Writing to entertain

1. (Starter): British humour

Required Resources

• Slides 1-4
• Student Worksheet 1

Delivery

• Display Slides 1-2 which contain 3 definitions of parody.
• Explain that British humour is often based on 'parody' (the imitation of another style or individual via exaggerated mockery of their characteristics). Ask if pupils think of any British comedy shows which employ this?
• Show Slide 3 and ask students to identify which characteristics are being parodied by Vicky Pollard in Little Britain.
• Explain that parody is often used against those in authority in order to reduce the perceived threat of their power and to create bonds between individuals who share similar views.
• Explain that the purpose of this lesson is to use this notion of parody to entertain a reader. Students will have to:
  • Create a fully realised character by giving a range of details about them which a reader would recognise as being part of their stereotype.
  • Parody these conventions for humorous effect, imagining that this character is being introduced into a novel.
• These exercises rely on being able to write to describe, so students should complete one of the exercises on Student Worksheet 1 in order to recap on the techniques used. Before they start, display Slide 4 which contains a list of techniques which can be used and discuss these as a class.
• Ask pupils to share some of the sentences which they have created.

Differentiation

Higher Ability:

Discuss the notion of stereotypes and consider why (when inaccurate) these stereotypes exist as a widely used form of representation (suggest a couple of good examples e.g. banker, vicar, school teacher, army officer). Higher ability pupils should also add to the list of Writing to Describe techniques on Student Worksheet 1.