New
New
Year 10
AQA

Analysing and comparing language techniques in non-fiction writing

I can analyse and compare the use of adjectives, listing and onomatopoeia for effect in non-fiction texts.

New
New
Year 10
AQA

Analysing and comparing language techniques in non-fiction writing

I can analyse and compare the use of adjectives, listing and onomatopoeia for effect in non-fiction texts.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Analysing methods helps us to consider the effect the writer is trying to have on the reader.
  2. Comparing the methods used helps us understand the writers' craft and how it relates to meaning.
  3. Both Dickens and Day use "crammed"; however Day uses juxtaposition to lessen the chaotic atmosphere.
  4. Dickens enhances the overwhelming atmosphere through listing and onomatopoeia.
  5. Day creates a calmer atmosphere by avoiding the use of listing and onomatopoeia.

Keywords

  • Juxtaposition - the fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect

  • Overwhelmed - to overpower the thoughts, emotions or senses

  • Semantic field - a group of words or phrases with a related meaning

  • Onomatopoeia - words that imitate the natural sound associated with their meaning

  • Cacophonous - having an unpleasant mixture of sounds

Common misconception

You can only compare methods that both writers use when comparing non-fiction texts.

It can be very effective to compare why one writer might choose to use a certain method while another writer may choose not to use it.

It would be useful for pupils to share their notes on Task A to make sure they have all the necessary information in order to then compare the methods in Learning Cycle 2.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You will need a copy of Dickens' 'Greenwich Fair' and Day's 'Are we having fun yet?'. There are copies available in the additional materials.

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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6 Questions

Q1.
'To overpower the thoughts, emotions, or senses' is the definition of feeling which word beginning with 'o'?
Correct Answer: overwhelmed, overwhelm, overwhelming
Q2.
What is being described here: 'the words, ideas, feelings or concepts we associate with a word or symbol.'?
Correct answer: connotations
colloquialisms
conclusions
clarifications
Q3.
Which of the below are examples of word classes?
Correct answer: nouns
Correct answer: adjectives
metaphors
speech
discourse markers
Q4.
What word is missing from this definition of semantic fields: 'A group of words in some way'?
Correct Answer: related, connected, linked
Q5.
What semantic field has been used here? 'The fair buzzed with the cacophony of excited chatter, clattering rides, lively music and clanging amusements.'
Correct answer: noise
light
summer
happiness
Q6.
'The fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect' is the definition of which word beginning with 'j'?
Correct Answer: juxtaposition, juxtapose, juxtaposed

6 Questions

Q1.
Both Dickens and Day use which adjective beginning with 'c' to suggest busyness in 'Greenwich Fair' and 'Are we having fun yet?'?
Correct Answer: crammed
Q2.
Day the word "crammed" with "sipping" in 'Are we having fun yet?' to dampen the chaotic effect.
Correct answer: juxtaposes
enhances
isolates
Q3.
In 'Greenwich Fair', Dickens uses words like 'clanging' and 'squeaking'. We could say these are verbs.
imperative
Correct answer: onomatopoeic
regular
alliterative
Q4.
Dickens enhances the busyness of "crammed" in 'Greenwich Fair' by using a of chaos.
Correct Answer: semantic field
Q5.
By using listing throughout 'Greenwich Fair', Dickens arguably makes the reader feel which sensation beginning with 'o'?
Correct Answer: overwhelmed
Q6.
'Having an unpleasant mixture of sounds' is the definition of which word beginning with 'c'?
Correct Answer: cacophonous, cacophony

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