When evaluating a response, you weigh up its success and make a judgement about it.

If something catalyses something else, it starts or triggers it.

Evolving means developing or changing gradually (usually for the better).

'A Christmas Carol': writing an extended argument

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': writing about Stave 1

'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

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

They motivate him to become a better person.

They drive his selfish and miserly behaviour.

They have corrupted his kindness and caused him to value the wrong things.

Which of the following statements is *not* true about Scrooge's fears in 'A Christmas Carol'? 

Starting with the bottom layer, put the layers of an analytical piece of writing in order.

Which of the following can be best used to help you structure your argument and to show links between ideas? 

Choose one word from the options below to complete the sentence: As the 'A Christmas Carol' progresses, Scrooge's fears __________ to reflect his character development.

Which of the following is the most precise word to describe Scrooge's behaviour in Stave 1 of 'A Christmas Carol'? 

that Scrooge has many fears that stop him from living his life

that fear can be both corruptive and transformative

that fear rarely motivates people to become better

that fear always has a negative impact upon a person’s character

Which of the following explanations best illustrates what Dickens is trying to show us about fear in 'A Christmas Carol'?

How many spirits visit Scrooge over the course of the novella 'A Christmas Carol'? 

Which of the following is not a fear of Scrooge's in 'A Christmas Carol'?  

Complete the quotation from Stave 5 of 'A Christmas Carol': "I will {{}} Christmas in my heart..."

Complete the sentence: In 'A Christmas Carol', Scrooge embodies {{}} ideology. Dickens uses Scrooge to criticise this ideology and its devastating impact upon society.

to be able to explain something effectively

to examine something from a single perspective

to examine a quotation, looking for layers of meaning

to weigh up the success of something by considering how effective it has been

to make a quick decision between two options as to which is best

Marley's ghost visits Scrooge and tells him that he will be visited by 3 ghosts

We see significant moments from Scrooge's past to understand where he went wrong

We witness Christmas all around the world, including at Bob's house and Fred's

We meet the characters Ignorance and Want, who embody Dickens' fears for society

We hear of the death of an anonymous dead man, who later turns out to be Scrooge

Scrooge repents for his sins and vows to heed the spirits' messages

Scrooge buys the Cratchits the prize turkey and becomes a moral citizen

Starting with the first, put the following events from 'A Christmas Carol' in chronological order. 

Starter Quiz

How many spirits visit Scrooge over the course of the novella 'A Christmas Carol'?