Year 11 - English
Structural methods in a dramatic account
Non-fiction: teenage kicks
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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 by looking at a collection of non-fiction texts about the theme of teenagers. They first build towards writing an open letter, before then looking at how they can write nuanced and sophisticated articles in an original voice.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to identify and use a range of structural methods to plan a dramatic account of an event.
Key Notes
- Using structural methods effectively can make your writing dramatic.
- Examples of effective structural methods are in medias res, repetition and cliffhangers.
- Varying how an idea is repeated can indicate escalation.
- When planning a piece of writing, it can be helpful to think about now, before and later.
- A cliffhanger leaves a reader with a question to be answered.
Vocabulary To Learn
- in media res: a Latin expression that refers to a story that starts in the middle of the action
- cliffhanger: dramatic ending to a text which leaves the audience wondering what will happen next
- autocratic: demanding that people obey completely, without asking or caring about anyone else's opinions
- surveillance: the careful watching of a person or place, especially by the police or army
- escalation: a situation in which something becomes greater or more serious
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Students often think that they have to tell a story chronologically.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
Using structural methods effectively can make your writing dramatic. Examples of effective structural methods are in medias res, repetition and cliffhangers.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'in media res'
a Latin expression that refers to a story that starts in the middle of the action.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Students often think that they have to tell a story chronologically. Correction: Encourage them to consider how many books and films start with an exciting event and then go back to explain the exposition of the story.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Analysing a dramatic description of an event Study Guide
- Analysing and improving an article Study Guide
- Applying reading strategies to non-fiction texts Study Guide
- Comparing ideas and advice on love in different centuries Study Guide
- Exploring attitudes to teenagers across time Study Guide
- Exploring how love has changed over time Study Guide
- Exploring vivid childhood accounts Study Guide
- Planning an effective article Study Guide
- Understanding and planning open letters Study Guide
- Using and understanding irony in non-fiction writing Study Guide
- Using credible expert views in a non-fiction article Study Guide
- Using dialogue effectively Study Guide
- Using juxtaposition and foreshadowing in childhood accounts Study Guide
- Withholding information and timing revelations Study Guide
- Writing an effective article Study Guide
- Writing an open letter Study Guide
- Writing humorously Study Guide
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