'A Midsummer Night's Dream': reviewing and refining an essay about Puck
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can evaluate model paragraphs about Puck and the supernatural in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, and use this evaluation to improve my own analytical writing.
Key learning points
- Topic sentences should link to the question.
- Include multiple quotations in each paragraph from across the play.
- Consider writer’s methods when analysing quotations.
- Include relevant context to develop your analysis.
Keywords
Topic sentence - the first sentence of a paragraph stating its main idea
Methods - the tools a writer uses to create their work; for example, characterisation, setting, language choices
Context - information about the time period of when a text was written; context can help us understand a text more deeply
Analysis - in English, this means looking at a text closely and considering what it might mean and why it was written in that way
Shakespearean comedy - a play designed to make you laugh, often including misunderstandings and ending in marriage
Common misconception
You must analyse every quotation at word level.
Sometimes exploring individual words can be helpful, but more often than not it makes for shallow analysis which is not helpful in answering the question. Look at 'bigger' methods than single words.
Teacher tip
Consider if the weaker models target particular misconceptions you want to address with your pupils. You could consider re-writing them. If you have examples of excellent pupil work from your class, you could use these as examples in place of the stronger models in the lesson.
Equipment
You need access to a copy of William Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. However, the relevant extracts for this lesson can also be found in the additional materials.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Shakespeare wrote different types of plays, and 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' is a .
Q2.How does 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' end?
Q3.'A Midsummer Night's Dream' is a Shakespearean comedy. What are common features of the endings of most Shakespearean comedies?
Q4.'A Midsummer Night's Dream' was first performed in front of an Elizabethan audience. What were some common Elizabethan views and attitudes about the supernatural?
Q5.'A Midsummer Night's Dream' was first performed in front of an Elizabethan audience. What were some common Elizabethan views and attitudes about hierarchy?
Q6.'A Midsummer Night's Dream' includes the supernatural. How do we know Shakespeare was very interested in the supernatural?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', the character of Oberon's servant has two names: Puck and .
Q2.When writing an essay about 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', it is helpful to know some key terms. Match the key terms to their definitions.
the first sentence of a paragraph stating its main idea
the tools a writer uses to create their work e.g. language choices
key information about when a text was written
looking at a text closely and considering what it might mean
Q3.What advice would you give a pupil who was trying to master their use of topic sentences for an essay on 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'?
Q4.What advice would you give a pupil who was trying to master their use of quotations in an essay on 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'?
Q5.When exploring a quotation from 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', you might identify a method Shakespeare uses. Which of the following count as dramatic methods?
Q6.What advice would you give a pupil who was trying to master their analysis in an essay on 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'?
To help you plan your 8 English lesson on: 'A Midsummer Night's Dream': reviewing and refining an essay about Puck, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 English lesson on: 'A Midsummer Night's Dream': reviewing and refining an essay about Puck, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 English lessons from the 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.