a nonfiction account of something written from a person's memories

carefully, thoughtfully and slowly examining a text and considering the choices the writer made

the main idea or essence of something, often brief and in a simplified form

civilians of a country that is at war who feel its impact in their daily lives

Skim reading and close reading: 'Testament of Youth' by Vera Brittain

English

In 'A World at War: Short Stories', pupils explore the reasons for writing war literature and how it seeks to convey the suffering of soldiers and civilians, in times of conflict. In 'Power and Conflict Poetry', students explore the many types of conflict that arise through war, with themes including patriotism, propaganda, fear, guilt and duty.

In 'The Tempest', pupils are encouraged to write from the viewpoint of Caliban and Ariel, adopting character voices in creative writing. In 'A World at War', pupils emulate the writing styles of the authors that they encounter, to create an authentic voice in their writing. 

In this unit, pupils explore and compare texts written about the First World War. They first read Beck's 'Propping up the line', Mansfield's 'The Fly' and Wilfred Owen's 1917 letter home to his mum. They finally read Brittain's 'Testament of Youth', and then plan and write a comparative response.

Literary perspectives from the First World War

Depiction of war, threats of war, death or the aftermath of war.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Depiction or discussion of violence or fighting, including threats of violence or the aftermath of violence.

an account of something written from a person's memories

Each of these key terms is a type of text explored in the unit 'Literary perspectives from the First World War'. Match each term to its definition.

Brittain leaves university and becomes a nurse

During the war, her fiancé, brother and two close friends are killed

WW1 ends and Brittain returns to university

Vera Brittain wrote 'Testament of Youth' ('Literary perspectives from the First World War'). Match each key date to its event to plot a rough outline of her life.

Vera Brittain wrote 'Testament of Youth' ('Literary perspectives from the First World War'). It is a {{ }}, a nonfiction account of something written from a person's memories.

Vera Brittain wrote 'Testament of Youth' ('Literary perspectives from the First World War'). In it, she says that during war, people dreaded the doorbell ringing in case it was a postman bringing a...

Vera Brittain wrote 'Testament of Youth' ('Literary perspectives from the First World War'). In it, she describes the "gnawing {{ }}" she felt all the time her fiancé was on the front line.

Vera Brittain wrote 'Testament of Youth'. In it, she writes that WW1 created a "{{ }}" between men who had been at the front, and their loved ones who had not.

civilians of a country that is at war who feel its impact day to day

the line of battle that is closest to the enemy

the line of trenches in Europe where many WW1 battles took place

a deep ditch dug in order to protect soldiers from enemy fire

'Literary perspectives from the First World War' focuses, primarily, on experiences of World War One. Match these key terms relating to this war to their definitions.

quickly reading a text and selecting its key ideas and overall tone

examining a text and considering the choices the writer made

the main idea or essence of something, often brief and simplified

Each of these key terms helps us develop an understanding of an unseen text. Match each key term to its definition.

'Literary perspectives from the First World War' focuses, primarily, on experiences of World War One. Match some of the feelings of civilians on the British home front to their source.

Sometimes nonfiction writers employ methods. When they do, they can be analysed.

You can analyse structural methods, but not language devices.

Writers of nonfiction texts seek to engage readers via their methods.

Every text - from shopping lists to novels - uses methods which can be analysed.

You can analyse language devices, but not structural methods.

A pupil is about to read a nonfiction extract (Literary perspectives from the First World War). They say, "Writers don't use methods in nonfiction texts." How would you correct them?

the quotations a writer wants us to analyse

the autobiographical details the writer has included

A pupil wants to analyse the methods of a nonfiction extract ('Literary perspectives from the First World War'). What are methods?

An important method of communication was the {{ }} during WW1. This is a short written message which often informed civilians of death of a loved one.

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Adult supervision recommended

Introduction

What will you need for this lesson?

Are you ready to learn?

Equipment

Content guidance

Supervision

Worksheet