Year 8 - English
Planning a fairy tale about a social issue
Taking a stand
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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 learn about the different ways that writers have expressed their points of view across history. They look at some key techniques that writers use, such as motif and triad, before reading a speech, article, poem and song. They finally write and deliver their own presentation.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to use the conventions of fairytales to plan a story about a social issue.
Key Notes
- Fairy tales have specific conventions including noble heroes/heroines, magical transformations and happy endings.
- Charles Kingsley was a Victorian clergyman who took a stand against the use of children as chimney sweeps.
- Kingsley's novel 'The Water Babies' adapted the fairy tale genre to protest the use of children as chimney sweeps.
- His novel was influential in raising awareness of the cruelty of child labour.
- Freytag's narrative structure can be adapted by any writer.
Vocabulary To Learn
- adapt: to change, or to alter something, to suit different conditions.
- clergyman: a man ordained into the church of England.
- noble: socially superior but also honest, brave, and kind.
- transform: change completely the appearance or character of something.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Fairy tales are written solely for children.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
Fairy tales have specific conventions including noble heroes/heroines, magical transformations and happy endings. Charles Kingsley was a Victorian clergyman who took a stand against the use of children as chimney sweeps.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'adapt'
to change, or to alter something, to suit different conditions.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Fairy tales are written solely for children. Correction: Fairy tales are primarily stories about transformation and therefore this form appeals to many writers, especially those who are interested in social issues.
More Lessons In This Unit
- 'The Chimney Sweeper': a protest against child labour Study Guide
- 'Where Have All the Flowers Gone?': a song of conviction Study Guide
- Analysing an opinion article about protecting the greenbelt Study Guide
- Aristotle's triad Study Guide
- Creating content for a formal presentation Study Guide
- Delivering a formal presentation Study Guide
- Evaluating how two non-fiction writers express their opinions Study Guide
- Expressing convictions Study Guide
- Hillary Clinton's passionate speech about women's rights Study Guide
- Planning content for a presentation Study Guide
- Preparing to deliver a presentation Study Guide
- The use of a motif in Hillary Clinton's speech Study Guide
- Using a motif in your writing Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 8 English guide library.