Summarising a non-fiction text: 'a letter to my son' (the Guardian, 2014)
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can show understanding of a non-fiction text by summarising it, as well as exploring the writer’s use of direct address.
Key learning points
- An open letter is written to a particular person or group but published so that the public can read it.
- A summary captures the main ideas of a text in a short and clear format.
- When writing a summary of a text, it can be helpful to include short quotations.
- You can develop your summary by including inferences; inferences explore a text’s suggested ideas.
- Direct address sees a writer directly address their audience, often using pronouns like “you”, “we”, or “us”.
Keywords
Open letter - a letter written to a particular person or group but which is published in a newspaper or journal so the public can read it
Discourse marker - a word or phrase which helps structure writing or talk, for example: first, then, finally
Infer - in relation to a text, to come to understand a text’s suggested ideas
Suggest - to hint, or imply
Direct address - when a writer directly addresses their audience, often using pronouns like “you”, “we”, or “us”
Common misconception
The pronoun "you" is the only example of direct address.
Direct address is any way in which a writer directly addresses their audience. This could be a title, name or term.
Teacher tip
The second learning cycle will take the most time as it sees pupils write a developed summary of the open letter. Consider how long your pupils will need for this task, and work out the rest of the lesson's timings from there.
Equipment
You need access to a copy of 'A letter to...My son, who is a drug addict', an anonymous letter published in the Guardian in 2014. There is a link to this letter in the slide deck/additional materials.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of mental health issues
Depiction or discussion of mental health issues
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these text types are examples of non-fiction? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
Q2.Match each word to its definition. (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
to come to understand a text’s suggested ideas
to comment on a writer’s methods
to express a text’s main ideas
Q3.Which of these words and phrases are examples of discourse markers? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
Q4.Which of these are synonyms for infer? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
Q5.Match each of these words to their definitions. (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
very clear
violent or unsteady movement in air or water
bored, lacking in enthusiasm
hugged
extremely thin
Q6.Which of these sentences uses the word turbulence, or its forms, correctly? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match each word to its definition. (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
a piece of writing, often included in a newspaper
written to a person/group but published so the public can read it
an account of someone’s life written by someone else
writing that is factual
a short section of a longer bit of text
Q2.What is true of an open letter? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
Q3. is when a writer speaks to or acknowledges their audience, often using pronouns like “you”, “we”, or “us” (Non-fiction: crime and punishment).
Q4.An is a letter written to a particular person or group but which is published in a newspaper or journal so the public can read it (Non-fiction: crime and punishment).
Q5.Which of these are examples of direct address? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
Q6.Which of these sentences uses the word jaded correctly? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Summarising a non-fiction text: 'a letter to my son' (the Guardian, 2014), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Summarising a non-fiction text: 'a letter to my son' (the Guardian, 2014), 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: crime and punishment unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.