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English lesson plan · 9th grade (Year 10 in England) · 60 minutes

Word choice that reveals a writer's attitude

Vocabulary

CCSS L.9-10.5.BCCSS RI.9-10.4England: GCSE English Language Paper 2 Q3England: SAT Reading and Writing (Words in Context)

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Word choice that reveals a writer's attitude.

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: Near-synonyms: strength and shades of meaning; Connotation and denotation

Leads to: Precise reporting verbs: argues, concedes, refutes, speculates…; Bias and loaded language in reporting; Words for tone and attitude: indignant, sardonic, conciliatory…

Materials: Word cards, A thesaurus or dictionary, A short text with the target words, Mini whiteboards, A short model text on the board, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 6 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Near-synonyms: strength and shades of meaning; Connotation and denotation). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Read the question and choose. Which word has the most POSITIVE connotation for someone who saves money? (cheap / stingy / mean / thrifty) → thriftyPrompt: Denotation is the dictionary meaning; connotation is the feeling a word carries.
  2. Choose the word whose exact shade of meaning best fits the context. He refused to change his mind even when he was clearly wrong; he was simply ___. (principled / determined / pig-headed / resolute) → pig-headedPrompt: All the choices are related. Look for the detail in the sentence that rules most of them out.
  3. Read the question and choose. Which word has the most POSITIVE connotation for someone thin? (scrawny / slender / bony / skinny) → slenderPrompt: Denotation is the dictionary meaning; connotation is the feeling a word carries.

Hook · 6 min

  • Show an interesting word in a sentence and ask what it might mean from the clues around it.
  • Share the objective: Word choice that reveals a writer's attitude. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 12 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: Choose the word that best conveys the writer's attitude. The writer is critical of the crowd: "A ___ gathered outside the stadium."
  • Step 1: Connotation lets a writer show approval or criticism without saying it directly.
  • Step 2: Put it back into the sentence and read it aloud: "The writer is critical of the crowd: "A mob gathered outside the stadium.""
  • Step 3: So the answer is: mob
  • Answer: mob
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 12 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. Is the proposed answer correct? The writer disapproves of the politician: "The minister ___ the question." → answered (yes, it is correct / no, it is not correct) → no, it is not correctPrompt: Decide whether the writer's attitude is positive or negative.
  2. Choose the word that best conveys the writer's attitude. The writer mocks the celebrity's book: "The memoir is a ___ of self-praise." (torrent / collection / record / summary) → torrentPrompt: Decide whether the writer's attitude is positive or negative.

You do: independent practice · 17 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 7 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Is the proposed answer correct? The writer is impressed by the building: "The new library ___ over the square." → lurks (yes, it is correct / no, it is not correct) → no, it is not correctPrompt: Decide whether the writer's attitude is positive or negative.
  2. Choose the word that best conveys the writer's attitude. The writer mocks the celebrity's book: "The memoir is a ___ of self-praise." (summary / record / torrent / collection) → torrentPrompt: Decide whether the writer's attitude is positive or negative.

Watch out for

  • Picking a "bigger" synonym that doesn't fit the meaning.
  • Ignoring the clues in the rest of the sentence.

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: Near-synonyms: strength and shades of meaning.
  • Use concrete materials: word cards.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Move on to: Precise reporting verbs: argues, concedes, refutes, speculates…; Bias and loaded language in reporting; Words for tone and attitude: indignant, sardonic, conciliatory….
  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-9.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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Word choice that reveals a writer's attitude

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    Is the proposed answer correct? The writer sympathises with the workers: "The workers ___ for fair pay." → moaned

    • A. yes, it is correct
    • B. no, it is not correct

  2. Question 2

    Choose the word that best conveys the writer's attitude. The writer disapproves of the politician: "The minister ___ the question."

    • A. answered
    • B. dodged
    • C. considered
    • D. addressed

  3. Question 3

    Is the proposed answer correct? The writer finds the building threatening: "The new tower ___ over the square." → soars

    • A. yes, it is correct
    • B. no, it is not correct

  4. Question 4

    Is the proposed answer correct? The writer finds the building threatening: "The new tower ___ over the square." → looms

    • A. yes, it is correct
    • B. no, it is not correct

  5. Question 5

    Choose the word that best conveys the writer's attitude. The writer mocks the celebrity's book: "The memoir is a ___ of self-praise."

    • A. torrent
    • B. summary
    • C. collection
    • D. record

  6. Question 6

    Is the proposed answer correct? The writer sympathises with the workers: "The workers ___ for fair pay." → grumbled

    • A. yes, it is correct
    • B. no, it is not correct

  7. Question 7

    Choose the word that best conveys the writer's attitude. The writer respects the scientist's caution: "Dr Lee was ___ about her findings."

    • A. measured
    • B. timid
    • C. wishy-washy
    • D. evasive

  8. Question 8

    Is the proposed answer correct? The writer is critical of the crowd: "A ___ gathered outside the stadium." → group of fans

    • A. yes, it is correct
    • B. no, it is not correct

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Answer key: Word choice that reveals a writer's attitude

  1. 1. B. no, it is not correct

  2. 2. B. dodged

  3. 3. B. no, it is not correct

  4. 4. A. yes, it is correct

  5. 5. A. torrent

  6. 6. B. no, it is not correct

  7. 7. A. measured

  8. 8. B. no, it is not correct