Starter quiz
- What do we mean when we talk about a writer's methods?
- ideas, emotions and feelings generated by the writing
- social, historical and cultural context
- literary devices, grammatical choices and structural choices ✓
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- What is juxtaposition?
- when two words placed near to each other mean similar things
- describing a scene spatially
- placing two things near to each other for contrasting effect ✓
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- What is sensory language?
- language that describes someone's innermost feelings.
- language that describes what one can smell, taste, see, touch, hear ✓
- language that expresses commands
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- What does vivid mean?
- unclear, confused
- beautiful, mesmerising
- bright, clear ✓
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- Match the techniques on the left with the examples on the right.
- vivid adjectives⇔The sturdy vines tangled over the brick. ✓
- juxtaposition⇔The bright days of summer soon melted into cruel, harsh November days. ✓
- sensory language⇔The scarlet roses unleashed a honeyed fragrance. ✓
- Which of the below is the most idyllic setting?
- a fragrant meadow ✓
- a grubby mansion
- a neglected barn
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Exit quiz
- What is a memoir?
- an embellished account of the highlights of someone's life
- a fictional tale
- a written account of someone's own life and experiences ✓
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- What does formative mean?
- producing a powerful feeling or strong, clear images in one's mind
- having a profound influence on someone's development ✓
- extremely happy, peaceful or picturesque
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- What is a particularly formative moment in Keller's childhood according to 'The Story of My Life'?
- getting a dog
- going to primary school
- developing an illness ✓
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- What method does Keller use to paint a vivid image of her idyllic early years in the reader's mind in 'The Story of My Life'?
- onomatopoeia
- anaphora
- sensory language ✓
- personification
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- What does Keller use to add precision and detail to her memories in 'The Story of My Life'?
- alliteration
- sibilance
- embedded clause ✓
- adverbs
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- Which sentence uses an embedded clause?
- The roses, which I planted myself, are beautiful. ✓
- Unfortunately, I had to walk to the store this morning.
- I finished my maths homework well before dinner.
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Worksheet
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Presentation
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Memoirs are historical accounts or biographies written from personal experience or knowledge.
- Helen Keller's memoir describes an idyllic childhood juxtaposed with description of the illness that changed her life.
- Keller uses sensory language and juxtaposition to make her childhood account more vivid.
- Sensory language can be made more vivid if we add adjectives and embedded clauses.
- Contrasting sets of words and phrases highlight the differing feelings attached to memories.
Common misconception
Students might be used to writing their memories as a stream of consciousness, without stopping to consider craft.
Writing memories as a stream of consciousness is a good place to start. However, once one thinks about publishing work, editing and conscious crafting is necessary.
Keywords
Memoir - a written account of one's own life and experiences
Formative - having a profound influence on someone's development
Vivid - producing a powerful feeling or strong, clear images in one’s mind
Idyllic - extremely happy, peaceful or picturesque
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