Year 10 - English
Reading and comparing two texts about prisons: London (1862) and Norway (2013)
Non-fiction: crime and punishment
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Study Guides
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 by reading and responding to a selection of nineteenth century and modern non-fiction texts on the theme of crime and punishment. They practise summarising and comparing texts before writing an article and information text.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to read two texts about the same topic - prisons - and begin to compare them.
Key Notes
- Using predictive reading skills before you read a text can help you understand more complex texts.
- When reading a text for the first time, you won't necessarily understand every word and idea.
- Making short annotations as you read can help you develop an understanding of a text.
- When comparing two texts, using words like 'more' or 'less' can be helpful.
Vocabulary To Learn
- punitive: something intended as a punishment
- rehabilitation: helping people to recover and reintegrate into society after facing issues
- evaluate: to consider something carefully and make a judgement about it
- inhumane: cruel, brutal
- reform: to change something in order to improve it
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- That Mayhew describes everything in the prison in a negative light.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
Using predictive reading skills before you read a text can help you understand more complex texts. When reading a text for the first time, you won't necessarily understand every word and idea.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'punitive'
something intended as a punishment.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: That Mayhew describes everything in the prison in a negative light. Correction: Focus on the descriptions of the prisoners. Why does Mayhew present them in this way? What is he trying to say about prisoners?
More Lessons In This Unit
- Comparing texts about drug misuse: 'Confessions' (1821) and 'A letter to' (2014) Study Guide
- Developing a summary of a non-fiction text by including inferences Study Guide
- Planning an open letter using single paragraph outlines Study Guide
- Planning and writing website content Study Guide
- Reading an opinion article and creating rhetorical questions Study Guide
- Revising and editing non-fiction writing Study Guide
- Summarising a non-fiction text: 'a letter to my son' (the Guardian, 2014) Study Guide
- Using credible statistics in a piece of non-fiction writing Study Guide
- Using figurative language in non-fiction writing Study Guide
- Using structural features effectively in non-fiction texts Study Guide
- Using the conventions of website content creatively Study Guide
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