Year 8 - English
The use of a motif in Hillary Clinton's speech
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 identify and explain how Hillary Clinton uses a motif in her speech about women's rights.
Key Notes
- A motif is a repeated idea within a piece of writing, that has symbolic significance.
- Motifs give the opportunity to weave thematic ideas and give another layer of meaning.
- Clinton uses the motif of speech and silence.
- The motif suggests women have been silenced and they have not been afforded the freedom and rights of men.
Vocabulary To Learn
- motif: a recurring idea, or symbol that contributes to the overall meaning of a work
- global: relating to the whole world
- collective: done by people acting as a group
- solidarity: unity or agreement about a feeling or action
- recurring: happening again and again
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Students can think a motif is a symbol used once or think it is deployed in the same way as a semantic field.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
A motif is a repeated idea within a piece of writing, that has symbolic significance. Motifs give the opportunity to weave thematic ideas and give another layer of meaning.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'motif'
a recurring idea, or symbol that contributes to the overall meaning of a work.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Students can think a motif is a symbol used once or think it is deployed in the same way as a semantic field. Correction: Remind them of the etymology - there has to be movement and change of the motif. A semantic field does not have to be symbolic.
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 a fairy tale about a social issue Study Guide
- Planning content for a presentation Study Guide
- Preparing to deliver a presentation Study Guide
- Using a motif in your writing Study Guide
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