Year 6 - English
Writing the first half of a biography about Darwin and his theory of evolution
Charles Darwin: 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 research Charles Darwin's life and evolution theory in order to write a biography. The biography is written chronologically, from his early life to university, his trip to the Galapagos and his theory of evolution. Finally, pupils present information about evolution to a group.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to write the first half of a biography, using a range of language features.
Key Notes
- In a biography, we write using a formal tone in the third person; our writing is mostly, but not all, in the past tense.
- We use a range of cohesive devices to connect ideas together.
- We orally rehearse our sentences before we write.
- We use our notes from our plan to help us write (including the subject-specific vocabulary we planned to use).
- We give a title for the biography as a whole and subheadings for each paragraph. Each paragraph is indented.
Vocabulary To Learn
- formal tone: the effect created by choosing serious, factual language
- cohesive devices: language structures that develop text cohesion
- subject-specific vocabulary: vocabulary we use when writing about a particular subject
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may struggle to connect ideas together using cohesive devices.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
In a biography, we write using a formal tone in the third person; our writing is mostly, but not all, in the past tense. We use a range of cohesive devices to connect ideas together.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'formal tone'
the effect created by choosing serious, factual language.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils may struggle to connect ideas together using cohesive devices. Correction: Provide plenty of time for oral rehearsal using the bank of cohesive devices and model selecting different options for connecting ideas together.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Identifying features of a biography in preparation for writing about Darwin Study Guide
- Planning a biography about Charles Darwin's life and theory of evolution Study Guide
- Presenting information about evolution Study Guide
- Researching Charles Darwin's life Study Guide
- Researching Charles Darwin's theory of evolution Study Guide
- Writing the second half of a biography about Darwin and his theory of evolution Study Guide
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