Taking an analytical approach means examining something carefully to reach a conclusion.

The thesis is the main idea, argument or theory of a piece of writing.

If someone is affluent, they have a lot of money.

If something is quintessential, it represents the most perfect or typical example of something.

When you put a quotation inside your own sentence you have embedded it.

'A Christmas Carol': writing about Stave 1

English

'A Christmas Carol' Stave 1: Scrooge the Miser

'A Christmas Carol' Stave 1: The Characterisation of Scrooge

'A Christmas Carol' Stave 1: Meeting Marley's ghost

'A Christmas Carol': Scrooge as a very Victorian character

'A Christmas Carol': planning an essay on Scrooge

'A Christmas Carol' Stave 2: the first of the three spirits

'A Christmas Carol' Stave 2: Scrooge's childhood and Fezziwig

'A Christmas Carol' Stave 2: Belle

'A Christmas Carol': writing about Stave 2

'A Christmas Carol': improving analytical writing

'A Christmas Carol' Stave 3: the second of the three spirits

'A Christmas Carol' Stave 3: Christmas around the world

'A Christmas Carol' Stave 3: the Cratchits' Christmas

'A Christmas Carol' Stave 3: Scrooge and Fred as opposite characters

'A Christmas Carol' Stave 3: Ignorance and Want

'A Christmas Carol': writing about the presentation of children

'A Christmas Carol' Stave 4: the last of the three spirits

'A Christmas Carol' Stave 4: a significant death

'A Christmas Carol' Stave 4: death in the novella

'A Christmas Carol' Stave 4: Scrooge's fears

'A Christmas Carol' Stave 5: the change in Scrooge

'A Christmas Carol': symbolism in the novella

'A Christmas Carol': Scrooge's redemptive journey

'A Christmas Carol': planning an extended argument

'A Christmas Carol': writing an extended argument

In 'A Christmas Carol: Scrooge's redemption, pupils trace the way Scrooge changes across the text as a result of his interaction with the ghosts. In 'A Christmas Carol: a ghost story', pupils  examine the use of gothic tropes in more detail and in particular the use of the supernatural and the ghosts, which allow the past to interrupt the present and even future.

In 'Victorian Childhood', pupils read a number of non fiction extracts about the suffering of poor children and campaign for better laws to protect them as part of a persuasive speaking role play. In 'A Christmas Carol', pupils learn about Dickens as a social campaigner and the way in which he wrote the novella to encourage people to help the poor.

In this unit, pupils read and explore 'A Christmas Carol'. They start by reading the novella in full, pausing during each stave to analyse key scenes, characters, themes and methods. After reading the novella, pupils chart Scrooge's redemptive journey and craft an essay on the presentation of fear.

Nineteenth century text: first study

Discriminatory behaviour or images, whether on the grounds of race, gender, disability, religion or belief or sexual orientation, or otherwise.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Historic or outdated representations of people that may portray inequality or injustice.

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

contextualisation of the act/scene/chapter

Which of these elements would you not expect to see in an analytical introduction?

In regards to 'A Christmas Carol', which of these are the most precise and specific words to describe Marley's Ghost? 

The {{}} statement summarises the overarching argument from your introduction.

Which of the following make an analytical response successful? 

Dickens describes Scrooge's "red eyes" and "frosty rime".

Dickens states: "oh! but he was a tight-fisted hand at the grindstone."

This can be seen when Scrooge says "Bah! Humbug!"

Scrooge's "shrivelled" appearance illustrates his greed.

The "ponderous chain" that Scrooge is "forg[ing]" shows his avaricious nature.

Which of the following are examples of embedded quotations?

Scrooge has strived for affluence his whole life because of his fear of poverty.

Marley's Ghost feels great affluence in stave one.

Bob Cratchit is an affluential character because of his poverty.

Dickens had a great affluence on his middle-class readers.

The affluent middle-upper classes were ignorant to the plight of the poor.

Which of the following sentences uses the word 'affluent' or a variation of the word 'affluent' correctly?  

He warns Scrooge that he will be visited by three spirits.

He tells Scrooge to be more miserly and save his money.

He advises Scrooge to continue living a selfish life.

He encourages Scrooge to spend more time with his family.

He warns Scrooge that his fate will be bleak if he doesn't change.

What warning does Marley's Ghost give to Scrooge in stave one of 'A Christmas Carol'? 

He is indifferent and says he will think about it.

He is afraid of being ridiculed if he donates.

He gives a generous amount to the charity men.

How does Scrooge react to being asked for charity in stave one of 'A Christmas Carol'? 

He loves Christmas and looks forward to celebrating it.

He despises Christmas and refuses to celebrate it.

He believes Christmas is a time for giving and sharing.

He is indifferent to Christmas and isn't bothered about celebrating it.

What is Scrooge's attitude towards Christmas and the festive season in stave one of 'A Christmas Carol'? 

In which year was 'A Christmas Carol' published?

 The lack of technological progress in Victorian England.

The plight of the poor and the need for social reform.

The superiority of the upper class over the middle class.

What societal issues is Charles Dickens addressing through Scrooge's character and actions in Stave one of 'A Christmas Carol'?

extremely unusual or rare example of something

the most common or ordinary example of something

representing the most perfect and typical example of something

something that is lacking in essential qualities

describing something that is flawed and imperfect

Here is the word 'quintessential' used in a sentence: 'Scrooge, from 'A Christmas Carol', is a quintessential Victorian employer.' What might 'quintessential' mean? 

Starter Quiz

What warning does Marley's Ghost give to Scrooge in stave one of 'A Christmas Carol'?