Starter quiz
- In which year was 'Frankenstein' published?
- 1818 ✓
- 1819
- 1820
- 1821
- 1822
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- Why did some people fear new discoveries made in the Scientific Revolution?
- the Victorian population did not support civil progress
- the discoveries contradicted the teachings of the Bible ✓
- the Victorians were very nervous and superstitious people
- the discoveries were not well-researched enough to be credible
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- In what way is Victor Frankenstein punished for his irresponsible actions in 'Frankenstein'?
- his Creation is ultimately destroyed
- his wife (Elizabeth) divorces him
- many of his loved ones are murdered ✓
- he is unsuccessful in his scientific experiment
- he suffers psychological torment and trauma ✓
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- What made the Creature in 'Frankenstein' turn to violence and aggression?
- ignorance
- poverty
- isolation ✓
- rejection ✓
- failure
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- When planning an essay, what does the supporting detail in a paragraph outline not need to contain?
- plot summary ✓
- quotations from the text
- relevant contextual details
- identification of the writer's methods
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- Which is the best opening to an analytical response?
- Mary Shelley uses a simile in the novel 'Frankenstein' because..
- The famous book 'Frankenstein'...
- 'Frankenstein' is a story about...
- In Mary Shelley's novel...
- In her novel 'Frankenstein', Mary Shelley.... ✓
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Exit quiz
- Which question forces you to focus on the writer's intentions?
- what?
- how?
- why? ✓
- who?
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- Which of these would not be a useful question to ask yourself when thinking about the writer's intentions?
- Why did the writer create this character?
- Why did the writer choose to use this specific word and not another?
- Why did the writer make this happen at this moment?
- Why did the writer choose to have a particular text size? ✓
- Why did the writer publish the book in the first place?
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- Which of the following is an embedded quotation?
- The Creature's lips are "straight [and] black". ✓
- The Creatures states: "misery made me a fiend".
- Victor tells Walton: "there is nothing so dangerous..."
- Victor scolds his "wretch" by reminding him... ✓
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- Why was Victor agreeing to create a second female Creature in 'Frankenstein' an irresponsible decision?
- It wasn't Victor's ambition to create two Creatures.
- The second Creature might mate with the first and create a line of Creatures. ✓
- Victor did not have the time to create a second Creature.
- Victor had to break his promise to the Creature, which enraged him more. ✓
- Victor had run out of money and so couldn't actually afford to make her.
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- Why might Shelley have characterised Victor in 'Frankenstein' as careless and irresponsible?
- to show the wonders of ambition
- to warn about the potential dangers of scientific advancement ✓
- to show that scientific progress was not something to aspire to
- to warn about the consequences of being a parent
- to show the consequences of moral transgression ✓
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- Which of the following makes a convincing analytical essay?
- long and detailed quotations
- a clear focus on the writer's intentions ✓
- a comprehensive plot summary
- a formal and academic tone ✓
- a wide variety of punctuation
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Worksheet
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Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- It is important to understand a text's context, as this enhances our understanding of why it was written.
- To keep focus on the writer’s intentions in your response, ask yourself ‘why’ at each stage in the writing process.
- Victor Frankenstein is characterised as irresponsible to reflect Shelley’s concerns about unethical science.
- A convincing analytical response should follow one line of argument.
- Focusing on an author's intention results in stronger analytical writing.
Common misconception
Students often simply 'method spot' in analytical responses.
The writer's intention should form part of students' analysis of the text, as they should be outlining why the writer has used the method.
Keywords
Writer's intentions - The writer’s intentions are what they hope to achieve through writing the text.
Irresponsible - To be irresponsible means not behaving in a sensible or responsible manner
Method - This is anything a writer does intentionally.
Convincing - A convincing response is well-evidenced, with a clear line of argument and a formal, academic tone.
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