Understanding why people write about war
I can explain why people might choose to write about war, exploring the viewpoints of different writers who have chosen to write about war themselves.
Understanding why people write about war
I can explain why people might choose to write about war, exploring the viewpoints of different writers who have chosen to write about war themselves.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- War literature can be impactful because it has the power to tell individual stories.
- War literature can be impactful because it tries to explain the experiences of war to those who have not experienced it.
- War literature can be used to expose the reality of war and serve as a warning to future generations.
- Arguably, war literature helps humans empathise with the pain of others.
Keywords
War literature - a text which focuses on and explores war and conflict
Profound - deep or meaningful
Specific - particular, precise, exact
Empathise - to share the feelings of another person; a stronger feeling than sympathy
Annotate - to make short notes commenting on something of interest in a text
Common misconception
It isn't important to consider the ethics of writing about war. It is a topic just like any other.
There are important questions to be asked when considering writing about any harrowing experience, particularly war.
Equipment
You need access to a copy of the story ‘Propping Up the Line’ by Ian Beck from the 2014 Orchard Books collection ‘Stories of World War One’ edited by Tom Bradman.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
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).
Lesson video
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