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.
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
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.
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).
Lesson 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