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Year 8

Writing an opinion article on Gothic literature

I can plan and write an engaging opinion article.

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New
New
Year 8

Writing an opinion article on Gothic literature

I can plan and write an engaging opinion article.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Voice is how you convey the identity of the writer - readers should have an understanding of who the writer is.
  2. The writer's viewpoint should be introduced early in the article, but it can be implied.
  3. Rhetorical devices and descriptions (including figurative language) can be used for effect to support your argument.
  4. Topic sentence and paragraphs should be used to present arguments.
  5. Paragraph outlines can be very useful in maintaining a cohesive structure for your argument.

Common misconception

Students often think that they have to write from their own perspective - that the 'voice' in the article has to be their own.

Students can create a voice. For example, they could write the article from the perspective of a teacher or a parent. This is still voice.

Keywords

  • Voice - the identity of the writer that comes through the text.

  • Vicariously - experiencing something through someone else’s lived experience.

  • Lamentations - the passionate expression of grief or sadness.

  • Impulsive - acting on impulse without thinking through the consequences.

In learning cycle 1, when students practise writing topic sentences, if you completed the previous lesson, it would work well to remind students of the work they did on writing engaging topic sentences and using that practise here. Students can even recycle their topic sentences for Task A.
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
The is the identity of the writer that comes through the text.
Correct Answer: voice
Q2.
What can Gothic literature teach us?
how to make mistakes
Correct answer: lessons about greed
Correct answer: right from wrong
Q3.
What is meant by 'supporting details'?
Correct answer: information and ideas that prove your opinion
what you will be arguing in that paragraph
a summary of the main argument in your paragraph
Q4.
Starting with the first, put the sections of a single paragraph outline in order from first to last.
1 - topic sentence
2 - supporting details
3 - concluding sentence
Q5.
Complete the following sentence: 'In an opinion article, your opinion is your .'
Correct Answer: message
Q6.
What is a subordinate clause?
a clause which has a subject and a verb and makes sense on its own
a clause which has a subject and verb and doesn't make sense on its own
Correct answer: a clause which is missing a subject or a verb and doesn't make sense on its own

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the keywords to their definitions.
Correct Answer:vicariously,experiencing something through someone else’s lived experience

experiencing something through someone else’s lived experience

Correct Answer:lamentations,the passionate expression of grief or sadness

the passionate expression of grief or sadness

Correct Answer:impulsive,acting on impulse without thinking through the consequences

acting on impulse without thinking through the consequences

Q2.
A introduces the main idea in your paragraph.
Correct Answer: topic sentence
Q3.
Readers should have an understanding of who the writer is through their .
Correct Answer: voice
Q4.
What can be implied in an opinion piece to create a clear sense of voice?
Correct answer: the views of the writer
Correct answer: the personality of the writer
the repeated devices the writer uses
Correct answer: the age of the writer
Q5.
What is the role of the concluding sentence?
It's the same as the topic sentence; you repeat the same sentence twice.
Correct answer: It echoes ideas and the same argument from the topic sentence.
Correct answer: It is a real chance to reinforce your opinion again and deliver your message.
It contains the ideas and reasons for your opinion, so it allows you to justify.
Q6.
Which sentence creates the clearest sense of voice?
I love Gothic literature.
Correct answer: The Victorians loved Gothic literature - we learned about it in history!
Gothic literature provided a thrill for some Victorians.