Using quotations and context effectively in an 'An Inspector Calls' essay
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use quotations judiciously and effectively embed context into an ‘An Inspector Calls’ essay.
Key learning points
- A successful essay will have a clear overarching argument.
- References to the text should link to your topic sentence, and come from across the play.
- Select main quotations and supporting quotations to support your overarching argument.
- Main quotations should be analysed; supporting quotations don’t need to be analysed.
- Context should be embedded, relevant and can include a range of different types.
Keywords
Topic sentence - the first sentence of a paragraph, which states the paragraph’s main idea
Thesis - the overarching argument to an essay, supported by the entire text
Context - the circumstances, background, or setting in which a story or text is written or read
Embed - to incorporate evidence, like quotes or context, into your sentences without disrupting the flow of writing
Judiciously - selecting and using quotes carefully and wisely to effectively support your analysis or argument
Common misconception
All quotations in an essay require analysis.
Some quotations are useful for supporting your argument but do not require detailed analysis. These should be embedded directly into pupils' sentences
Teacher tip
If pupils have completed their own essay writing, you may wish them to compare their own essays to the success criteria created in Learning Cycle 1.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of ‘An Inspector Calls’ by J.B. Priestley, Heinemann 2014 edition.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the essay terms to their definitions.
overarching argument supported by whole text
first sentence of a paragraph, stating its main idea
the tools a playwright uses to create drama e.g. dialogue
the final sentence of a paragraph, focusing on the writer's intention
Q2.J.B. Priestley is a playwright. When analysing his play 'An Inspector Calls', you will explore his dramatic methods. Which of the following are not dramatic methods?
Q3.When writing an essay on 'An Inspector Calls', you will include topic sentences. What is true of topic sentences?
Q4.Before writing an essay on 'An Inspector Calls', you should create a plan. What is part of the planning process?
Q5.When writing an essay on 'An Inspector Calls', your quotations should ...
Q6.Which statements about main quotations are false?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which definition best describes the word judiciously?
Q2.Which elements below contribute to a successful essay?
Q3.Match the different elements of an essay to their definition.
states the paragraph’s main idea and links to overarching argument
support your topic sentence and require analysis
support your topic sentence but don’t need analysis
the final sentence of a paragraph which links to your topic sentence
Q4.Which statements are true of supporting quotations?
Q5.Complete the sentence: when writing an essay you should always aim to link back to the writer's
Q6.When using context in an essay you should ...
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Using quotations and context effectively in an 'An Inspector Calls' essay, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Using quotations and context effectively in an 'An Inspector Calls' essay, 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 4 English lessons from the ‘An Inspector Calls’: societal expectations of gender and class unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.