The Diary of Anne Frank - Anne's Use of Language

This engaging and informative lesson helps students to demonstrate a clear understanding of the descriptive language used by Anne Frank in her ‘Diary of a Young Girl.’ Students explore how Anne uses techniques such as varied vocabulary, personification, and metaphors to describe scenes and events to the audience. Students also have a go at using their own imaginative language devices through their own diary entries.

The lesson follows a step-by-step learning journey, in which children learn through:
-Completing a card-sorting activity to define and exemplify each of the descriptive devices;
- Reading and understanding extracts from a section of Anne Frank's Diary, in which Anne describes her fear during a bombing, and her anger with her fellow annex inhabitants;
- Identifying and analysing Anne's use of language devices throughout the extract;
- Writing their own language device-filled diary attempts, with support from a helpsheet and a model example;
- Self assessing their own learning attempts.

Included is:
- Whole lesson PowerPoint - colourful and comprehensive;
- Anne's Language Devices Worksheet (and answer sheet);
- Selected extracts - The Diary of Anne Frank;
- Cards for sorting activity;
- Writing to Describe Helpsheet;
- Comprehensive lesson plan.

There are also opportunities for group learning, speaking and listening, peer assessment, and whole class discussion. I originally used these resources with a mixed-ability year 8 class, however colleagues have used them for between years 5 and 9 with minimal adaptations.

All images are licensed for commercial use, and image rights are listed on the last page of the presentation.