Analysing Non-Fiction: Viewpoints and Perspectives
This lesson focuses on developing students' ability to deconstruct non-fiction texts. Students will learn to identify a writer's perspective, analyse their use of language and structure, and understand how texts are tailored for specific audiences and purposes.
Learning objectives
- Identify the writer's viewpoint and purpose in a range of non-fiction texts.
- Analyse how writers use specific linguistic devices (e.g., metaphors, rhetorical questions) to influence the reader.
- Explain the effect of a writer's choice of tone and vocabulary on the audience.
Lesson plan (60 minutes)
Introduction · 10 min
Starter: 'What's the Point?' Students look at three short texts (a recipe, a political speech, a tweet) and identify the purpose of each.
Direct Instruction · 10 min
Teacher Explainer: Walking through the 'TAP' (Text, Audience, Purpose) method and the worked example.
Guided Practice · 10 min
Guided Practice: Analysis of a short non-fiction extract about plastic pollution as a class.
Independent Practice · 20 min
Independent Work: Differentiated worksheets (Support, Core, Stretch) based on a new non-fiction text provided by the teacher.
Review · 10 min
Plenary Quiz: 8-question multiple choice quiz to check for understanding.
Key vocabulary
- Viewpoint
- The writer's opinion or stance on a topic.
- Tone
- The 'voice' or attitude of the writing (e.g. humorous, formal).
- Emotive Language
- Language intended to create a strong emotional reaction in the reader.
- Rhetorical Question
- A question asked for effect, not requiring an answer.
- Direct Address
- Words like 'you', 'we', or 'us' used to engage the reader directly.
Core worksheet (first questions)
- Summarise the writer's viewpoint on social media in one sentence.
- Identify two emotive words and explain how they influence the reader's view.
- How does the use of statistics support the writer's argument?
- Why does the writer use the word 'we' instead of 'they' when talking about the audience?
Quiz (sample)
1. What does 'Writer's Viewpoint' mean?
- A. The facts included in the text.
- B. The writer's attitude or opinion on a subject.
- C. The length of the sentences.
- D. The font used in the document.
2. Why might a writer use a rhetorical question?
- A. To entertain the reader with a story.
- B. To provide a neutral list of dates.
- C. To persuade the reader to agree with them.
- D. To hide their true feelings.
3. A text that uses statistics and clear, neutral language likely has which tone?
- A. Informative
- B. Angry
- C. Sarcastic
- D. Fearful
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Support and Stretch worksheets, every answer and model answer, the teaching explainer and common misconceptions, editable and ready to print as PDF or Word.
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