A two-page guide to writing a discursive essay. The topics covered are: The purpose and content of the introduction The role of topic sentences Different forms of evidence Concluding sentences The use of counterargument The content and purpose of the conclusion This revision sheet is suitable for upper-ability learners at GCSE.

A straightforward introduction to speech writing for lower-middle ability KS3. It covers: Starter task (see cover image) What is a speech and who makes a speech? AFOREST features used in a WAGOLL. Learners label the features used in the WAGOLL. There are two provided, one for lower ability and another providing some reading challenge. Learners then write their own persuasive statements based on the AFOREST features. Review. This lesson is likely to take around an hour.

This learning mat summarises key descriptive writing techniques using the acronym MRS VAN SOAP.

A PPT that enables an exploration of ‘London’ by William Blake. The lesson includes: A true or false entry task that provides some hints about the context of the poem. A handout on the context of the poem with an accompanying worksheet. A guidance sheet to prompt annotation of the poem. 3 differentiated extended response questions. The lesson is aimed at upper-ability learners and should last 1.5-2 hours approximately.

Following on from the MRS SOAP Creative Writing Series, the main focus of this lesson is to describe a disused room in an abandoned hospital building. It is aimed at lower-middle ability KS3 and assumes some knowledge of the following concepts: Metaphor Repetition for effect Simile Sentence Structure (simple, compound and complex) Onomatopoeia Adverbs and adjectives Personification Structure of the Lesson: Do Now task based on photo prompt (see cover image) Feedback slide MRS SOAP techniques crossword (teacher answers included) A worksheet/planning sheet based on the main photo prompt WAGOLL Writing Time Peer Assessment Learning Review Lessons in the MRS SOAP Creative Writing Series can be found here: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/developing-skills-in-creative-writing-12079150

This PPT enables an exploration of ‘Exposure’ by Wilfred Owen, part of the AQA Power and Conflict Anthology. It is aimed at lower ability learners whose primary objective is understanding and basic comparisons. It includes: Starter: Infer the meaning of the word exposure by examining the three images (sun exposure, exposure to the elements, exposure to harmful gases in the air) Learners then look at an image of WW1 soldiers in the trenches and link it to their understanding of the word exposure. There is a context sheet which explains some of the background to the poem e.g. the Western Front and conditions for soldiers in the trenches. Learners then work through relevant tasks e.g. label the Western Front on a blank map of Europe. Poem synopsis with 4 comprehension questions. The poem translated into reasonably simply English + reduction task. Suggested annotations for lower ability learners. A comparison table for completion (presentation of effects of war with ‘Remains’. Review.

This is a newly-differentiated version of the following resource: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/macbeth-annotated-act-one-11875448 This lower-ability version contains: The full text of Act 1, translated (same as original) Several key extracts for study Scene summaries for Scenes 2-7 A range of activities to develop understanding. Simplified contextual notes with a corresponding worksheet Key information with corresponding worksheet. This resource is aimed at lower-middle ability learners.

This lesson on ‘The Emigree’ is aimed at lower ability learners and includes: Do Now Task: Learners reflect on a range of scenarios which encourage them to think about how they would react if they were living under a totalitarian regime. Feedback slide Context sheet that focuses on Rumens’ interest in the poetry of Anna Akhmatova and Osip Mandelstam Quotation Hunt Focus on Imagery worksheet Feedback slides Learners then reflect on the presentation of power and conflict in the poem, with worksheet Comparison with Blake’s ‘London’ Venn diagram activity in terms of the presentation of place Feedback slide Review Learning

The sixth in the KS3 Basic Literacy Series. It includes: A starter based on the homophones there, their and they’re, effectively revising the material covered in the previous lesson. What is an inference + several examples A series of photos as a basis for whole class discussion on the inferences that can be made from different visual cues. A worksheet: read ten short extracts and make inferences from them, with extension task Review This lesson can stand alone but it assumes some pre-teaching of there, their and they’re.

An introduction to formal letter writing, with different coloured tasks suited to different abilities. There are three example letters accompanying this powerpoint. Suitable for use with mid-upper KS3 groups.

Aimed at middle-upper ability GCSE groups, this PowerPoint teaches the layout and language of a formal letter. It is oriented towards AQA 8700/2/Question 5 but could be adapted for other boards. In order, the PowerPoint contents are: A multiple-choice entry task AQA advice on features of format A sample AQA-style question. Students identify PAF and reflect on the importance of being mindful of PAF in relation to Question 5. Extension task included. The layout of a formal letter, which students copy. Extension questions included. Notes regarding the formal greeting and formal sign-off A re-cap on the features of formal and informal language. Students cut the features out, organise them under two headings and stick them into their books. An example response to the given question. Students read and identify different features (differentiated) An opportunity for independent writing, with success criteria provided. Peer assessment and self-reflection. These files were last saved in Office 2010.

This is a ‘crash course’ in Act Five aimed at lower ability learners who need to get through the text quite quickly. It includes: An overview of Act 5 (see cover image) with tasks. Scene summaries for Scenes 1, 5 and 8. A storyboard for learners to fill in for Scenes 1 and 8. On a basic level, they can use the scene summaries to create captions for each scene, although you can increase the challenge by removing the quotations as well. An activity which encourages learners to contrast the presentation of Lady Macbeth in Acts 1-3 with the sleepwalking scene. A focus on Macbeth’s ‘Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow’ speech. Learners number the images according to when they appear in the speech. These resources were created for low-ability learners who only had a limited amount of time in which to approach Act 5. However, you could use these as starters or revision tasks for more able learners.

This assessment tracker uses the 2023 grade boundaries for AQA 8702 Paper 1 and 2 (English Literature). It will generate a grade for individual sections, each paper and the overall course. Please email me using the address on my store front if you would like any adjustments made to your tracker, e.g. additional columns. A small charge may be incurred depending on how long the work will take. However, simply amendments will be made for free. Please do not send any pupil data when requesting adjustments.

A PPT that enables an exploration of Blake’s ‘London’. It is aimed at lower ability learners whose primary focus is understanding with some analysis of language and contextual ideas. The starter/Do Now task is a multiple-choice, general knowledge quiz about London as a city. Learners then read a context sheet for the poem and respond to the associated tasks. They then read a translation of the poem and annotate their copies in their anthology. Suggested annotations included. After this, they compare ‘London’ with ‘Tissue’ in terms of the presentation of human power. The PPT concludes with a learning review. Estimated time required: 1.5 hours.

Translated mark schemes for AQA Language 8700, papers 1 and 2. They are intended to demonstrate the standard at each level (of the mark scheme) and provide more pupil-friendly criteria for self and peer assessment. The example responses are based on the following texts: Paper 1, Question 2: Jekyll and Hyde Paper 1, Question 3: The Black Cat (Poe) Paper 1, Question 4: The Black Cat (Poe) Paper 1, Question 5: Write the opening of a story entitled ‘The End’. Paper 2, Questions 1-4: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/aqa-8700-paper-2-homelessness-texts-11997752 Paper 2, Question 5: an article on the subject of social media.

A lesson on Browning's 'My Last Duchess' aimed at lower ability learners. It includes: Do Now Task: Learners read four context-related questions and say to what extent they agree and why. Feedback slide A conxtext sheet with accompanying true or false activity (answers included) A summary of the poem + storyboarding activity Link to YouTube video of the poem being performed The poem broken down into eleven slides with suggested translation and annotations Comparison with Ozymandias table to complete Learning Review

I’ve endeavoured to create a mark scheme for the Power and Conflict poetry with indicative content, similar to the Language papers for AQA 8700/1 + 2. I’m not an examiner for this course so would be grateful for any constructive feedback.

A collection of extracts from Canonical 19th Century fiction texts. Could be used as a basis for GCSE reading/writing practice questions.

An introduction into Victorian morality. Useful in the pre-reading of Jekyll and Hyde and other 19th Century novels.