Comparing Obama and James' use of rhetoric in the letter form

Comparing Obama and James' use of rhetoric in the letter form

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. In this lesson, we will compare the differences and similarities in the use of letter form as a way to encourage change by Michelle Obama and Lennie James. We will explore the key purpose of both letters. We will then study how both writers use rhetoric in similar or differing ways to reflect on the change that impacted themselves, others, and the world as a result.

Content guidance

  • Contains conflict or violence.

Supervision

Adult supervision suggested.

Licence

This content is made available by Oak National Academy Limited and its partners and licensed under Oak’s terms & conditions (Collection 1), except where otherwise stated.

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5 Questions

Q1.
‘Don’t throw your life away: be better than that.’ This is an example of (select two answers):
alliteration
Correct answer: dialysis
Correct answer: direct address
simile
Q2.
'We should be ashamed. I am’ This is an example of (select two answers):
Correct answer: dialysis
direct address
epiphora
Correct answer: imperative language
Q3.
An open letter is (select two answers):
Correct answer: addressed to a particular person or group of people
formal
Correct answer: intended for publication in a newspaper
usually found in diaries
Q4.
The main purpose of James' open letter is to (select two answers):
Correct answer: Condemn those involved in knife crime
Correct answer: Give advice to those involved in knife crime
Give instructions for knife crime
Give rules for those involved in knife crime
Q5.
At the start of the open letter, it is really important to James to build:
Correct answer: ethos
logos
reputation
the idea he is an expert

6 Questions

Q1.
Obama's letter is written to:
Provide a warning to herself
Provide a warning to others
Correct answer: Provide advice to herself and others
Raise awareness to herself and others
Q2.
James' letter is written to:
Provide advice to himself about becoming involved with knife crime
Provide advice to those involved with gun crime
Correct answer: Provide advice to those involved with knife crime
Provide discipline to those involved with gun crime
Q3.
A comparison is:
Correct answer: Finding the similarities and differences between two or more things
Finding the similarities and differences of one thing
Finding the way that two things have an audience
Finding the way that two things match up
Q4.
Nostalgia means:
A fond or regretful feeling when thinking of the future
Correct answer: A fond or regretful feeling when thinking of the past
A forgetting of the past
A remembering of a task you are about to do
Q5.
Some examples of comparison conjunctions are (select two answers):
Correct answer: alternatively
because
but
Correct answer: whereas
Q6.
Rhetoric is useful to use for the letter form because (select two answers):
Correct answer: It aids the writer to make an imapct
It helps you plan an argument
It helps you use a wider vocabulary
Correct answer: It persuades the reader to act upon the ideas shared

Lesson appears in

UnitEnglish / Rhetoric: Change: Michelle Obama & Lennie James

English