Making inferences from two non-fiction texts
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use inference to explain complexities in writers’ attitudes.
Key learning points
- Writers convey their meaning through explicit statements and implicit suggestion.
- The reader makes inferences in order to discover the more nuanced meanings.
- Inference involves zooming in on the connotations of chosen words.
- Font styles can also be a subtle way of communicating ideas.
Keywords
Immersive - deep absorption or interest in topic or place
Explicit - clear and obvious
Implicit - suggested or hinted at
Destitute - extremely poor
Common misconception
Students think that attitudes are often strong and one dimensional.
Encourage them to think about how it is possible for a book or a film to be both frightening and enjoyable.
Teacher tip
Ask students to look at how capitalisation, italicisation, underlining and using bold can change the tone of a word.
Equipment
You need access to the opening of Bill Bryson’s travel book ‘Notes From A Small Island’. A copy of the extract from George Orwell’s ‘Down and Out in Paris and London’ in the additional materials.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What do we mean when we say that writing is in italics?
Q2.Match the capital cities with their country.
Italy
England
France
Germany
Q3.What is the best synonym for optimism?
Q4.What are we doing when we make inferences from a text?
Q5.What does the phrase 'down and out' mean?
Q6.What are we doing when we zoom in on a word?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the words with their synonyms.
absorbing
clear
hinted at
poverty stricken
Q2.Which of the following is the best example of optimistic language?
Q3.Which of the following is the best definition of immersive journalism?
Q4.Where was Bill Bryson born?
Q5.Which of the following are associated with implicit meanings?
Q6.Match the words with their likely connotations.
hidden
kept out
supernatural
deserted
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Making inferences from two non-fiction texts, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Making inferences from two 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 4 English lessons from the Non-fiction: explorers unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.