New
New
Year 11
Eduqas

Using juxtaposition and foreshadowing in childhood accounts

I can write a childhood account using juxtaposition and foreshadowing.

New
New
Year 11
Eduqas

Using juxtaposition and foreshadowing in childhood accounts

I can write a childhood account using juxtaposition and foreshadowing.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A memoir is an opportunity for someone to write about formative moments in their life.
  2. There are three main parts of Keller's childhood account.
  3. Keller uses contrast to show the formative impact of her childhood illness.
  4. Keller uses foreshadowing to build intrigue and signpost a change in the tone of her account.

Keywords

  • Formative - having a profound influence on someone's development

  • Quaint - attractively unusual or old fashioned

  • Alight - shining brightly

Common misconception

Pupils may think foreshadowing can only be used for upcoming events of a negative nature.

If pupils want to hint at positive memory to come, foreshadowing can also be used.

Share with pupils what you would write about for this task so that they feel comfortable writing their own memories.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You will need a copy of the extract from Helen Keller's 'The Story of My Life' for this lesson. It is available in the additional materials along with a copy of a model answer.

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following words could refer to a writer's use of structure?
Correct answer: framework
Correct answer: outline
vocabulary
similes and metaphors
Correct answer: shape
Q2.
What is a memoir?
an embellished account of the highlights of someone's life
a fictional tale
Correct answer: a written account of someone's own life and experiences
Q3.
What word beginning with 'j' describes two contrasting things being placed next to each other for contrasting effect?
Correct Answer: juxtaposition, juxtapose, juxtaposed
Q4.
What word beginning with 'f' is a method we might use to warn or indicate a future event?
Correct Answer: foreshadowing, foreshadow
Q5.
What does formative mean?
producing a powerful feeling or strong, clear images in one's mind
Correct answer: having a profound influence on someone's development
extremely happy, peaceful or picturesque
Q6.
Which of the below might be described as 'quaint'?
a car park
Correct answer: a cobbled village
a forest

6 Questions

Q1.
Starting with the first, arrange the parts of Keller according to the order that she writes them in her memoir 'The Story of My Life'.
1 - vivid childhood scene: being amongst the gardens of her southern home
2 - background and family life: how she was named, her disposition as a toddler
3 - formative moment: illness that interrupted her idyllic childhood
Q2.
Which word beginning with 'f' describes something that has had a profound effect on someone's development?
Correct Answer: formative
Q3.
'The humble greenery of my childhood will forever be etched into my memory despite the chaotic roar of adolescence.' This sentence uses ...
Correct answer: juxtaposition
alliteration
anaphora
Q4.
What is the purpose of Keller's foreshadowing in her memoir 'A Story of My Life'?
to create a vivid image of the idyllic gardens
Correct answer: to build intrigue and signpost a change in tone
to evoke guilt in the reader
Q5.
Which sentence uses the word 'alight' correctly?
Correct answer: Her eyes were alight with glee.
The wind alighted.
The movie filled me with alight.
Q6.
"Oh how I would love to have stayed viewing the world with this lens of wonder and enchantment." This sentence uses ...
juxtaposition
Correct answer: foreshadowing
alliteration

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