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Year 11
AQA

'An Inspector Calls': writing an essay on punishment, justice and The Inspector

I can write a nuanced response on how Priestley uses the Inspector to challenge traditional notions of justice and punishment.

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New
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Year 11
AQA

'An Inspector Calls': writing an essay on punishment, justice and The Inspector

I can write a nuanced response on how Priestley uses the Inspector to challenge traditional notions of justice and punishment.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A nuanced response means going beyond surface-level analysis and considering multiple layers of meaning in the text.
  2. When planning a response, your thesis should present a clear argument.
  3. Topic sentences should focus on individual paragraph points.
  4. Supporting details should include relevant text references and analysis of methods.
  5. All comments in an essay should link tightly to your overarching argument.

Keywords

  • Nuanced - has subtle details that make it complex and interesting

  • Complex - involving a lot of different but related parts

  • Evaluative - making an informed judgment based on careful analysis and consideration of the text

  • Critical response - a thorough explanation of your understanding of a text

Common misconception

Rewording or summarising the main points of a question will lead to a developed response.

A nuanced response goes beyond rewording the question. It requires you to engage deeply with the text, offering detailed analysis and considering multiple layers of meaning.


To help you plan your year 11 english lesson on: 'An Inspector Calls': writing an essay on punishment, justice and The Inspector, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

You could ask pupils to write their response as homework or during the next lesson if you would like to spend more time conceptualising and planning the response.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You will need access to a copy of ‘An Inspector Calls’ by J.B. Priestley, Heinemann 2014 edition.

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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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Complete the sentence: when writing an essay you should always aim to link back to the writer's
language choices
publication date
Correct answer: intention
biographical information
use of terminology
Q2.
In an analytical essay, which of the following is the definition of a thesis statement?
explains the focus of the individual paragraph
summarises the individual paragraph
Correct answer: explains the overarching argument
Q3.
In an analytical paragraph, which of the following should a topic sentence do?
include analysis of methods
summarise the paragraph
Correct answer: explain the focus of the paragraph
Q4.
When writing about 'An Inspector Calls', your main body paragraphs will include concluding sentences. What should a good concluding sentence do?
Correct answer: link to your topic sentence
include main quotations and supporting quotations
sum up your overall thesis
Correct answer: make clear the paragraph is coming to an end
Correct answer: reference the writer's intentions
Q5.
Which statements are true of supporting quotations?
They should be analysed in detail with reference to methods.
Correct answer: They can be embedded into sentences.
They don’t need to support your topic sentence.
Correct answer: They don’t need to be analysed for methods.
Q6.
When using context in an essay you should ...
include it in every paragraph.
use isolated historical facts.
make sure it goes at the end of your paragraph.
Correct answer: ensure it's embeded throughout your answer.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which discourse marker is the most appropriate to begin a concluding sentence?
Moreover
On the other hand
Correct answer: Thus
Q2.
Match the single paragraph outline component with the definition.
Correct Answer:thesis statement,overarching argument of the entire essay

overarching argument of the entire essay

Correct Answer:topic sentence,explains the focus of an individual paragraph

explains the focus of an individual paragraph

Correct Answer:supporting details,analysis of methods

analysis of methods

Correct Answer:concluding sentence,summarises the individual paragraph

summarises the individual paragraph

Q3.
Which of the following means 'involving a lot of different but related parts'?
complete
Correct answer: complex
compatible
Q4.
'Has subtle details that make it complex and interesting' is the definition of which word beginning with 'n'?
Correct Answer: nuanced, nuance, Nuanced
Q5.
A pupil said, "Here is my thesis about justice in 'An Inspector Calls': Priestley uses Act 2 to emphasise Mrs Birling's disregard for justice." How would you correct them?
This won't be a thesis until it includes quotations.
Correct answer: This is a topic sentence, not a thesis.
Correct answer: This is not a thesis as it is not supported by the entire text.
Mrs Birling isn't important in the play.
Q6.
When writing an essay on 'An Inspector Calls', your quotations should ...
Correct answer: come from across the play.
come from one character monologue.
come from just the dialogue.
come from just the stage directions.
come from just one act.