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      Planning a written analysis of 'Frankenstein'

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can use single paragraph outlines to plan an excellent response analysing Dr. Frankenstein.

      Key learning points

      1. Victor is presented as a highly irresponsible character, whose negligence has disastrous consequences.
      2. If given an extract, annotate it with ideas in response to the question.
      3. Single paragraph outlines are useful for organising your ideas into a coherent structure.
      4. Single paragraph outlines contain a topic sentence, supporting detail and a concluding sentence.
      5. A single paragraph outline should be planned for each section of your response.

      Keywords

      • Irresponsible - not behaving in a sensible or responsible manner

      • Negligent - failing to take proper care of something you have responsibility for or being careless in your approach to something

      • To transgress - to violate a rule, law or boundary

      • To shun - to reject or refuse to accept someone

      • Grave - If consequences are grave, they are extremely serious and concerning.

      Common misconception

      Students might think that they only need to plan one single paragraph outline.

      Students will need to plan one paragraph outline per section of their response.

      Teacher tip

      If students require further scaffolding, you can give them the rough plan from slide 16 and get them to find the evidence and fill in the supporting detail. This will still test their ability to use single paragraph outlines.

      Equipment

      You will need access to the extract taken from 'Frankenstein' analysed in the lesson which can be found in the additional materials.

      Content guidance

      Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

      Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

      Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

      Supervision

      Adult supervision recommended

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What does the word 'regret' mean?

      Correct answer: to wish you had done things differently
      to hate another person or thing
      to apologise for something you have done
      to not live life to its fullest

      Q2.
      Which of these events from 'Frankenstein' comes first in the novel?

      The Creature murders Elizabeth
      Victor agrees to create a mate for his Creature
      Correct answer: The murder of Victor's brother
      Justine's execution

      Q3.
      Which of the following is a Gothic convention?

      only one central character
      a strong, independent female character
      Correct answer: an isolated and egotistical protagonist
      a relatable and likeable best friend character
      at least two supernatural characters

      Q4.
      What does the Creature in 'Frankenstein' blame his violence and misery on?

      the fact that Victor is his creator
      Correct answer: the fact that he was shunned by his creator
      Correct answer: the fact that he has no friends or family
      the fact that he does not like being part of society
      the fact that he was not educated

      Q5.
      What does Victor warn Robert Walton about in 'Frankenstein'?

      creating a Creature like the one he created
      protecting family and friends from harm
      Correct answer: pursuing knowledge relentlessly and unethically
      travelling to icy parts of the world
      isolating oneself from society

      Q6.
      What was Mary Shelley criticising about society through the novel 'Frankestein'?

      the class system and the inequality it created (especially the lower classes)
      Correct answer: the way people treated one another - their lack of kindness and empathy
      the lack of social and political progress in society
      Correct answer: the constantly-advancing nature of science (often without ethical consideration)
      the oppression that women faced in society

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Which of the following words are synonyms for 'irresponsible'?

      moral
      Correct answer: reckless
      abhorrent
      committed
      Correct answer: negligent

      Q2.
      Fill in the missing word: Single outlines are useful for planning a coherent response.

      Correct Answer: paragraph, paragraph., Paragraph., Paragraph

      Q3.
      Which part of the single paragraph outline should introduce the main idea in your paragraph and state what you intend to prove?

      Correct answer: topic sentence
      thesis statement
      summary statement
      supporting detail

      Q4.
      What is your supporting detail in a single paragraph outline?

      an introduction to the key ideas in your essay
      a summary of what you intend to prove
      Correct answer: information and ideas you will include to support your argument
      a detailed summary of what happens in the text
      some context about the writer and the period of time they were writing in

      Q5.
      Match the missing word in the quotations from 'Frankenstein' to the rest of the quotation.

      Correct Answer:insect,"Begone, vile ............."

      "Begone, vile ............."

      Correct Answer:expected,"I ....... this reception"

      "I ....... this reception"

      Correct Answer:creator,"You, my ....., detest and spurn me."

      "You, my ....., detest and spurn me."

      Correct Answer:duty,"Do your ...... towards me"

      "Do your ...... towards me"

      Correct Answer:negligently,"I may extinguish the spark that I so ...... bestowed."

      "I may extinguish the spark that I so ...... bestowed."

      Correct Answer:virtuous,"Make me happy, and I shall again be ....."

      "Make me happy, and I shall again be ....."

      Q6.
      What was careless about Victor's decision to make the Creature "superhuman" in speed and stature in 'Frankenstein'?

      he made it more hideous so it would be rejected by society
      Correct answer: it can easily overpower a human being
      he didn't consider how difficult it would be for the Creature to move around
      Correct answer: it means he has no control over his creation
      it means he cannot catch up with the Creature

      To help you plan your 8 English lesson on: Planning a written analysis of 'Frankenstein', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...