Starter quiz
- Which word beginning with 't' can be used to describe a statement that presents your overarching argument in an essay and is found in the introduction?
- 'thesis' ✓
- In 'An Inspector Calls', which character dismisses the idea of community and social responsibility as "nonsense"?
- 'Mr. Birling' ✓
- In 'An Inspector Calls', which character had Eva Smith fired from her job a the department store Milwards?
- Sybil Birling
- Sheila Birling ✓
- Eric Birling
- Arthur Birling
- Gerald Croft
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- Is the answer true or false? In 'An Inspector Calls', Mrs. Birling refuses help to Eva Smith because of her social status.
- 'True' ✓
- Here is an essay question about 'An Inspector Calls': 'How does Priestley use the character of Mr. Birling to comment on ideas about power?' What are the key words in the question?
- How ✓
- Priestley
- Mr. Birling ✓
- ideas
- power ✓
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- In 'An Inspector Calls', how does Gerald Croft react to the Inspector’s investigation?
- He denies any involvement and deflects blame.
- He takes full responsibility for his actions.
- He confesses but argues he was justified. ✓
- He tries to cover up his connection with Eva Smith.
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Exit quiz
- Starting with the first element, put the essay structure for analytical writing on 'An Inspector Calls' in chronological order.
- 1⇔introduction
- 2⇔main body paragraph 1, starting with a clear topic sentence
- 3⇔main body paragraph 2, starting with a clear topic sentence
- 4⇔main body paragraph 3, starting with a clear topic sentence
- 5⇔conclusion
- When writing essays on 'An Inspector Calls', you will include a thesis. Where should your thesis be found?
- at the start of each paragraph
- at the end of each paragraph
- in your introduction ✓
- in your planning materials ✓
- in your introduction, and then repeated, word for word, in your conclusion
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- Essays are made up of different elements. Match each element to its definition and purpose.
- introduction⇔moves from the general to the specific, includes your thesis ✓
- topic sentence⇔first sentence of each paragraph stating its main idea ✓
- analysis⇔exploration of moments, quotations and methods from the text ✓
- concluding sentence⇔last sentence of each paragraph; focus on writer's intention ✓
- conclusion⇔moves from the specific to the general; focus on the writer's impact ✓
- When you read an essay question on 'An Inspector Calls', what is the first step of the planning process?
- making a list of all the dramatic methods you can remember
- re-reading the text
- starting the essay, refining ideas in the editing stage
- writing a thesis statement
- annotating the question's keywords ✓
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- When planning an essay on 'An Inspector Calls', you should complete a detailed plan. Match each section of the planning grid to its definition.
- thesis⇔overarching argument supported by the whole text ✓
- topic sentence⇔first sentence of the paragraph stating your main idea ✓
- supporting details⇔references to the text ✓
- concluding sentence⇔final sentence of a paragraph, concluding your idea ✓
- conclusion⇔sums up your essay's overall thesis ✓
- A pupil drafts a sentence answering a question about Eric in 'An Inspector Calls': "Priestley reveals Eric's relationship to responsibility in Act 3." Is this a topic sentence or a thesis statement?
- thesis - it is about the character of Eric and no-one else
- thesis - it begins with Priestley's name showing he crafted the character
- neither - this is analysis because it refers to a particular scene
- topic sentence - it is focused on one clear idea ✓
- topic sentence - one idea supported by a moment in text rather than whole text ✓
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Worksheet
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Use the essay question as a planning tool by annotating its keywords.
- It's helpful to create a detailed plan which includes a clear thesis and focused topic sentences.
- A thesis is your overarching argument.
- A topic sentence states the paragraph’s main idea.
- Essays should follow a structure: introduction, main body paragraphs, conclusion.
Common misconception
All planning should be in note form.
Foundations of your essay - thesis and topic sentences - should be written in full so you know they are powerful, precise and purposeful.
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
Theme - an idea that is explored in a text in a number of different ways to fully explore the complexity
Specific - a precise detail
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