Comparing texts about drug misuse: ‘Confessions’ (1821) and ‘A letter to’ (2014)
I can read two texts about the same topic - drug misuse - and begin to compare the perspectives of the writers who wrote them.
Comparing texts about drug misuse: ‘Confessions’ (1821) and ‘A letter to’ (2014)
I can read two texts about the same topic - drug misuse - and begin to compare the perspectives of the writers who wrote them.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Using predictive reading skills before you read a text can help you understand more complex texts.
- When reading a text for the first time, you won’t necessarily understand every word and idea.
- Making short annotations as you read can help you develop an understanding of a text.
- Summarising a text after reading it for the first time can help you feel secure in your understanding of its main ideas.
- Comparing writers’ perspectives involves exploring their point of view and feelings as expressed in the text.
Common misconception
That perspectives are simply positive or negative.
Positive and negative can be useful words to initially consider a perspective, but then you must become more nuanced and use specific adjectives to identify feelings and perspectives.
Keywords
Opium - an addictive drug
Perspective - the way someone thinks or feels about a particular thing; their point of view
Open letter - a letter written to a particular person or group but which is published in a newspaper or journal so the public can read it
Defensive - anxious to avoid criticism
Passionate - showing strong or intense feelings
Equipment
You need access to a copy of an extract from Thomas De Quincey's 'Confessions of an English Opium-Eater' (1821)/'A letter to...My Son' (Guardian, 2014). These can be found in the additional materials.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
- Depiction or discussion of mental health issues
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).
Video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
when something is considered heavenly and other worldly
to be over excessive in an action or a behaviour
fake
something that has elements of mystery and magic
making something less bad or serious