Starter quiz
- What paragraph does the thesis statement go in?
- introduction ✓
- main body
- conclusion
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- A thesis statement should...
- include quotes.
- include analysis.
- include the writer's purpose. ✓
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- In Shakespeare's 'Othello', how does the character of Iago link to the theme of appearance vs reality?
- He is malcontent, evoking vengeance on others
- He is deceitful, manipulating other characters' perception ✓
- He is satanic, purposely destroying other characters' happiness
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- What does Iago do in Act 3 Scene 3 of 'Othello' to act as director?
- stages a fabricated conversation with Cassio, whilst Othello is forced to listen ✓
- kills Roderigo and blames it on Cassio
- stages a kiss between Cassio and Desdemona, whilst Othello is forced to watch
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- What might Shakespeare's purpose be in exploring the theme of appearance vs reality in 'Othello'?
- to expose that you cannot trust your partner in a marriage
- to warn that outward appearances can be deceiving ✓
- to reveal that being deceitful can make you popular
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- Through his play 'Othello', how does Shakespeare warn the audience of being too trusting?
- Othello dies after being manipulated by Iago
- Venice is under attack due to trusting Iago's instincts
- all characters that trust Iago (Roderigo, Othello, Emilia) suffer a tragic end ✓
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Exit quiz
- Which character from 'Othello' can be considered a deceiving and contemptible antihero?
- Iago ✓
- Othello
- Desdemona
- Roderigo
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- Match the criteria with the correct element of the plan.
- explains the purpose of a body paragraph⇔topic sentence ✓
- supported by the entire text⇔thesis statement ✓
- found at the end of each body paragraph⇔concluding sentence ✓
- help you prove your topic sentence⇔supporting details ✓
- What could be improved about this topic sentence about 'Othello': 'Iago reveals himself to be deceitful through many soliloquies.'?
- it should be made longer
- offer more interpretation rather than just identifying devices ✓
- offer more commentary on devices rather than interpretation
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- Which topic sentence does not fit the thesis: 'Shakespeare shows Iago as inseparable from the theme of appearances vs reality.'?
- Othello is the most naïve character as he trusts Iago ✓
- Iago deceives Roderigo in Act 1
- Iago is a director in the play, manipulating Othello's perception of reality
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- How can you make your thesis statement more critically evaluative when writing an essay?
- offer a quote from the text
- offer some language analysis
- offer a slightly less common viewpoint ✓
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- What is true about the sequencing of topic sentences?
- start with the idea you have most quotes for
- each topic sentence should build upon the previous to gradually prove the thesis ✓
- end with the idea you have most quotes for
- the topic sentences can be in a random order as long as they prove the thesis
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Worksheet
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Presentation
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Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Critically evaluative thesis statements can be developed using 'whilst', 'not only' and 'crucially'.
- Thesis statements should address the writer's purpose or message, in relation to the question focus.
- Topic sentences should contain evaluative adjectives and phrases to communicate an interpretation - not devices.
- Topic sentences should develop in a sequence, to maintain focus on the argument.
Common misconception
As long as you have planned the argument of your essay, you are ready to write it.
Planning topic sentences to go with your argument is also important to ensure that your essay is focused on proving the argument.
Keywords
Deceit - the act of causing someone to believe something that is not true
Perception - the ability to hear, see or become aware of something
Contemptible - unworthy of respect
Topic sentence - the first sentence of a paragraph; it states the paragraph’s main idea
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