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Year 11
Edexcel

Using dialogue effectively

I can identify how dialogue is used and apply that knowledge to my own writing.

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Share activities with pupils
New
New
Year 11
Edexcel

Using dialogue effectively

I can identify how dialogue is used and apply that knowledge to my own writing.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Writers use dialogue for a number of purposes.
  2. Dialogue can reveal the motivations, feelings and the relationship between characters.
  3. Dialogue can also move the plot forward, build tension and illustrate the theme.
  4. Using questions as prompts can help generate ideas for your writing.

Common misconception

Students may think that this book describes what life is like for the majority of people who live in Malawi.

Draw attention to the fact that the book is an autobiography and, therefore, is about the writer's own experiences.

Keywords

  • Command - an order to do something

  • Awe - a feeling of great respect or admiration

  • Theme - the main subject or idea of a text

  • Personality - the type of person you are

You could show students where Malawi is on a map. Give some context about the country so they can appreciate the value of electricity.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You will need access to a copy of 'The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind' by William Kamkwamba.

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

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6 Questions

Q1.
What was the purpose of William Kamkwamba's windmill in 'The Boy who Harnessed the Wind'?
to act as a landmark in the village
to test that he had learned physics correctly
Correct answer: to bring electricity to the village
to bring gas to the village
Q2.
How old was William Kamkwamba when he built the windmill as detailed in 'The Boy who Harnessed the Wind'?
12
13
Correct answer: 14
15
Q3.
Where is the village setting in the book 'The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind'?
Correct Answer: Malawi
Q4.
What word beginning with 'D' refers to conversation between characters?
Correct Answer: dialogue
Q5.
Which of the following best defines the term "narrator"?
the main character in the story
Correct answer: the person who tells the story
the author of the text
the person who reads the text aloud
Q6.
Which of the following is the best definition of 'dialogue'?
a description of the setting in a story
the summary of the plot of a story
Correct answer: a conversation between characters in a text
the list of characters in a story

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the words on the left with their synonyms on the right.
Correct Answer:awe,wonder

wonder

Correct Answer:theme,topic

topic

Correct Answer:character,personality

personality

Correct Answer:command,order

order

Q2.
Which of the following is the best definition of internal dialogue?
a conversation between two characters in a story
Correct answer: the thoughts and reflections of a character shared with the reader
a discussion among multiple characters in a group
the way the readers say the dialogue out loud
Q3.
Using dialogue is best for: building tension, showing change, illustrating themes, revealing personality and ...
organising ideas
describing setting
Correct answer: prompting action
Q4.
In the Prologue to 'The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind', the attitude of the crowd moves from to awe.
joy
Correct answer: doubt
curiosity
indifference
Q5.
Which of the following can help you generate ideas for a narrative?
Correct answer: use prompt questions
count up the number of words you need
avoid brainstorming
focus solely on past experiences
Q6.
When we talk about a character's motivations, what do we mean?
the character's physical appearance and traits
the character's background and historical context
the character's interactions with other characters
Correct answer: the reasons behind the character's actions and decisions