Writing introductions and conclusions for an 'An Inspector Calls' essay | English

Starter quiz

Is the answer true or false? In 'An Inspector Calls' Mr. and Mrs. Birling take full responsibility for their actions.

'false' ✓
What does the term 'universal' mean in the context of a play's themes?

specific to one character's experience

relevant to everyone, regardless of time or place ✓

limited to the playwright's personal opinions

focused only on historical events
Starting with the first, put these plot points from 'An Inspector Calls' in chronological order. They all link to the theme of responsibility over Eva Smith's fate.

1

⇔

Mr. Birling denies responsibility, prioritising business over workers' welfare.

2

⇔

Sheila accepts her role in Eva's dismissal, showing regret and learning.

3

⇔

Gerald distances himself from blame but reveals his affair with Eva.

4

⇔

Mrs. Birling refuses responsibility, blaming Eva for her own situation.

5

⇔

Eric admits guilt for exploiting Eva, acknowledging his moral failure.

6

⇔

The Inspector highlights collective responsibility for Eva’s death.

7

⇔

The ambiguous ending challenges whether the characters will truly change.
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
Here is an essay question about 'An Inspector Calls': 'How does Priestley use the character of Gerald to explore ideas about class?' What are the key words in the question?

How ✓

Priestley

Gerald ✓

explore

class ✓
'In 'An Inspector Calls' Mr. Birling's characterisation is established by Priestley in the opening stage directions, where he is described as "portentous".' 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

Exit quiz

The themes in 'An Inspector Calls' could be described as ...

obsolete

timeless ✓

dated

universal ✓

archaic
Which word beginning with 't' describes: 'a statement that provides the overarching argument to an essay, supported by the entire text.'?

'thesis' ✓
Good introductions for an essay on 'An Inspector Calls' could follow a three part structure. Starting with the first, put the three part structure into the correct order.

1

⇔

a sentence about the text as a whole

2

⇔

a sentence about the given theme or character

3

⇔

a thesis statement
Good conclusions for an essay on 'An Inspector Calls' could follow a three part structure. Staring with the first, put the three part structure into the correct order.

1

⇔

specific response to your thesis

2

⇔

focus on writer’s overall purpose

3

⇔

impact of text today
A pupil wrote an introduction to an essay which included a general statement about the text and a general statement about the essay's chosen theme. What is their introduction missing?

a summary of the plot

mention of dramatic methods

language analysis

supporting quotations

a thesis statement ✓
A pupil wrote a conclusion to a 'An Inspector Calls' essay which included a response to their thesis and a focus on the impact of the text today. What is their conclusion missing?

supporting quotations

analysis of dramatic methods

an explanation about how much youthey liked the text

a focus on Priestley's intentions ✓

autobiographical detail about Priestley

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Lesson Details

Key learning points

An introduction and conclusion could follow a three part structure.
An excellent introduction could start with a general statement about the text.
An introduction could then have a more specific statement about the focus of the question, followed by a thesis.
A conclusion could consider the timeless nature of the text.

Common misconception

The general statement about the text in the introduction can be any fact you know about it.

The general statement, the first sentence of your introduction, should still connect to the essay question.

Keywords

Thesis - the overarching argument to an essay, supported by the entire text
Theme - an idea that is explored multiple times in a text
Timeless - a text that remains relevant no matter the time period
Universal - an adjective used to describe a text which, regardless of time period or circumstance, audiences can relate to