Writers will ensure their tone is appropriate for the text’s purpose, audience and form.
- Writers will adapt specific language features and rhetorical devices to match the tone of their writing.
Keywords
Incredulous - unwilling or unable to believe something
Defiant - to show resistance or disobedience
Provocative - this describes something that stirs up strong reactions or emotions
Authoritative - if you appear authoritative you seem knowledgeable and command respect
Common misconception
When used, rhetorical devices have only one possible effect or outcome.
Writers can craft rhetorical devices to create different tones and match their purpose, audience and form. For example, direct address can be used to sound confrontational or it can create an intimate and personal tone.
Teacher tip
You may wish to give students a choice as to which text they transform in Task B.
Equipment
You need access to the text: "First Suggestion" from 'Dear Ijeawele or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions' by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In what year was Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's "Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions" published?
Q2.What is the form of this text: 'Freedom or Death' a speech by Emmeline Pankhurst.
Q3.Which word beginning with 'm' describes a text that is a formal declaration of beliefs or principles?
Q4.Neither/nor and both/and are examples of...
Q5.A perspective in a text refers to ...
Q6.Which comparative conjunction would complete this sentence to show a similarity: 'Adichie foregrounds women's experiences. Pankhurst focuses on the rights of women.'
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which word beginning with 't' can be described as: 'the attitude or feeling conveyed by a writer towards the subject matter and audience'?
Q2.Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's text 'Dear Ijeawele or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions' could also be considered ...
Q3.Which answer offers the best description of the word incredulous?
Q4.In Pankhurst’s 'Freedom or Death' speech she describes being 'determined' and a 'soldier'. Which word best describes the tone created?
Q5.In her speech, 'Freedom or Death', Pankhursts states: "I am here as a soldier who as temporarily let the field of battle." What type of sentence is this?
Q6.Which sentences best describes Pankhurst's use of the phrase, "I am here as a soldier who has temporarily let the field of battle", in her 'Freedom or Death' speech?
To help you plan your 9 English lesson on: Comparing tone and language choices in 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 tone and language choices in 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.