The sinking of The Titanic...

Terrible accidentorAvoidable disaster?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ofctE1C7AU

Many people believe that the Titanic disaster could have been avoided and certain people are to blame for the huge loss of life.

Watch the clip below and read the evidence sheets.Collect evidence for each suspect on your evidence sheet.

Lesson 1

Your task is to write a discussion piece on who was to blame for the sinking of the Titanic. What a Disaster!

What is the purpose of discussion text?Is it one sided?

Lesson 2 –Writing our introduction and first paragraph.

Planning and drafting

Title: Use a question to engage the reader.

Who was to blame for the Titanic Disaster?

Remember to include:The date the Titanic set sailWhere the ship left from, and where it was heading.The date the collision happened

The fact, the ship hit an iceberg.The fact that over 1500, people died.What your discussion piece is discussing..

Introduction

Main body of textA paragraph of evidence

for each person (at least 3 paragraphs)

This is a balanced discussion - so don't reveal what YOU think until the conclusion. You are simply giving your audience the facts and reasons so that they can make up their own minds.

The evidence written on your ‘Who’s to blame’ sheet.

Use the evidence to write a paragraph, using precise vocabulary and the language of discussion.

A discussion is a formal piece of writing so therefore you need to choose precise vocabulary – don’t let your writing sound too chatty. ( Make it sound like a news report than a chat to a friend)

-Say who was to blame-Remind audience what we are discussing-Give more than one reason-Don't make it too personal (some people believe, others think)-Conclude with a summary

Lesson 3 - write your next two paragraphs, using your ‘Who’s to blame Sheet’ to build up the evidence and the conclusion.

ConclusionSum up the evidence and finish with your

opinion

After analysing the evidence of each suspect, it is my opinion that many people played a part in the demise of the great ship and it’s passengers. From the poor quality materials used to build HMS Titanic, to the fact that Captain Smith ignored so many ice berg warnings; these failings compromised the lives of so many. However, I believe the main culprit to be Thomas Andrews, as his design of the watertight compartments as well the lack of lifeboats on board, led to the loss of so many lives. Now you have read the evidence, who do you think was to blame?

Lesson 4: writing up.Literacy book check

Neat handwriting

Full sentences

Best spelling

Three types of sentences

Before writing up your work, make sure you have edited carefully.

• I’ve used resources around the classroom to help with my spelling

• I’ve reread my work to check it makes sense

• I’ve used a thesaurus to ensure I have precise vocabulary

• Capital letters and full stops are all correct

• If my work is unfinished I will talk to my teacher about when to complete it