Starter quiz
- What does it mean to write humorously?
- to use complex and sophisticated language to sound intelligent
- to convey information in a serious and straightforward manner
- to entertain the reader by making them laugh or smile by witty writing ✓
- to write in a way that evokes fear or suspense
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- What would you expect from a text whose title begins with "How to..."?
- an exciting story with characters and a plot
- a detailed analysis of historical events or theories
- a guide on ways to accomplish a specific task or skill ✓
- a vivid and detailed description of a place or person
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- What is the best definition of anti-climax?
- a sudden change in a story that shifts the focus from one character to another
- the most exciting and intense part of a story or event
- a conclusion that is less exciting than expected ✓
- the introduction of a new character or plot twist that adds tension
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- When we talk about writers' techniques, what do we mean?
- the types of books a writer prefers to read
- the methods and strategies writers use to convey their ideas ✓
- the specific locations where a writer likes to work
- the personal opinions and beliefs of a writer
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- Why might we analyse a model answer?
- to find mistakes and criticise the writer's approach
- to compare it with our own answer for entertainment purposes
- to explore its structure, techniques, and content and see why it is effective ✓
- to use our understanding of the model answer to inform our own writing ✓
- to memorise it and use ideas and phrases in our own writing
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- If a piece of writing has a 'twist' at the end, what does this mean?
- The ending is predictable and follows the expected storyline.
- The writing concludes with a detailed summary of the main points.
- The ending contains an unexpected or surprising turn of events. ✓
- The writing ends abruptly without a clear conclusion.
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Exit quiz
- Which of the following is a synonym for "humorous"?
- melancholic
- funny ✓
- tragic
- stern
- wonderful
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- Match the keywords to their definitions.
- irony⇔where the intended meaning is opposite to what is actually being said ✓
- satire⇔the use of humour to criticise and expose flaws in society ✓
- bathos⇔a sudden drop from the serious to the trivial ✓
- hyperbole⇔a literary technique involving exaggerated statements ✓
- parody⇔imitation of a particular style or genre, made funny by exaggeration ✓
- Which of the following is an example of parody?
- a novel that uses stereotypes to mock the conventions of romantic comedy ✓
- a news article that reports an actual event with serious, factual information
- a poem that uses hyperbole to emphasise the extent of a hero’s achievements
- a TV show that highlights the absurdities in modern politics using wit and irony
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- Why might we use a numbered list in our writing?
- to create a narrative flow and build suspense
- to provide a detailed analysis of a complex subject in a structured format
- to separate different items or steps, making it clear how many there are ✓
- to highlight the emotional tone of a piece through descriptive language
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- Which technique is being used in the following statement: "I've told you a million times to tidy your room."?
- irony
- satire
- hyperbole ✓
- structure
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- Which technique is being used in the following sentence: "He gave a heartfelt speech about the importance of world peace and then reminded everyone to pick up their dry cleaning."?
- hyperbole
- bathos ✓
- irony
- parody
- satire
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Worksheet
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- When we satirise something, we use humour to criticise it.
- Humorous writing involves carefully deploying specific writing techniques.
- Techniques for humorous writing include irony, parody, bathos and hyperbole.
- A how to article can be structured in the form of a list or a step-by-step guide.
- When planning your humorous writing, it is important to identify the techniques you will use as well as the ideas.
Common misconception
Students sometimes think that that some people are just naturally funny and that being funny can't be taught.
Explain that humour is a skill that can be developed and practised by using words and phrases deliberately.
Keywords
Satire - use of humour or exaggeration to criticise or mock social practices or ideas
Hyperbole - exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally
Irony - a form of deliberate mockery in which one says the opposite of what is obviously true
Bathos - a sudden change from a beautiful or important subject to a silly or very ordinary one
To parody - to copy the style of someone or something in a humorous way
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