Identifying and using different perspectives
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify perspectives and use them in my own writing.
Key learning points
- Perspective refers to literal viewpoint and an opinion.
- Examples of perspective include: in media res, panoramic, external and internal.
- Words for explaining perspectives include: focus, zoom, trace, notice.
- When planning to write about a scene, the first decision is where to position the narrator.
- When describing a scene, focus on three key points and include words and phrases.
Keywords
Perspective - a particular point of view; this can be both literally what you see but also what you feel and think
In medias res - Latin for “in the middle of things”; this refers to writing that starts in the middle of the plot or action
Panoramic - a panorama is an unbroken view of the whole region surrounding an observer
Common misconception
Students may think that all writing should begin at the beginning and move through the middle to the end.
Encourage them to think about how stories, especially films, often start with an exciting scene.
Teacher tip
Images of the Rocky Mountains and Isabella Bird may help students to visualise the events described in the extract.
Equipment
You will need a copy of an extract from Isabella Bird's 'A lady's life in the Rocky Mountains' which is available in the additional materials.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Who was Isabella Bird?
Q2.What are the missing words in the title of Isabella Bird book: A life in the mountains.
Q3.Isabella Bird travelled in which century?
Q4.Which of the following verbs is in the present participle form?
Q5.Which of the following is the best definition of a narrator?
Q6.Which of the following is a synonym for describe?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the words on the left with their synonyms on the right.
viewpoints
in the middle of the drama
wide view
Q2.Match the words on the left with their function when discussing perspective.
for placing and positioning people and objects
for showing the sequence of how we view a scene
to indicate how closely or not we look at something
Q3.What is the best argument for shifting perspective from the external landscape to inner feelings?
Q4.Which words from the following sentence (taken from 'A Lady's Life in the Rocky Mountains') show how triumphant Bird felt: "This was the climb; but at last the Peak was won."?
Q5.When deciding on the perspective for a piece of writing, what should you decide first?
Q6.Which of the following is true of a piece of descriptive or narrative writing?
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Identifying and using different perspectives, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Identifying and using different perspectives, 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: explorers unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.