Considering and analysing attitude in non-fiction writing
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can make predictions about a writer's attitude through contextual information and then identify and analyse their attitude.
Key learning points
- The writer's attitude is the way that they feel towards a subject.
- We might make predictions about a writer's attitude by considering contextual information around the text.
- We might analyse the writer's attitude by considering the connotations of their word choices.
- We also might analyse the writer's attitude by considering language techniques such as semantic fields.
Keywords
Attitude - the way someone thinks or feels about a particular thing
Context - background information that can help us understand a text further (e.g. when it was written)
Sensational - causing great public interest and excitement
Candid - truthful and straightforward; frank
Sceptical - not easily convinced; having doubts or reservations
Common misconception
A writer's attitude will remain the same throughout a non-fiction text.
If a writer is recounting an experience then their attitude may change from the beginning to the end of their text.
Teacher tip
It would be useful for pupils to share their predictions about the two texts to see how contextual information can be helpful in approaching a text.
Equipment
You will need access to Dickens' 'Greenwich Fair' and Day's 'Are we having fun yet?'. There are copies available in the additional materials.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of mental health issues
Supervision
Adult supervision required
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.Charles Dickens wrote his account of Greenwich Fair in 1839, as such it is an example of ...
Q2.'The way someone thinks or feels about a particular thing' is the definition of which word beginning with 'a'?
Q3.Which of the following is the definition of 'pathetic fallacy'?
Q4.What is being described here: 'the words, ideas, feelings or concepts we associate with a word or symbol.'?
Q5.Which of the following might be connotations of the colour pink?
Q6.Which of the options below could be useful synonyms for 'this suggests'?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In Dickens' 'Greenwich Fair', Dickens' attitude might be described as which of the following?
Q2.'Causing great public interest and excitement' is the definition of which word beginning with 's'?
Q3.The contextual information we have about Day's 'Are we having fun yet?' is that it's a journalist’s account of attending the Glastonbury festival in 2005. What inferences might we make from this?
Q4.By opening 'Are we having fun yet?' with repeated references to the colour 'brown', Day arguably creates atmosphere.
Q5.'Truthful and straightforward; frank' is the definition of which word beginning with 'c'?
Q6.'Not easily convinced; having doubts or reservations' is the definition of which word beginning with 's'?
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Considering and analysing attitude in non-fiction writing, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Considering and analysing attitude in non-fiction writing, 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 4 English lessons from the Non-fiction: changing views unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.