Analysing structure: Ten Minutes’ musing by Alice Dunbar Nelson

This lesson, we will focus on a small section of the short story we have been reading, Ten Minutes’ Musing by Alice Dunbar Nelson, and think about how the writer uses language to communicate particular ideas and effects. You will need a pen and paper.

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Quiz:

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Before we start this lesson, let’s see what you can remember from this topic. Here’s a quick quiz!

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question 5

Question 6

Q1.In the title, Ten Minutes' Musing, what does the word "musing" mean?

watching a fight thinking and reflecting laughing

1/5

Q2.What kind of narrator is used in the story?

a first-person narrator a second-person narrator a third-person narrator

2/5

Q3.What is the occupation of the narrator in the story?

writer teacher doctor

3/5

Q4.Alice Dunbar Nelson was a writer and part of a cultural and artistic movement called...

The Harlem Writers The African American Renaissance The Renaissance The Harlem Renaissance

4/5

Q5.Which of the following themes do you think the short story, Ten Minutes' Musing explores?

power

true false

greed

true false

love

true false

human nature

true false

revenge

true false

family

true false

5/5

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Quiz:

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Before we start this lesson, let’s see what you can remember from this topic. Here’s a quick quiz!

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question 5

Question 6

Q1.In the title, Ten Minutes' Musing, what does the word "musing" mean?

watching a fight thinking and reflecting laughing

1/5

Q2.What kind of narrator is used in the story?

a first-person narrator a second-person narrator a third-person narrator

2/5

Q3.What is the occupation of the narrator in the story?

writer teacher doctor

3/5

Q4.Alice Dunbar Nelson was a writer and part of a cultural and artistic movement called...

The Harlem Writers The African American Renaissance The Renaissance The Harlem Renaissance

4/5

Q5.Which of the following themes do you think the short story, Ten Minutes' Musing explores?

power

true false

greed

true false

love

true false

human nature

true false

revenge

true false

family

true false

5/5

Video

Play video

Click on the play button to start the video. If your teacher asks you to pause the video and look at the worksheet you should:

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This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Quiz:

Analysing Structure: Quiz

Complete the questions below to check your understanding.

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question 5

Question 6

Q1.When you analyse structure you should explore...

the words and phrases the writer is using. the effect of techniques such as simile and metaphor. the sequence and organisation of ideas.

1/5

Q2.Is this statement true or false? "When you look at the structure of a text you just need to summarise what happens."

true false

2/5

Q3.Which of the statements are true?

The story is set in a school playground.

true false

The story is narrated by the principal.

true false

The writer uses a first-person narrator.

true false

The narrator describes the boys playing football.

true false

The writer uses a combination of internal thoughts and external actions.

true false

3/5

Q4.Sort the events in the story into the correct order.

the narrator describes the “seething mob” in detail, showing the stronger boys trampling on the weak.

First,... Next,... Then,... Finally,...

the writer introduces a teacher rushing outside to stop a “mob” of boys.

First,... Next,... Then,... Finally,...

the school bell rings and the story shifts back to the narrator’s reality.

First,... Next,... Then,... Finally,...

there is a shift in focus from external action to internal thought as the narrator starts "musing"

First,... Next,... Then,... Finally,...

4/5

Q5.Sort the following methods into language devices and structural devices.

change of focus

language device structural device

metaphors

language device structural device

word choice

language device structural device

sequence of events

language device structural device

powerful verbs

language device structural device

setting

language device structural device

simile

language device structural device

5/5

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Quiz:

Analysing Structure: Quiz

Complete the questions below to check your understanding.

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question 5

Question 6

Q1.When you analyse structure you should explore...

the words and phrases the writer is using. the effect of techniques such as simile and metaphor. the sequence and organisation of ideas.

1/5

Q2.Is this statement true or false? "When you look at the structure of a text you just need to summarise what happens."

true false

2/5

Q3.Which of the statements are true?

The story is set in a school playground.

true false

The story is narrated by the principal.

true false

The writer uses a first-person narrator.

true false

The narrator describes the boys playing football.

true false

The writer uses a combination of internal thoughts and external actions.

true false

3/5

Q4.Sort the events in the story into the correct order.

the narrator describes the “seething mob” in detail, showing the stronger boys trampling on the weak.

First,... Next,... Then,... Finally,...

the writer introduces a teacher rushing outside to stop a “mob” of boys.

First,... Next,... Then,... Finally,...

the school bell rings and the story shifts back to the narrator’s reality.

First,... Next,... Then,... Finally,...

there is a shift in focus from external action to internal thought as the narrator starts "musing"

First,... Next,... Then,... Finally,...

4/5

Q5.Sort the following methods into language devices and structural devices.

change of focus

language device structural device

metaphors

language device structural device

word choice

language device structural device

sequence of events

language device structural device

powerful verbs

language device structural device

setting

language device structural device

simile

language device structural device

5/5

Lesson summary: Analysing structure: Ten Minutes’ musing by Alice Dunbar Nelson

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The next lesson in The Short Story is "Language Analysis: Ten Minutes’ musing by Alice Dunbar Nelson"

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