'Small Island': creating topic sentences and using quotes in essays
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can create effective topic sentences and select main and supporting quotes.
Key learning points
- A thesis statement is a clear, overarching argument.
- Topic sentences give focus to individual paragraphs.
- Select main quotations and supporting quotations to include in an essay.
- Main quotations should be analysed; supporting quotations don’t need to be analysed.
Keywords
Thesis - the overarching argument to an essay, supported by the entire text
Topic sentence - the first sentence of a paragraph- it states the paragraph’s main idea
Main quotations - these are quotations which support your topic sentence, and that require analysis
Supporting quotations - these are quotations which support your topic sentence, but don’t require analysis
Marginalise - to treat someone or a group of people as if they are not important; to place them outside of society
Common misconception
Planning is not necessary to write an effective response.
Not only is planning an efficient way to consider different questions and arguments, it also leads to more cohesive, well sequenced responses.
Teacher tip
This lesson could be adapted to focus on different essay questions depending on the specific focus of the text and the needs of the class.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the play 'Small Island' written by Andrea Levy and adapted for the stage by Helen Edmundson
Content guidance
Contains strong language
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In 'Small Island', what does Gilbert hope to be when he migrates to England?
Q2.How does Gilbert perceive Arthur's gaze in Act 1 Scene 3 of 'Small Island'?
Q3.Which two words complete the description of Gilbert's room in 'Small Island' Act 2 Scene 1? "A __________, __________ realistic world."
Q4.Complete this description from 'Small Island', Act 2 Scene 1: “We hear a__________running over the roof of the room”
Q5.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?
Q6.Which answer offers the most sophisticated explanation of Edmundson's use of direct address in 'Small Island'?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.When planning for an essay on 'Small Island', what is the first step of the planning process?
Q2.What would be the key words in this essay question: how does Edmundson use the character of Hortense to explore the theme of hope?
Q3.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.
Q4.In Act 1 Scene Six of 'Small Island', Gilbert reveals an idealistic view of London when he describes the Houses of Parliament as a...
Q5.When writing about 'Small Island', you should start your essay with a thesis statement. This is...
Q6.Which word beginning with 'm' describes 'treating someone or a group of people as if they are not important.'?
To help you plan your 9 English lesson on: 'Small Island': creating topic sentences and using quotes in essays, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 English lesson on: 'Small Island': creating topic sentences and using quotes in essays, 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 'Small Island' unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.