New
New
Year 10
AQA

Considering and analysing the use of anecdotes in a non-fiction text

I can identify and analyse the use of anecdotes for effect in a non-fiction text.

New
New
Year 10
AQA

Considering and analysing the use of anecdotes in a non-fiction text

I can identify and analyse the use of anecdotes for effect in a non-fiction text.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. In responding to a personal essay, we might ask what it is the writer wants us to understand about their lives.
  2. Potentially, writers might use anecdotes in personal essays to creates an emotional reaction in the reader.
  3. Arguably, Reedy's use of anecdotes elicits a sympathetic response from the reader.
  4. We might analyse anecdotes by considering the writer's use of specific words and methods.

Common misconception

That we can develop a personal response by asking the same questions of every non-fiction text.

While some questions are universal, a non-fiction text such as a personal essay may require us to ask questions about what the writer want us to understand about their lives in order for us to respond to it.

Keywords

  • Personal essay - an autobiographical essay that relates a significant personal experience of the essay writer

  • Anecdote - a usually short narrative of an interesting, amusing or biographical incident

  • Elicit - evoke or draw out (a reaction, answer or fact) from someone

  • Sympathetic - characterised by, feeling or showing sympathy; understanding

It would be useful for pupils to share their responses to the anecdotes to consider more broadly how they are effective tools within non-fiction writing.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You will need access to Reedy's 'My life as a little person'. A link 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.
What word is given to texts that are based in truth and not invented?
Correct Answer: non-fiction, non fiction
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.
What information beginning with 'C' can give you clues about a text, before you start reading?
Correct Answer: contextual, context
Q4.
'Characterised by, feeling, or showing sympathy; understanding' is the definition of which word beginning with 's'?
Correct Answer: sympathetic
Q5.
In a first-person narrative, which pronoun is typically used to refer to the narrator?
she
Correct answer: I
they
he
you
Q6.
'A usually short narrative of an interesting, amusing, or biographical incident' is the definition of which word beginning with 'a'?
Correct Answer: anecdote

6 Questions

Q1.
'An autobiographical essay that relates a significant personal experience of the essay writer' is the definition of ...
Correct answer: a personal essay
an academic essay
an informative essay
Q2.
Cara Reedy's 'My life as a little person' falls under which of the following non-fiction genres?
letter
Correct answer: personal essay
speech
informative article
Q3.
Which word from Reedy's title 'My life as a little person' indicates that it's a personal essay?
Correct answer: 'my'
'life'
'as a'
'little person'
Q4.
'To evoke or draw out (a reaction, answer, or fact) from someone' is the definition of which word beginning with 'e'?
Correct Answer: elicit
Q5.
Throughout her personal essay 'My life as a little person', Reedy uses which technique beginning with 'a'?
Correct Answer: anecotes, anecdote
Q6.
Arguably, in 'My life as a little person', Reedy evokes a stronger emotional reaction in the audience by referencing anecdotes from when she was ...
Correct answer: a child
living abroad
an adult

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