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Year 10
AQA

Comparing tone and methods in non-fiction texts

I can compare how two writers convey their viewpoints through tone and methods.

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New
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Year 10
AQA

Comparing tone and methods in non-fiction texts

I can compare how two writers convey their viewpoints through tone and methods.

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Share activities with pupils
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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Identifying the overall tone of a text can help to understand the writer’s attitude.
  2. Comparing the tone used by each writer makes for a subtle point of comparison
  3. When writers share similar attitudes, it is possible to evaluate the different methods they use to convey these ideas
  4. Always consider why the author has selected the form that they have

Keywords

  • Incredulous - unwilling or unable to believe something

  • Authoritative - if you appear authoritative you seem knowledgeable and command respect

  • Introspective - to look inward or examine one’s own thoughts or feelings

  • Defiant - to show resistance or disobedience

  • Provocative - this describes something that stirs up strong reactions or emotions

Common misconception

Rhetorical devices always have the same effect.

Although we can make some assumptions about the effect of devices, considering specific information like the writer's intention and form will give a much more detailed and nuanced explanation.

This lesson uses texts explored in depth in L1 and L2 of this unit. If these lessons haven't been completed, students will need time to read the articles. When teaching this lesson, it can be effective to allow students to read the example sentences and texts aloud to experience the different tones.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You will need access to the texts: 'A letter to the Dreamers' by Serena Williams and 'Freedom or Death' by Emmeline Pankhurst. This can be found 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).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Emmeline Pankhurst's 'Freedom or Death' speech was delivered in 1913. What century is this?
17th century
18th century
19th century
Correct answer: 20th century
21st century
Q2.
Match the rhetorical device with the correct definition.
Correct Answer:Rhetorical question,A phrase used to provoke thought. It does not require an answer.

A phrase used to provoke thought. It does not require an answer.

Correct Answer:Direct address,A writer speaks to the audience usually using the pronoun "you".

A writer speaks to the audience usually using the pronoun "you".

Correct Answer:Repetition,Repeated used of words or phrases for emphasis and effect.

Repeated used of words or phrases for emphasis and effect.

Correct Answer:Anecdote,A short personal story or account.

A short personal story or account.

Q3.
When a text appeals to the reader using the pronoun 'you' this is an example of...
rhetorical question.
Correct answer: direct address.
repetition.
anaphora.
Q4.
Which of these features would you find in a letter, but not in a speech?
figurative language e.g metaphor
Correct answer: closing e.g kindest regards, yours sincerely
Correct answer: salutation e.g dear or to
Correct answer: reader or audience named
rhetorical devices e.g direct address
Q5.
Pankhurst uses the imagery of warfare and fighting throughout her 'Freedom or Death' speech. This is an example of an .
Correct Answer: extended metaphor
Q6.
In 'Freedom or Death', Pankhurst compares the history of politics to "a hungry baby" and an "impatient baby". What rhetorical device is this?
Correct Answer: Analogy, an analogy

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which answer offers the best description of the word introspective?
To seem knowledgeable and command respect.
Correct answer: To look inward or examine one’s own thought or feelings.
To show resistance or disobedience.
To describe something that stirs up strong reactions or emotions.
Q2.
Which word beginning with 'I' can be described as: unwilling or unable to believe something.
Correct Answer: incredulous
Q3.
What method is Pankhurst using in this quote: "you have to make more noise than anybody else".
Imagery
Anecdote
Rhetorical question
Correct answer: Direct address
Q4.
In Pankhurst’s 'Freedom or Death' speech she describes being “determined” and a “soldier”. Which word best describes the tone created?
personal
Correct answer: defiant
relective
incredulous
optimistic
Q5.
Which rhetorical device is described as a personal account or story?
Correct Answer: anecdote
Q6.
In 'Freedom or Death', Pankhurst uses battle imagery to emphasise the aggressive methods required for change. This is different to Williams in 'Letter to the Dreamers' who uses similar imagery to...
start a fight between men and women.
argue that women should be paid more than men.
Correct answer: maintain the personal intimacy of a letter.
suggest that playing sport is like a war.

Additional material

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