Developing nuanced analysis of 'An Inspector Calls'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can write a sophisticated and nuanced analytical paragraph about the Inspector and the theme of justice.
Key learning points
- Priestley presents the Inspector as a multifaceted figure of justice, encompassing legal, moral, and divine elements.
- Analysis of quotations should be layered considering methods and multiple interpretations.
- Complexity in analysis involves acknowledging alternative interpretations and considering multiple meanings.
- A strong topic sentence presents your perspective while introducing different viewpoints or interpretations.
Keywords
Nuance - subtle differences and complexities in ideas or arguments that add depth and sophistication to analysis
Interpretation - the way something is understood or explained
Morality - principles concerning right and wrong behavior
Persepctive - a particular attitude or viewpoint towards something
Assert - to state or declare something confidently and forcefully
Common misconception
Labeling literary features like "metaphor" or "imagery" is enough to demonstrate analysis.
Feature spotting is not analysis. You need to explain how the writer's choices create different meanings and link to the writer's intention and wider themes.
Teacher tip
Feedback tasks A and B could be completed as peer assesement which would give pupils an opportunity to see a wider range of repsonses.
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.Which of the following is the definition of a topic sentence?
Q2.Which of the following sentences does not use tentative language?
Q3.When writing about 'An Inspector Calls', your main body paragraphs will include concluding sentences. What should a good concluding sentence do?
Q4.A pupil said, "Only ever include one quotation per analytical paragraph." How would you correct them?
Q5.Is this statement true or false? In 'An Inspector Calls' the Inspector uses the word "hell' in his final speech.
Q6.Which of the following best describes the Inspector’s role as a figure of justice in 'An Inspector Calls'?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.A sophisticated topic sentence will:
Q2.Match the different types of justice presented in 'An Inspector Calls' to the correct description.
law and courts, the Inspector as part of the police force
guilt, conscience, responsibility
higher judgment, punishment after death
Q3.A sophisticated analytical paragraph will:
Q4.The word nuance can be described as:
Q5.Is this statement true or false? The Inspector only enforces legal justice.
Q6.Which of the following best describes the Inspector’s warning about “blood” in 'An Inspector Calls'?
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Developing nuanced analysis of 'An Inspector Calls', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Developing nuanced analysis of 'An Inspector Calls', 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: perspectives on crime, justice and the role of the Inspector unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.