Comparing texts about drug misuse: ‘Confessions’ (1821) and ‘A letter to’ (2014)
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can read two texts about the same topic - drug misuse - and begin to compare the perspectives of the writers who wrote them.
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.
Teacher tip
Preparing and using images to explore different perspectives. For example how would people from different centuries feel about a particular subject?
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
Depiction or discussion of mental health issues
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these is the best definition of a summary? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
Q2.Which is the best synonym for the word confess? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
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)
Q4.Select the phrases to complete this sentence: Discourse markers can be used to ... (Non-fiction: crime and punishment).
Q5.Match the words to their definitions. (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
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
Q6.Which of these dates is in the 19th century? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Thomas De Quincey wrote a book called ' of an English Opium-Eater' in 1821. (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
Q2.Which of these words and phrases are examples of discourse markers? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
Q3.Which of these words or phrases show we are comparing two or more things? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
Q4.Thomas De Quincey wrote his famous book in 1821. Which century is this? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment).
Q5.Which of these sentences uses the word passionate, or its forms, correctly? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
Q6.Which of these sentences uses the word defensive correctly? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Comparing texts about drug misuse: ‘Confessions’ (1821) and ‘A letter to’ (2014), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Comparing texts about drug misuse: ‘Confessions’ (1821) and ‘A letter to’ (2014), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 English lessons from the Non-fiction: crime and punishment unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.