Starter quiz
- Match each term to its definition.
- first person⇔the narrator is a character in the story using ‘I’ and ‘me’ ✓
- second person⇔the narrator speaks directly to the reader using ‘you’ ✓
- third person omniscient⇔narrator isn’t a character in story; knows thoughts of every one ✓
- third person limited⇔narrator isn’t a character in story; shown thoughts of 1 character ✓
- Which of the following is the word for stories that tell us about how the world began, and why the world is how it is?
- fairy tales
- legends
- non fiction
- fables
- myths ✓
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- When reading a text, we often annotate it making short notes about interesting ideas. Where should you annotate?
- on the last page of a text
- in an exercise book
- on the relevant section of the text itself ✓
- in your head
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- Which of these sentences is written in the first person? (‘Myths, legends and stories that inspire’)
- He looked up and watched his father admire the young athlete.
- “I can’t believe his speed!” he gasped.
- Even then, I knew I was looking at someone very special. ✓
- My father was disappointed in me. ✓
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- Which of these sentences uses a simile? (‘Myths, legends and stories that inspire’)
- He was a solid, giant of a man, and I didn’t like him.
- He was incredibly swift. No arrow could move faster.
- He was as strong as a lion, with a shout to match. ✓
- As he ran past, I felt the ripple of the wind rush past me.
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- To ______ means to write short notes on, and about, a text.
- 'annotate' ✓
Exit quiz
- Match these characters, all from ‘The Song of Achilles’ ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire’), to what we know about them.
- Achilles⇔a famous, fast and powerful warrior ✓
- Patroclus⇔the closest friend of Achilles ✓
- Peleus⇔a king ✓
- Thetis⇔a sea nymph ✓
- In ‘The Song of Achilles’ ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire’), how does Madeline Miller describe Patroclus’s father?
- as a prince
- as sweet as honey
- as a bull ✓
- as an athlete
- as slow
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- When writing analytical paragraphs about a text, what is true of your quotations? ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire’)
- you should use one quotation per paragraph
- you paragraph should start with a quotation
- you should use multiple quotations per paragraph ✓
- you should use a long quotation so you have lots to say about it
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- Starting with the first, put these plot points from the opening of ‘The Song of Achilles’ ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire’) in chronological order.
- 1⇔Patroclus tells us of his father and mother.
- 2⇔We learn that Patroclus is a disappointment to his father.
- 3⇔Patroclus remembers being five years old and the games coming to his home.
- 4⇔Patroclus is holding the prize that will be given to the winning athlete.
- 5⇔Achilles wins the race.
- 6⇔Patroclus’s father insults his son saying he should be more like Achilles.
- 7⇔Patroclus sees Achilles celebrating with his father.
- Which of these sentences, all inspired by ‘The Song of Achilles’ ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire’), uses the word captivate (or a form of it) accurately?
- Captivatingly, Patroclus is in awe of Achilles.
- Achilles is captivated by Patroclus as he isn’t aware he even exists.
- Patroclus looks at Achilles closely, clearly captivated by the athlete. ✓
- Patroclus’s father is captivated by his son, always telling him off.
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- Which of these sentences, all inspired by ‘The Song of Achilles’ ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire’), uses the word renowned (or a form of it) accurately?
- Patroclus renowns Achilles, seeing him as a powerful athlete.
- Achilles was an impressive child, and became a renowned warrior as an adult. ✓
- Patroclus is renowned by his father who thinks of him as a disappointment.
- Miller bases her story on a renowned character, but shifts the perspective. ✓
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Worksheet
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Achilles is a renowned warrior from Greek mythology.
- Patroclus is another character from Greek mythology; he is the closest friend of Achilles.
- Madeline Miller wrote ‘The Song of Achilles’ from the first person perspective of Patroclus.
- To start, Miller focuses on the relationship between Patroclus and his father, and when Patroclus first sees Achilles.
- When annotating a text, you can use a range of symbols and notes to help develop an understanding of the text’s ideas.
Common misconception
Annotating means highlighting everything you think is important in a text.
Annotating is a skill that requires time and thought. Using symbols and short notes makes your annotations helpful and understandable, even if you come back to them at a much later date.
Keywords
First person - the narrator of the story is a character in the story, using pronouns like ‘I’ and ‘me’
Perspective - point of view
Renowned - famous
Captivate - to hold the attention of someone
Annotate - to make short notes on, and about, a text
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