The overarching argument to an essay, supported by the entire text.

A piece of writing that explains and develops your own argument.

The tools a playwright uses to create drama. Examples are setting, stage directions, dialogue and language choices.

To make and add notes or short explanations to texts or images.

An idea that is explored in a text in a number of different ways to fully explore the complexity of that idea.

‘Leave Taking’: annotating essay questions and writing thesis statements

English

An introduction to Winsome Pinnock’s ‘Leave Taking’

The significance of Windrush to Winsome Pinnock’s ‘Leave Taking’

Exploring the presentation of 1980s Britain in Winsome Pinnock’s ‘Leave Taking’

Why did Winsome Pinnock write ‘Leave Taking’ and how do audiences respond to it?

An exploration of Scene Three of Winsome Pinnock’s ‘Leave Taking’

An exploration of Scene Four of Winsome Pinnock’s ‘Leave Taking’

An exploration of Scene Five of Winsome Pinnock's 'Leave Taking'

Scene Five of Pinnock’s ‘Leave Taking’: the relationship between Viv and Del

An exploration of Scene Six of Winsome Pinnock’s ‘Leave Taking’

An exploration of Scene Seven of Winsome Pinnock's 'Leave Taking'

An exploration of Scene Eight of Winsome Pinnock's 'Leave Taking'

Winsome Pinnock’s ‘Leave Taking’: the character of Enid

'Leave Taking': an exploration of shame and guilt through the character of Enid

Exploring the character of Del across the eight scenes of ‘Leave Taking’

Winsome Pinnock’s ‘Leave Taking’: the character of Del

Winsome Pinnock's 'Leave Taking': the character of Brod

The relationship between Mai and Del in Winsome Pinnock's 'Leave Taking'

Winsome Pinnock's 'Leave Taking': Enid’s relationships with Jamaica and England

Planning an essay on the theme of belonging in Winsome Pinnock's  ‘Leave Taking’

Using context effectively in 'Leave Taking' essays

Planning an essay about the character of Brod in ‘Leave Taking’

Introductions and conclusions in a ‘Leave Taking’ essay on the character of Mai

Model responses for a ‘Leave Taking’ essay about identity and belonging

Writing a ‘Leave Taking’ essay on the character of Viv and ideas of belonging

Exploring model responses to an essay about Viv and belonging in ‘Leave Taking’

In 'Leave Taking: A Sense of Belonging', pupils explore the themes of immigration and identity in the play. In 'Leave Taking: The Power of Education', pupils explore how a lack of representation in literature and other educational materials negatively impacts on sense of self.

in 'Small Island', pupils explore the themes of identity, race, colonisation - shedding light on the experiences of Jamaican immigrants in post-war Britain. In 'Leave Taking: A Sense of Belonging', pupils explore the experiences of second generation immigrants and the difficulties they face in 1980's Britain.

In this unit, pupils start their exploration of Winsome Pinnock's play, 'Leave Taking'. They first learn about the play's context of 1980s Britain and the Windrush generation before then reading and exploring the full play. They finally explore themes and characters before working on essay writing.

Modern 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

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

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of sexual or domestic abuse or violence, including  threats of or the aftermath of.

Depiction or discussion of sexual violence

A piece of writing that explains and develops an argument.

Overarching argument to an essay, supported by whole text.

First sentence of a paragraph, giving it direction/purpose.

You will write a number of essays about the play 'Leave Taking'. Match the essay term to its definition.

To write topic sentences you can use in an essay

To make and add notes or short explanations

To write down the notes you made on the play onto the essay question

To re-write the essay question in your own words

When given an essay question about 'Leave Taking', you should annotate it. What does it mean to annotate an essay question?

Many essay questions about 'Leave Taking' will start with the word "How". What does the "How" in an essay question refer to?

Here is an essay question about 'Leave Taking': 'How does Pinnock use the character of Brod to explore ideas about isolation?' What are the key words in the question?

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

In what ways is a thesis statement different to a topic sentence?

No - it is not supported by the whole text

''Leave Taking' begins with a conflict between Del and Enid, immediately establishing the idea that intergenerational conflict is important to Pinnock's play.' Is this sentence a thesis statement?

The central character in 'Leave Taking' is Enid. Which of the following are important in terms of Enid's identity?

In her introduction to 'Leave Taking', Pinnock describes Enid as "{{ }} between two worlds."

A theme is a character the writer creates.

The dialogue a writer includes to express their characters thoughts and feelings

A synonym for a motif - a recurring symbol in a text.

An idea that is explored in a text in a number of different ways.

In 'Leave Taking', many themes are explored. What is a theme?

In 'Leave Taking', why might Enid's sense of identity be fragile?

her complex relationship with her daughters

as a way to explore the historical figure, Nanny of the Maroons

In her introduction to 'Leave Taking', Pinnock says she became "fascinated" by the character of Enid. Why?

Previously, only Shakespeare's plays had heroes and heroines.

Pinnock had not seen a single mother in a lead role in a play before.

Pinnock had not seen a heroine talk in tongues on stage before.

Pinnock wanted to establish the idea of a Black British experience.

Pinnock had not seen a character portrayed as a cleaner in a lead role before.

Why did Pinnock want to make Enid the lead and heroine of her play, 'Leave Taking'?

Starter Quiz