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Year 9

Comparing tone and language choices in non-fiction texts

I can identify a writer's use of tone and consider how language is adapted to create this.

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Year 9

Comparing tone and language choices in non-fiction texts

I can identify a writer's use of tone and consider how language is adapted to create this.

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Share activities with pupils
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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Tone in writing refers to the attitude or feeling conveyed by a writer towards the subject matter and audience.
  2. Tone is conveyed through word choice, sentence structure, punctuation, and overall language usage.
  3. Writers will ensure their tone is appropriate for the text’s purpose, audience and form.
  4. Writers will adapt specific language features and rhetorical devices to match the tone of their writing.

Keywords

  • Incredulous - unwilling or unable to believe something

  • Defiant - to show resistance or disobedience

  • Provocative - this describes something that stirs up strong reactions or emotions

  • Authoritative - if you appear authoritative you seem knowledgeable and command respect

Common misconception

When used, rhetorical devices have only one possible effect or outcome.

Writers can craft rhetorical devices to create different tones and match their purpose, audience and form. For example, direct address can be used to sound confrontational or it can create an intimate and personal tone.


To help you plan your year 9 english lesson on: Comparing tone and language choices in non-fiction texts, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

You may wish to give students a choice as to which text they transform in Task B.
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Teacher tip
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Equipment

You need access to the text: "First Suggestion" from 'Dear Ijeawele or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions' by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

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Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
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Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

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Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), 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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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
In what year was Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's "Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions" published?
1907
1987
1997
Correct answer: 2017
Q2.
What is the form of this text: 'Freedom or Death' a speech by Emmeline Pankhurst.
Correct Answer: speech, a speech
Q3.
Which word beginning with 'm' describes a text that is a formal declaration of beliefs or principles?
Correct Answer: manifesto
Q4.
Neither/nor and both/and are examples of...
comparative conjunctions
Correct answer: correlative conjunctions
conclusive discourse markers
Q5.
A perspective in a text refers to ...
the background of the author.
the central theme or message of the text.
the grammatical structure of the sentences.
Correct answer: the interpretation of events or ideas based on a particular viewpoint or bias.
Q6.
Which comparative conjunction would complete this sentence to show a similarity: 'Adichie foregrounds women's experiences. Pankhurst focuses on the rights of women.'
Correct answer: Equally,
However,
Contrastingly,
Whereas,

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which word beginning with 't' can be described as: 'the attitude or feeling conveyed by a writer towards the subject matter and audience'?
Correct Answer: tone
Q2.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's text 'Dear Ijeawele or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions' could also be considered ...
a leaflet.
a speech.
Correct answer: a letter.
Q3.
Which answer offers the best description of the word incredulous?
Correct answer: unwilling or unable to believe something
to show resistance or disobedience
something that stirs up strong reactions or emotions
to appear authoritative, knowledgeable and to command respect
Q4.
In Pankhurst’s 'Freedom or Death' speech she describes being 'determined' and a 'soldier'. Which word best describes the tone created?
intimate
personal
friendly
Correct answer: defiant
hopeful
Q5.
In her speech, 'Freedom or Death', Pankhursts states: "I am here as a soldier who as temporarily let the field of battle." What type of sentence is this?
interrogative
Correct answer: declarative
imperative
Q6.
Which sentences best describes Pankhurst's use of the phrase, "I am here as a soldier who has temporarily let the field of battle", in her 'Freedom or Death' speech?
Correct answer: This declarative sentence reveals Pankhurst's assertive and defiant tone.
The use of direct address creates an intimate and personal tone.
The imperative sentence creates a call to action.
Correct answer: The imagery of battle conveys the urgency of the issues.
The rhetorical question challenges the audience.

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