Skip to content
Oak National Academy
Oak National Academy
Teachers
Pupils
New
New
Year 9

Developing analytical responses

I can effectively develop my analytical writing leading with ‘big ideas’ and using tentative phrases and superlatives.

Download all resources
arrow-right
Share activities with pupils
arrow-right
New
New
Year 9

Developing analytical responses

I can effectively develop my analytical writing leading with ‘big ideas’ and using tentative phrases and superlatives.

Download all resources
arrow-right
Share activities with pupils
arrow-right
warning

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.
View new resources
arrow-right

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. When writing analytical responses, you should begin by identifying and comparing a ‘big idea’.
  2. Using correlative and comparative conjunctions can help to draw close comparisons.
  3. Superlatives can help you to compare and evaluate texts.
  4. Tentative language can be used to add additional arguments and put forward your ideas.

Keywords

  • Depicts - shows or represents something through a description

  • Correlative conjunction - pairs of words that work together to connect ideas in a sentence

  • Comparative conjunction - can be used to compare ideas in a sentence and show similarities and differences

  • Authentic - something that is genuine, real, or true to its original form or nature

Common misconception

As long as I can back up my answer, I can put forward any interpretation of the text.

Using tentative language can lead to a more exploratory approach, rather than presenting 'right' or 'wrong' interpretations.

This lesson contains texts previously read in other lessons. You may wish to give a recap of the key points to pupils. If the texts have not been read, you may wish to give time in the lesson to read them.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You will need copies of the extracts from Mary Seacole's autobiography and Florence Nightingale's 'Letter to The Times' found in the additional materials.

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

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).

Lesson video

Skip lesson video

Loading...

Starter quiz

Download starter quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
Which form of text beginning with an 'a' can be described as 'a non-fictional account of a person's life written by that same person'?
Correct Answer: autobiography , auto-biography, an autobiography
Q2.
Which famous nurses gained recognition for their efforts in The Crimean War? Mary Seacole and .
Correct Answer: Florence Nightingale, Nightingale
Q3.
Match each form of text to the correct description.
Correct Answer:speech,A formal talk given to an audience.

A formal talk given to an audience.

Correct Answer:letter,A written message from one person to another.

A written message from one person to another.

Correct Answer:autobiography,A text about a person's life written by themselves.

A text about a person's life written by themselves.

Correct Answer:article,A piece of writing on a topic in a newspaper or magazine.

A piece of writing on a topic in a newspaper or magazine.

Correct Answer:biography,A detailed description of someone's life written by another person.

A detailed description of someone's life written by another person.

Q4.
Which of these sentences is written in the past tense?
She walks to the store every morning.
They are going to the concert tonight.
Correct answer: He finished his homework before dinner.
We will travel to Paris next summer.
Q5.
Which perspective is typically used in autobiographical writing?
Correct answer: first person
second person
third person
Q6.
Which sentence best describes the impact of Mary Seacole's and Florence Nightingale's use of graphic imagery in their writing?
it entertains the reader in order to keep them engaged
Correct answer: it highlights the brutal reality of war and the intense suffering it causes
it offers practical advice on nursing and healthcare

Exit quiz

Download exit quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
Which text form does Mary Seacole use to convey her experiences?
a speech
an article
a letter
Correct answer: an autobiography
Q2.
What is the primary purpose of Florence Nightingale's 'Letter to The Times'?
To narrate her childhood experiences.
Correct answer: To persuade and advocate for better nursing conditions.
To entertain with fictional stories.
To discuss the political situation of her time.
Q3.
Which of the following is an example of a comparative conjunction used to identify a similarity?
whereas
however
Correct answer: likewise
neither
Q4.
Which type of conjunction comes in pairs and includes 'neither/nor' and 'whether/or'?
Correct Answer: correlative, correlative conjunctions, correlative conjunction
Q5.
Which of the following sentences includes tentative language?
Seacole’s writing is more emotional than Nightingale’s.
Correct answer: Nightingale’s letter could be considered the most assertive of the two.
Seacole provides a personal account of her experiences.
Nightingale’s and Seacole’s texts are equally detailed.
Q6.
Which of these sentences does not include a superlative?
Nightingale’s writing is arguably the most influential and most recognised.
Correct answer: Both Nightingale and Seacole offer vivid and personal accounts.
Nightingale’s writing is arguably the most detailed of the two.

Additional material

Download additional material
We're sorry, but preview is not currently available. Download to see additional material.