The Art of Being Normal — GCSE English Structural Analysis Lesson

A , knowledge-rich and inspection-aligned English lesson using a fiction extract from Lisa Williamson’s The Art of Being Normal. Designed for GCSE English Language (AQA Paper 1, Q4 – Evaluation), this pack models how structural methods shape reader response, tone, and narrative momentum.
Extract not included. I use the extract from lines |"I’m dying. I’ve got to be. " to
|“An elderly man holding a watering can is standing in the front garden of the house next door.”
This resource is ideal for teachers seeking high-quality, curriculum-driven reading instruction supported by transferable subject terminology, scaffolded analytical writing. Education Inspection Framework (EIF) expectations for rigorous literacy teaching.
Curriculum Intent & Objectives

Students will:

Analyse structural choices including opening hooks, disrupted chronology, pacing shifts, narrative lens widening and dialogue interruption

Evaluate how the sequencing of events builds reader tension and panic

Construct evidence-supported responses using: declarative openings, juxtaposition, chronology break, verbs of manner, restricted perspective

Produce a structured evaluative answer to the question:
“To what extent do you agree?” (AQA Q4 style)

The Art of being normal Q4 Less…

Disciplinary Knowledge Focus

Core vocabulary taught and applied:

Narrative hook, chronology, sequencing, juxtaposition, pacing, perspective shifts, dialogue placement, structural interruption, verbs of manner, internal monologue
Students learn why these choices matter, moving beyond plot to reader impact and author intent.

Quote table

What’s Included

✔ Starter exploring societal expectations of “normality”
✔ 10 comprehension questions + answers (green-pen marking model)
✔ Explicit instruction slides applying GCSE/AQA terminology
✔ Scaffolded writing guidance for topic sentences, sequencing analysis and dialogue-narration structural shifts
✔ Model paragraph (AQA Paper 1 Q4-style)
✔ Structural quotes table for annotation and writing support
✔ WWW/EBI pupil self-assessment grid for reflection and improvement
✔ Teacher notes demonstrating Ofsted alignment (Quality of Education + Reading + Literacy Provision)

Ofsted-Aligned Design

This lesson evidences:

Ambitious, sequenced curriculum intent

Explicit teaching of reading as a discipline

High-quality literacy and vocabulary instruction

Critical evaluation supported by textual evidence

Structured cognitive challenge, progressing from inference to independent evaluative writing

Suitable For

KS4 GCSE English classes (AQA or any evaluation-focused curriculum)

Teachers building a knowledge-driven approach to reading and structural analysis

Departments strengthening whole-school literacy instruction and exam-ready writing