Year 8 - English
Analysing an opinion article about protecting the greenbelt
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 explain how a writer uses personal experience, expert views and wider politics to support their opinions.
Key Notes
- When you take a stand, you express your opinion forcefully.
- You can support your opinion by using personal experience to make your writing more relatable.
- Expert views will make your writing seem more knowledgeable.
- Referring to formal politics can add a sense of urgency to your writing,
Vocabulary To Learn
- architect: a person who designs new buildings and oversees how they are built
- brownfield site: an area of land in a town or city that was previously used for industry
- amenities: a building, piece of equipment, or service provided for people's comfort or enjoyment
- strengthen: to make something stronger or more effective
- credibility: the fact that someone or something can be believed or trusted
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Students often think they need to be balanced in their writing and discuss both sides of a debate.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
When you take a stand, you express your opinion forcefully. You can support your opinion by using personal experience to make your writing more relatable.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'architect'
a person who designs new buildings and oversees how they are built.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Students often think they need to be balanced in their writing and discuss both sides of a debate. Correction: Teach the difference between opinion writing and argument writing.
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
- 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 a fairy tale about a social issue 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
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