Year 8 - English
Analysing effective opinion articles
A monster within: reading and writing Gothic fiction
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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 explore the Gothic. They start by learning what the Gothic is, before reading extracts from 'Frankenstein' and 'Jane Eyre', practising descriptive writing and reading 'The Tell-Tale Heart'. They finally learn how to write opinion articles and then write their own.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to identify the features of effective opinion writing.
Key Notes
- The form of a piece is the kind of writing it is.
- The form of a piece informs the tone you use.
- Opinion writing requires a strong sense of voice and a persuasive tone.
- Puns can be used in opinion writing to create wit.
- Wit engages the reader, thereby making your piece more persuasive.
Vocabulary To Learn
- form: the type of text you are writing
- voice: the identity of the writer that comes through the text
- tone: the attitude your words imply - the way in which you say something
- pun: a small joke (usually a play on words) made to create wit
- wit: using words in a quick and inventive way to create humour
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Students often think that tone and voice are the same thing.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
The form of a piece is the kind of writing it is. The form of a piece informs the tone you use.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'form'
the type of text you are writing.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Students often think that tone and voice are the same thing. Correction: Voice is the identity of the writer and the beliefs they convey, whereas tone is the way in which these beliefs are conveyed.
More Lessons In This Unit
- 'Frankenstein' and the Gothic context Study Guide
- A written analysis of 'Frankenstein' Study Guide
- A written analysis of 'The Tell-Tale Heart' Study Guide
- An introduction to 'Jane Eyre': Analysing an unseen extract Study Guide
- Analysing the atmosphere at Thornfield Hall in 'Jane Eyre' Study Guide
- Context for Gothic literature: science and religion in the 19th century Study Guide
- Editing descriptive writing based on 'A monster within' Study Guide
- Exploring the character of Victor Frankenstein in Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' Study Guide
- Frankenstein's reaction to his creation Study Guide
- Frankenstein's regret and the scientific revolution Study Guide
- Identifying features of the Gothic genre in the plot of 'Frankenstein' Study Guide
- Improving your opinion article on Gothic literature Study Guide
- Lowood Institution: Gothic settings in 'Jane Eyre' Study Guide
- Organising our gothic writing to build tension Study Guide
- Planning a cohesive argument about 'The Tell-Tale Heart' Study Guide
- Planning a Gothic description inspired by 'A monster within' Study Guide
- Planning a written analysis of 'Frankenstein' Study Guide
- Planning an opinion article about Gothic literature Study Guide
- Reading 'The Tell-Tale Heart' Study Guide
- Reading an extract from 'Frankenstein': A fateful night Study Guide
- Reading an extract from Charlotte Brontë's 'Jane Eyre' Study Guide
- Regret in Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' Study Guide
- Symbolism in 'The Tell-Tale Heart' Study Guide
- The creation of suspense in 'The Tell-Tale Heart' Study Guide
- The structure of an opinion article Study Guide
- Using 'Jane Eyre' to inspire our use of gothic vocabulary Study Guide
- Using description in functional writing Study Guide
- Using figurative language to create a gothic atmosphere Study Guide
- Using semantic fields to create a gothic atmosphere Study Guide
- Writing a gothic description Study Guide
- Writing an opinion article on Gothic literature Study Guide
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