Year 5 - English
Exploring characterisation in 'Oliver Twist'
'Oliver Twist': reading
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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 read and explore a version of Charles Dickens' novel, 'Oliver Twist'. They explore characterisation within the text, make predictions and engage in rich discussions about the plot. Finally, pupils identify and engage with the key themes in the text.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to compare and contrast characterisation within a chapter.
Key Notes
- Characterisation is the way text creators describe & develop the personalities and traits of the characters in a story.
- Many of the characters in 'Oliver Twist' are complex - they present as kind and helpful when their motives are not.
- Fagin compares Oliver & the Artful Dodger; they both share similar characteristics, but have different personalities.
Vocabulary To Learn
- characterisation: Characterisation is the way an author and illustrator describes and develops the personalities and traits of the characters in a story.
- comparing: Comparing involves identifying similarities between two or more things, ideas, themes or texts.
- contrasting: Contrasting involves identifying differences between two or more things, ideas, themes or texts.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may think that character traits remain fixed throughout the narrative.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
Characterisation is the way text creators describe & develop the personalities and traits of the characters in a story. Many of the characters in 'Oliver Twist' are complex - they present as kind and helpful when their motives are not.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'characterisation'
Characterisation is the way an author and illustrator describes and develops the personalities and traits of the characters in a story.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils may think that character traits remain fixed throughout the narrative. Correction: Character traits do not usually stay static. You could use Fagin as an example of this. His character changes within the chapter as Oliver understands what his real intentions are.
More Lessons In This Unit
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