New
New
Year 11
Edexcel

Analysing and improving an article

I can identify and use a range of effective linguistic devices in an article.

New
New
Year 11
Edexcel

Analysing and improving an article

I can identify and use a range of effective linguistic devices in an article.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. When writing an article, you should use a range of literary devices to engage the reader.
  2. Some examples of literary devices are anecdote, hyperbole, rhetorical questions, imagery, parody and juxtaposition.
  3. It is important to use literary devices carefully. Eg: too many rhetorical devices means they lose their effectiveness.
  4. An anecdote can be an effective way of beginning your article.

Common misconception

Students often think that linguistic devices should be used as often as possible.

Encourage them to use linguistic devices judiciously. Overuse can be as as much of a problem as underuse.

Keywords

  • Hoax - a plan to deceive someone

  • Anecdote - a short, often funny story, especially about something someone has done

  • Parody - work that imitates and humorously exaggerates the style of something famous

  • Counterargument - an argument against another argument, idea, or suggestion

  • Call to action - writing that asks or encourages people to take action about a problem

Encourage students to take different perspectives on topics. They don't always have to write as themselves!
Teacher tip

Equipment

You will need a copy of the model answer in the additional materials for Learning Cycle 1.

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

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 is the term for a mini story designed to illustrate an point in an article?
Correct answer: anecdote
analogy
allegory
assertion
Q2.
In which of the following are you most likely to find articles?
Correct answer: magazines
books
playscripts
Correct answer: newspapers
Correct answer: online
Q3.
What kind of question is intended to make a point and does not require an answer?
Correct Answer: rhetorical, rhetorical question, a rhetorical question
Q4.
If we parody something, what are we doing?
Correct answer: imitating it humorously or satirically
praising it sincerely
explaining it clearly and carefully
analysing it critically
Q5.
What is a synonym for the word 'hoax'?
Correct answer: deception
inspiration
coincidence
prediction
disagreement
Q6.
What is a "call to action" in an article?
Correct answer: a request for the reader to take a specific action
a summary of the article's main points
a description of an event or scenario
an introduction to the article's topic

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the words on the left with their synonyms on the right.
Correct Answer:hoax ,fraud

fraud

Correct Answer:anecdote,personal story

personal story

Correct Answer:parody,satire

satire

Correct Answer:counterargument,rebuttal

rebuttal

Correct Answer:call to action ,appeal

appeal

Q2.
Which of the following is a call to action?
The sky was a deep shade of blue.
Imagine a world without boundaries.
Correct answer: Donate now to help those in need.
She walked quietly through the forest.
Q3.
To be sceptical about something means to be ...
confident.
Correct answer: doubtful.
enthusiastic.
indifferent.
determined.
Q4.
Which of the following is a description of anaphora?
Correct answer: the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive sentences
the use of a word that imitates the sound it represents
the attribution of human characteristics to non-human entities
a direct comparison between two unlike things using "like" or "as"
Q5.
How might you use statistics in an article?
to add humour to the narrative
to create suspense and tension
Correct answer: to provide factual supporting evidence
to describe a fictional character
Q6.
A short sentence can be effective because ...
it provides detailed descriptions.
it adds complexity to the narrative.
Correct answer: it delivers a clear, impactful point with simplicity.
it uses complex vocabulary.

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