New
New
Year 10
AQA

Considering and understanding the attitude of a non-fiction text

I can identify and analyse connotations and semantic fields to consider the writer’s attitude towards certain subjects.

New
New
Year 10
AQA

Considering and understanding the attitude of a non-fiction text

I can identify and analyse connotations and semantic fields to consider the writer’s attitude towards certain subjects.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A writer’s attitude is how they feel about a subject.
  2. We might identify and analyse their attitude by considering connotations of words and semantic fields.
  3. A writer’s attitude is important because it helps us to understand what their intentions were.
  4. A writer’s attitude can also influence the perception of the reader and how they see the writer and subject.

Keywords

  • Attitude - how the writer feels about a subject

  • Connotation - a feeling or idea that is suggested by a word in addition to its basic meaning

  • Semantic field - a group of words or expressions that are related in meaning

  • Non-fiction - prose writing that is informative or factual rather than fictional

  • Tone - the writer's attitude toward or feelings about the subject matter and audience

Common misconception

We don't need to analyse the writer's attitude in non-fiction because it's all factual information.

Analysing the writer's attitude in non-fiction is important because it helps us to understand why the writer has presented information in a certain way and how they want us to interpret the information.

It would be useful for pupils to share their 'why' ideas for Jamrach and Rawlinson's attitudes to help them see how asking that question elevates their responses.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You will need access to 'My Struggle with a Tiger' and 'Gorilla recaptured after escape at London zoo' which are available in the additional materials.

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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6 Questions

Q1.
'Prose writing that is informative or factual rather than fictional' is the definition of .
Correct Answer: non-fiction, nonfiction, non fiction
Q2.
What is being described here: 'a feeling or idea that is suggested by a word in addition to its basic meaning'?
Correct Answer: connotation, connotations
Q3.
Which of the following might we consider a connotation of the colour blue?
Correct answer: sadness
happiness
Correct answer: calmness
anger
Q4.
'A group of words or expressions that are related in meaning' is the definition of a field.
Correct Answer: semantic
Q5.
What semantic field has been used in this sentence? 'The green river flowed gently, its song echoing through the tranquil valley, while the trees swayed in harmony with the whispering wind.'
Correct answer: nature
Correct answer: music
happiness
secrecy
Q6.
What is the best definition of the word 'illustrates'?
Correct answer: to serve as an example of
to serve as a conclusion of something
to serve as an introduction to something
to serve as a way to directly address the audience

6 Questions

Q1.
'How the writer feels about a subject' is the definition of which word beginning with 'a'?
Correct Answer: attitude
Q2.
By using words such as "brute" and "beast" in 'My Struggle with a Tiger', Jamrach implies that his attitude towards the tiger is one of .
indifference
dismissal
Correct answer: fear
Correct answer: awe
Q3.
Which of the following are connotations of the word "pluck"?
Correct answer: courage
meek
apathy
Correct answer: determination
Q4.
'The writer's attitude toward or feelings about the subject matter and audience' is the definition of which word beginning with 't'?
Correct Answer: tone
Q5.
In his article 'Gorilla recaptured after escape at London zoo', Rawlinson uses word such as "contained" and "minor" to create an attitude of .
panic
Correct answer: calm indifference
outrage
bored indifference
Q6.
By creating a semantic field of safety and protection in 'Gorilla recaptured after escape at London zoo', Rawlinson implies which of the following things about the zoo?
That the zoo was hopelessly unprepared to deal with the gorilla's escape.
Correct answer: That the zoo had effective protocols and procedures in place.
That the zoo keepers did not care about the gorilla.

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