Year 5 - English
Planning and writing the introduction of a biography about Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman: biographical writing
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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 write a biography based on Harriet Tubman, centred around her significance as a historical figure, her early life and her civil rights activism. Pupils conduct research about the subject and organise their research into clear paragraphs, using a range of cohesive devices.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to use your research about Harriet Tubman's life to help you plan and write the introduction of a biography.
Key Notes
- The introduction provides the reader with general information about who the biography is about.
- The introduction explicitly outlines which aspects of the subject's life will be explored.
- In the introduction, information should be kept general and it should encourage the reader to read on.
- When writing, we should orally rehearse sentences and use our plans and success criteria to guide us.
Vocabulary To Learn
- purpose: the aim of the text
- introduction: the first paragraph of a non-fiction text that encourages the reader to read on
- general information: the most basic and necessary information
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may use facts that are too specific in the introduction.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
The introduction provides the reader with general information about who the biography is about. The introduction explicitly outlines which aspects of the subject's life will be explored.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'purpose'
the aim of the text.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils may use facts that are too specific in the introduction. Correction: General facts and information should be explicitly shared. Visuals that represent **general** versus **specific** information should be referred to throughout the planning process. Visuals help pupils 'see' which information belongs where.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Identifying the features of a biography Study Guide
- Peer editing the early life section of a biography about Harriet Tubman Study Guide
- Planning and writing the conclusion of a biography about Harriet Tubman Study Guide
- Planning and writing the section about Harriet Tubman's early life Study Guide
- Planning the section about Harriet Tubman's activism Study Guide
- Researching Harriet Tubman in preparation for writing a biography Study Guide
- Writing the section about Harriet Tubman's activism Study Guide
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