New
New
Year 10
Eduqas

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.

New
New
Year 10
Eduqas

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

  1. Using predictive reading skills before you read a text can help you understand more complex texts.
  2. When reading a text for the first time, you won’t necessarily understand every word and idea.
  3. Making short annotations as you read can help you develop an understanding of a text.
  4. Summarising a text after reading it for the first time can help you feel secure in your understanding of its main ideas.
  5. 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

Preparing and using images to explore different perspectives. For example how would people from different centuries feel about a particular subject?
Teacher tip

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).

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of these is the best definition of a summary? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
an analytical essay
a creative piece of writing
Correct answer: a brief account of a text’s main points
an exploration of writer’s methods
an evaluation of what you like about a text
Q2.
Which is the best synonym for the word confess? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
boast
review
Correct answer: admit
conceal
suggest
Q3.
Which of these defines a letter which is to a particular person or group but which is published in a newspaper or journal so the public can read it? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
a public letter
an extract
Correct answer: an open letter
a newspaper letter
a textual letter
Q4.
Select the phrases to complete this sentence: Discourse markers can be used to ... (Non-fiction: crime and punishment).
Correct answer: structure your writing or talk.
add description to your writing or talk.
Correct answer: signpost the beginning, middle and end of your response.
signal you are about to use direct speech.
Q5.
Match the words to their definitions. (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
Correct Answer:celestial,when something is considered heavenly and other worldly

when something is considered heavenly and other worldly

Correct Answer:indulgent,to be over excessive in an action or a behaviour

to be over excessive in an action or a behaviour

Correct Answer:artificial,fake

fake

Correct Answer:mystic,something that has elements of mystery and magic

something that has elements of mystery and magic

Correct Answer:mitigating,making something less bad or serious

making something less bad or serious

Q6.
Which of these dates is in the 19th century? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
1765
Correct answer: 1821
1913
2019

6 Questions

Q1.
Thomas De Quincey wrote a book called ' of an English Opium-Eater' in 1821. (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
Correct Answer: Confessions
Q2.
Which of these words and phrases are examples of discourse markers? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
Correct answer: Finally, ...
I think this because …
The title suggests …
Correct answer: Next, …
The first paragraph says ...
Q3.
Which of these words or phrases show we are comparing two or more things? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
Correct answer: By contrast,
Correct answer: However,
Therefore,
Initially,
Finally,
Q4.
Thomas De Quincey wrote his famous book in 1821. Which century is this? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment).
17th century
18th century
Correct answer: 19th century
20th century
Q5.
Which of these sentences uses the word passionate, or its forms, correctly? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
Correct answer: She had a passion for chocolate and ate it every day.
He hated the journey passionately and always looked forward to it.
She seemed very passive so you could see her passion shining through.
Correct answer: Her passion for theatre was clear from the amount she spent in tickets.
Q6.
Which of these sentences uses the word defensive correctly? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
Correct answer: The interview didn't go well because he was defensive about his experiences.
The ballet dancer put in a beautifully defensive performance.
The island was defensive by a strong army.
Correct answer: I just asked a simple question but she became very defensive.

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