Planning an essay on the theme of belonging in Winsome Pinnock's ‘Leave Taking’
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can plan an essay about the theme of belonging in ‘Leave Taking’ by creating a thesis, topic sentences and selecting relevant evidence from the play.
Key learning points
- A thesis statement is a clear, overarching argument.
- Topic sentences give focus to individual paragraphs.
- Topic sentences should support the overarching thesis.
- 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.
Dramatic methods - The tools a playwright uses to create drama. Examples are setting, stage directions, dialogue and language choices.
Main quotations - Quotations which support your topic sentence, and that require analysis.
Supporting quotations - Quotations which support your topic sentence, but don’t require analysis.
Common misconception
Every quotation you write about should be analysed in detail.
Main quotations should be analysed, but you should also include supporting quotations that are embedded into sentences without analysis.
Teacher tip
Consider how you want to assess the thesis statements and topic sentences created in learning cycle 1 so that you are confident that all students have a convincing argument.
Equipment
You need access to a copy of Winsome Pinnock's 'Leave Taking'.
Content guidance
Contains strong language
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
5 Questions
Q1.Del moves out of home in Scene Two of 'Leave Taking'. Where does she end up living?
Q2.'Leave Taking' is a play. Pinnock employs dramatic methods to convey her messages. Which of the following are dramatic methods?
Q3.Match the description of the relationship to the pairs of characters from 'Leave Taking'.
full of intergenerational conflict
siblings
developmental, for Del
somewhat close, but mistrustful of each other
life long friends
client and consultant
Q4.In Scene Seven of 'Leave Taking', how does Mai react when she realises Del has the gift of obeah?
Q5.The idea of belonging is very important to 'Leave Taking'. What does this word mean in the context of the play?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What would you say to a pupil who told you, "You should include just one quotation per paragraph when writing an essay on 'Leave Taking'"?
Q2.Imagine an essay question on 'Leave Taking' was, "How does Pinnock use the character of Viv to explore ideas about education?" What does the word 'How' tell you must be included in your essay?
Q3.You will write a number of essays on 'Leave Taking'. Match the essay term to its definition.
Overarching argument to an essay, supported by whole text
First sentence of paragraph; states paragraph’s main idea
The tools a playwright uses to create drama
Quotations which require analysis
Quotations which don’t require analysis
Q4.Essays about 'Leave Taking' will include main body paragraphs. These main body paragraphs will include quotations. What is the purpose of quotations in a main body paragraph?
Q5.Imagine a question on 'Leave Taking' was, "How does Pinnock use the character of Brod to explore ideas of isolation?" What would serve as the strongest topic sentence?
Q6.Imagine a question on 'Leave Taking' was, "How does Pinnock use the character of Enid to explore ideas of shame?" What would serve as the strongest topic sentence?
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Planning an essay on the theme of belonging in Winsome Pinnock's ‘Leave Taking’, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Planning an essay on the theme of belonging in Winsome Pinnock's ‘Leave Taking’, 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 Leave Taking: a sense of belonging unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.