Starter quiz
- Starting with the first, put these plot points from 'An Inspector Calls' into chronological order.
- 1⇔The Birlings celebrate Sheila and Gerald’s engagement.
- 2⇔Inspector Goole arrives, announcing Eva Smith’s suicide.
- 3⇔Mr. Birling admits he fired Eva from his factory.
- 4⇔Sheila confesses to having Eva fired out of jealousy.
- 5⇔Gerald reveals his affair with Eva, straining his engagement.
- 6⇔Mrs. Birling rejects Eva’s plea for help at the charity.
- 7⇔Eric admits responsibility for Eva’s pregnancy and theft of his father's money.
- Many themes are explored in 'An Inspector Calls. What is a theme?
- a character the writer creates
- the dialogue a writer includes to express the characters' thoughts and feelings
- a synonym for a 'motif' - a recurring symbol in a text
- the plot the writer creates
- an idea that is explored in a text in a number of different ways ✓
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- Which character from 'An Inspector Calls' is described as both "shy" and "assertive" in the stage directions?
- 'Eric Birling' ✓
- In 'An Inspector Calls' which character admits to feeling "ashamed" about their involvement with Eva Smith?
- 'Sheila Birling' ✓
- In 'An Inspector Calls', which character dismisses the idea of community and social responsibility as "nonsense"?
- Mr. Birling ✓
- Mrs. Birling
- Sheila
- Eric
- Gerald
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- Which of the following is an example of prejudice in 'An Inspector Calls'?
- Sheila's remorse after discovering her role in Eva's death.
- Mrs. Birling's refusal to help Eva Smith because of her social status. ✓
- The Inspector’s criticism of the Birlings' lack of social responsibility.
- Eric’s anger at his family’s treatment of Eva Smith.
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Exit quiz
- You will write a number of essays about the play 'An Inspector Calls'. Match the essay term to its definition.
- essay⇔A piece of writing that explains and develops an argument. ✓
- thesis⇔Overarching argument to an essay, supported by whole text. ✓
- topic sentence⇔First sentence of a paragraph, giving it direction/purpose. ✓
- When given an essay question about 'An Inspector Calls', you should annotate it. What does it mean to annotate an essay question?
- to write topic sentences you can use in an essay
- to make and add notes or short explanations ✓
- to create a thesis statement
- to write down the notes you made on the play onto the essay question
- to re-write the essay question in your own words
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- Many essay questions about 'An Inspector Calls' will start with the word "How". What does the "How" in an essay question refer to?
- themes
- dramatic methods ✓
- annotations
- the writer
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- Here is an essay question about 'An Inspector Calls': 'How does Priestley use the character of Eric to explore ideas about responsibility?' What are the key words in the question?
- How ✓
- Priestley
- Eric ✓
- ideas
- responsibility ✓
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- In what ways is a thesis statement different to a topic sentence?
- a thesis statement is shorter
- a thesis statement is supported by the whole text ✓
- a thesis statement must include quotations
- a topic sentence will focus on one specific idea in a text ✓
- a topic sentence shouldn't be argumentative, unlike a thesis
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- "An Inspector Calls' begins in the Birlings' "comfortable" dining room, immediately establishing the characters' class and wealth.' Is this sentence a thesis statement?
- Yes - it looks at dramatic methods
- Yes - it looks at an important theme
- No - it is not supported by the whole text ✓
- No - it mentions Priestley's name
- No - it doesn't include quotations
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Essays are extended pieces of writing in which you establish and explain your own ideas.
- Underlining keywords and annotating an essay question helps direct your thinking.
- It is useful to connect keywords to plot points and themes.
- Essays begin with a thesis.
- A thesis is an idea supported by the whole text.
Common misconception
Spending too much time reading the question wastes time when you could be writing the essay.
Spending time reading the question allows us to select what is relevant. It is just as important to know what not to include in a well argued response.
Keywords
Thesis - the overarching argument to an essay, supported by the entire text
Essay - a piece of writing that explains and develops your own argument
Dramatic methods - the tools a playwright uses to create drama. Examples are setting, stage directions, dialogue and language choices
Annotate - to make and add notes or short explanations to texts or images
Theme - an idea that is explored in a text in a number of different ways to fully explore the complexity
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