New
New
Year 8

Exploring youth justice in the Victorian era

I can present a convincing argument about youth justice.

New
New
Year 8

Exploring youth justice in the Victorian era

I can present a convincing argument about youth justice.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Victorians were tough on crime to deter people from offending.
  2. Victorians valued discipline and responsibility.
  3. It was a middle class myth designed to uphold the class system, that most criminals were working class.
  4. Rhetorical questions, emotive language and direct address are all types of persuasive language.
  5. Connectives and repetition are all useful for structuring a persuasive response.

Common misconception

The working class are the social class most likely to commit crime.

What types of crime are more likely to be committed by the wealthy? Why might they be less likely to be punished?

Keywords

  • Indictment - an indictment means a formal charge or accusation.

  • Vengeance - vengeance is a punishment inflicted for a wrong that has been committed.

  • Harbour - to harbour means to shelter or hide a criminal.

  • Discharge - if you discharge someone, you officially tell them they must leave a place or situation.

  • Plunder - to plunder means to steal goods from a place or person.

If you do not have time for individuals to perform their persuasive pleas for Thomas Mitchel individually, place pupils in pairs to perform and give feedback to each other.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You will need access to a copy of 'The dreadful life and confession of Thomas Mitchel' which is available in the additional materials.

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

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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6 Questions

Q1.
When you are reading a difficult text, you should ask yourself to check you are understanding what you are reading.
Correct Answer: questions, Questions
Q2.
Select two words from the list below which are connectives.
Correct answer: Furthermore
Bizarrely
Correct answer: Moreover
Arguably
Q3.
What is a rhetorical question?
Any type of question.
A question that is used when speaking to a group.
Correct answer: A question asked to make a point rather than get an answer.
Q4.
Do you think Victorians were stricter on crime than law makers today?
Correct answer: Victorians were more strict.
Victorians were less strict.
The were about the same.
Q5.
Which of the following statements about the death penalty is true for the UK today?
The death penalty is still a form of punishment used in the UK today.
Correct answer: The death penalty has not been used as a punishment for almost 60 years.
The death penalty can be used as a punishment in extreme cases.
Q6.
Which of the following statements is true about the punishments under-18s can receive in the UK today?
Under-18s can receive the same prison sentences as adults.
Correct answer: Under-18s are sentenced differently to adults.
In extreme cases, under-18s can be sent to adult prisons.

6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following is not direct address?
Everyone in this room should agree with me.
How would you feel if it were you?
Correct answer: I cannot believe it.
Q2.
Who did the middle class believe committed the most crime?
The ruling class
The upper class
Correct answer: The working class
Q3.
Was the death penalty abolished during the Victorian era?
Correct answer: No
Yes - but only for children
Yes - it was abolished for all
Q4.
What is the age of criminal responsibility in the UK?
5
Correct answer: 10
18
Q5.
Why were the Victorians so tough on crime? Select the two best responses.
Correct answer: They valued self-discipline and responsibility.
Correct answer: They wanted punishments to act as a deterrent against crime.
As a Christian society, they believed in 'an eye for an eye.'
They did not believe in equality for all.
Q6.
Which of the following words means a formal charge or accusation?
Correct answer: Indictment
Discharge
Vengeance

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