Year 10 - English
Analysing and comparing language techniques in non-fiction writing
Non-fiction: changing views
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils develop their non-fiction reading and writing skills. They look at a range of nineteenth century and modern texts in tandem, and practise comparing viewpoints. They then practise emulating different techniques from the texts in order to develop their speech and opinion writing.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to analyse and compare the use of adjectives, listing and onomatopoeia for effect in non-fiction texts.
Key Notes
- Analysing methods helps us to consider the effect the writer is trying to have on the reader.
- Comparing the methods used helps us understand the writers' craft and how it relates to meaning.
- Both Dickens and Day use "crammed"; however Day uses juxtaposition to lessen the chaotic atmosphere.
- Dickens enhances the overwhelming atmosphere through listing and onomatopoeia.
- Day creates a calmer atmosphere by avoiding the use of listing and onomatopoeia.
Vocabulary To Learn
- juxtaposition: the fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect
- overwhelmed: to overpower the thoughts, emotions or senses
- semantic field: a group of words or phrases with a related meaning
- onomatopoeia: words that imitate the natural sound associated with their meaning
- cacophonous: having an unpleasant mixture of sounds
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- You can only compare methods that both writers use when comparing non-fiction texts.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
Analysing methods helps us to consider the effect the writer is trying to have on the reader. Comparing the methods used helps us understand the writers' craft and how it relates to meaning.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'juxtaposition'
the fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: You can only compare methods that both writers use when comparing non-fiction texts. Correction: It can be very effective to compare why one writer might choose to use a certain method while another writer may choose not to use it.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Considering and analysing attitude in non-fiction writing Study Guide
- Considering and analysing the use of anecdotes in a non-fiction text Study Guide
- Considering and emulating onomatopoeia and alliteration in speech writing Study Guide
- Considering and emulating the use of anaphora in speech writing Study Guide
- Considering and emulating the use of direct address in the opening of a speech Study Guide
- Considering and emulating the use of extended analogies in non-fiction writing Study Guide
- Considering and emulating the use of hyperbole in opinion writing Study Guide
- Considering and emulating the use of rhetorical questions in opinion writing Study Guide
- Considering and emulating the use of similes in non-fiction writing Study Guide
- Considering and understanding the attitude of a non-fiction text Study Guide
- Crafting an effective comparison of non-fiction texts Study Guide
- Developing reading skills and personal responses to non-fiction texts Study Guide
- Planning a speech and building your counter-argument Study Guide
- Using colons, dashes, and semicolons effectively in opinion writing Study Guide
- Using comparatives and superlatives to effectively compare non-fiction texts Study Guide
- Using inference and embedded quotations to craft effective summaries Study Guide
- Using rhetorical devices to write an effective speech Study Guide
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