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

the first sentence of a paragraph- it states the paragraph’s main idea

these are quotations which support your topic sentence, and that require analysis

these are quotations which support your topic sentence, but don’t require analysis

to treat someone or a group of people as if they are not important; to place them outside of society

'Small Island': creating topic sentences and using quotes in essays

English

Exploring 'Small Island' and the Windrush context

Helen Edmundson on adapting 'Small Island' for the stage

'Small Island': from page to stage

'Small Island': reading the start of Act 1 Scene 1

'Small Island': exploring the theme of power through Little Hortense

'Small Island': tracking the events of Act 1 Scene 1

'Small Island': the significance of the hurricane

Watching and discussing 'Small Island' Act 1 Scene 1 with director Rufus Norris

'Small Island': reading Act 1 Scene 2

Watching and discussing 'Small Island' Act 1 Scene 2 with director Rufus Norris

'Small Island': reading the beginning of Act 1 Scene 3

'Small Island': reading the end of Act 1 Scene 3

Watching 'Small Island' Act 1 Scene 3 with Rufus Norris and Helen Edmundson

'Small Island': reading Act 1, Scenes 4-6

'Small Island': reading Act 1, Scenes 7 and 8

Watching and discussing 'Small Island' Act 1 Scenes 4-8 with Rufus Norris

'Small Island': exploring Act 1 through the context of Windrush

Exploring and evaluating the importance of Act 1

'Small Island': reading Act 2, Scene 1

Watching and discussing 'Small Island' Act 2 Scene 1 with Helen Edmundson

'Small Island': reading Act 2, Scenes 2 to 4

'Small Island': reading Act 2, Scenes 5 to 6

Watching and discussing 'Small Island' Act 2 Scenes 2 to 6 with Rufus Norris

'Small Island': reading Act 2, Scenes 7 and 8

'Small Island': reading Act 2, Scenes 9 to 11

Watching 'Small Island' Act 2 Scenes 7-11 with Rufus Norris and Helen Edmundson

Rufus Norris on directing and adapting 'Small Island'

Tracking characters and tension in 'Small Island'

Helen Edmundson on the context, characters and themes of 'Small Island'

Understanding questions and writing thesis statements on ‘Small Island’

Essay writing: using context in responses to ‘Small Island’

Introductions and conclusions in a 'Small Island' essay

Planning and writing a 'Small Island' essay

Refining and improving an essay on 'Small Island'

In 'Small Island', pupils explore the ways in which transferring Levy's novel onto the stage enables both the playwright and the director to powerfully evoke its ideas about race, identity and belonging. In 'Leave Taking', pupils build on their learning about the Windrush Generation to explore the cultural and generational conflicts, that can arise as a result of migration. 

In 'The Tempest', pupils examine the roles of Caliban and Ariel and how they are treated as outsiders, questioning who has a rightful claim to the island. In 'Small Island', pupils look at the play in the context of the Windrush generation and through the lens of key themes, including identity and belonging.  

In this unit, pupils explore the playtext adaptation of Andrea Levy's novel 'Small Island'. They first explore the transition from novel to stage, before reading the playtext in full and exploring key scenes in detail. They then plan and write an essay on the theme of 'hope' in the text.

'Small Island'

Expressions that are regarded as coarse or otherwise unacceptable, including swear words and rude words.

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.

writing down all the quotations you know off by heart

When planning for an essay on 'Small Island', what is the first step of the planning process?

What would be the key words in this essay question: how does Edmundson use the character of Hortense to explore the theme of hope?

This won't be a thesis until it includes quotations.

Gilbert doesn't get to the 'Mother Country', so this thesis is incorrect.

This is not a thesis as it is not supported by the entire text.

A pupil said, "Here is my thesis about betrayal in 'Small Island': Edmundson uses Act 2 Scene One to explore Gilbert's reality of the 'Mother Country." How would you correct them. 

In Act 1 Scene Six of 'Small Island', Gilbert reveals an idealistic view of London when he describes the Houses of Parliament as a...

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

quotations which should be analysed and support the main argument.

the last sentence of a paragraph that summarises the main ideas.

the first sentence of a paragraph. It states the paragraph’s main idea.

When writing about 'Small Island', you should start your essay with a thesis statement. This is...

Which word beginning with 'm' describes 'treating someone or a group of people as if they are not important.'?

In 'Small Island', what does Gilbert hope to be when he migrates to England?

How does Gilbert perceive Arthur's gaze in Act 1 Scene 3 of 'Small Island'?

Which **two** words complete the description of Gilbert's room in 'Small Island' Act 2 Scene 1? "A __________, __________ realistic world."

Complete this description from 'Small Island', Act 2 Scene 1: “We hear a__________running over the roof of the room”

In 'Small Island', what do the stage directions, "a single bed, a small table and two chairs - one of which has a broken leg and rests on an old book", suggest about Gilbert's living conditions?

To foreground the experiences of marginalised people.

To ensure the audience can hear what is being said.

To adhere to an unrealistic and melodramatic form.

Which answer offers the most sophisticated explanation of Edmundson's use of direct address in 'Small Island'?

Starter Quiz

In 'Small Island', what does Gilbert hope to be when he migrates to England?