Developing a summary of a non-fiction text by including inferences
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify examples of inference in a summary about a non-fiction text, and use this understanding to create my own developed summary.
Key learning points
- 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.
- Inferences should not include analysis of language or structure.
Keywords
Primitive - simple, basic
Suggest - to hint, or imply
Infer - in relation to a text, to come to understand a text’s suggested ideas
Sparse - in short supply, limited
Manual labour - physical work done by humans
Common misconception
Inference and analysis are the same thing.
Inference is about reading between the lines. Analysis focuses on unpicking writer's methods and explores their effects.
Teacher tip
Consider how long your pupils will need to write their own summary (LC2) and work out the rest of the timings for the lesson from there.
Equipment
You need access to a copy of Henry Mayhew's 'The Criminal Prisons of London' (1862) and Erwin James's 'The Norwegian Prison' (2013). A copy/link to each text an be found in the additional materials.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of serious crime
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of sexual violence
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.Match each word to its definition (Non-fiction: crime and punishment).
simple, basic
something intended as a punishment
in short supply, limited
physical work done by humans
Q2.Bastoy prison island is in (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
Q3.What is picking oakum? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
Q4.What is true of Henry Mayhew (1812-1887)? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
Q5.What is true of Erwin James (1957-2024)? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
Q6.How is Bastoy prison island described by one of the prisoners in Erwin James’s article about the Norwegian prison written for the Guardian in 2013? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match each word to its definition (Non-fiction: crime and punishment).
considering a text’s suggested ideas
exploring writer’s methods
detailing the main points of something
Q2.Which of these is an example of manual labour? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
Q3.Henry Mayhew wrote a book called ‘The Prisons of London: And Scenes of Prison Life’ published in 1862. (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
Q4.Erwin James wrote an article called ‘The Norwegian prison where inmates are treated like ’ for the Guardian newspaper in 2013 (Non-fiction: crime and punishment).
Q5.Which of these sentences use the word sparse correctly? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
Q6.Which of these sentences use the word primitive correctly? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Developing a summary of a non-fiction text by including inferences, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Developing a summary of a non-fiction text by including inferences, 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.