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      'A Christmas Carol': writing about Stave 1

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      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can write a well-structured essay response on the presentation of Scrooge in Stave 1.

      Key learning points

      1. Introductions are made up of three parts, moving from the general to the specific
      2. The introduction can contain the name of the text, the writer's name and the sections of text you will focus on
      3. The thesis statement summarises the overarching argument from your introduction
      4. The thesis statement can contain your argument about the text and how this influences our understanding of society
      5. Embedded quotations, discourse markers and well-chosen and specific vocabulary can all be used to strengthen a response

      Keywords

      • Analytical - Taking an analytical approach means examining something carefully to reach a conclusion.

      • Thesis - The thesis is the main idea, argument or theory of a piece of writing.

      • Affluent - If someone is affluent, they have a lot of money.

      • Quintessential - If something is quintessential, it represents the most perfect or typical example of something.

      • To embed - When you put a quotation inside your own sentence you have embedded it.

      Common misconception

      Students do not embed their quotations.

      If students don't embed their quotations, the response is not as concise as it could be. Being concise makes your response sophisticated.

      Teacher tip

      You could complete the feedback for task B in peer review and get the students to give each other targets for next time based on the success criteria.

      Equipment

      You will need access to a copy of Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol' for this lesson.

      Content guidance

      Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

      Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

      Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

      Supervision

      Adult supervision recommended

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), 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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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      Download starter quiz questions (PDF)

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What warning does Marley's Ghost give to Scrooge in stave one of 'A Christmas Carol'?

      Correct answer: He warns Scrooge that he will be visited by three spirits.
      He tells Scrooge to be more miserly and save his money.
      He advises Scrooge to continue living a selfish life.
      He encourages Scrooge to spend more time with his family.
      Correct answer: He warns Scrooge that his fate will be bleak if he doesn't change.

      Q2.
      How does Scrooge react to being asked for charity in stave one of 'A Christmas Carol'?

      He is eager to donate generously.
      He is indifferent and says he will think about it.
      He is afraid of being ridiculed if he donates.
      He gives a generous amount to the charity men.
      Correct answer: He refuses to give money to charity.

      Q3.
      What is Scrooge's attitude towards Christmas and the festive season in stave one of 'A Christmas Carol'?

      He loves Christmas and looks forward to celebrating it.
      He is terrified of Christmas.
      Correct answer: He despises Christmas and refuses to celebrate it.
      He believes Christmas is a time for giving and sharing.
      He is indifferent to Christmas and isn't bothered about celebrating it.

      Q4.
      In which year was 'A Christmas Carol' published?

      Correct Answer: 1843, 1843.

      Q5.
      What societal issues is Charles Dickens addressing through Scrooge's character and actions in Stave one of 'A Christmas Carol'?

      The benefits of industrialisation.
      The lack of technological progress in Victorian England.
      Correct answer: The plight of the poor and the need for social reform.
      The importance of conformity in society.
      The superiority of the upper class over the middle class.

      Q6.
      Here is the word 'quintessential' used in a sentence: 'Scrooge, from 'A Christmas Carol', is a quintessential Victorian employer.' What might 'quintessential' mean?

      extremely unusual or rare example of something
      the most common or ordinary example of something
      Correct answer: representing the most perfect and typical example of something
      something that is lacking in essential qualities
      describing something that is flawed and imperfect

      Assessment exit quiz

      Download exit quiz questions (PDF)

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Which of these elements would you not expect to see in an analytical introduction?

      reference to the author and text
      a clear and interesting thesis
      Correct answer: a list of the key characters
      contextualisation of the act/scene/chapter
      reference to the question being asked

      Q2.
      In regards to 'A Christmas Carol', which of these are the most precise and specific words to describe Marley's Ghost?

      upset
      sad
      Correct answer: remorseful
      Correct answer: tortured
      indifferent

      Q3.
      The statement summarises the overarching argument from your introduction.

      Correct Answer: thesis, Thesis., thesis., Thesis

      Q4.
      Which of the following make an analytical response successful?

      as many methods named as possible
      Correct answer: discourse markers
      a cyclical structure
      every interpretation of a quote possible
      Correct answer: clear topic sentences

      Q5.
      Which of the following are examples of embedded quotations?

      Correct answer: Dickens describes Scrooge's "red eyes" and "frosty rime".
      Dickens states: "oh! but he was a tight-fisted hand at the grindstone."
      This can be seen when Scrooge says "Bah! Humbug!"
      Correct answer: Scrooge's "shrivelled" appearance illustrates his greed.
      Correct answer: The "ponderous chain" that Scrooge is "forg[ing]" shows his avaricious nature.

      Q6.
      Which of the following sentences uses the word 'affluent' or a variation of the word 'affluent' correctly?

      Correct answer: Scrooge has strived for affluence his whole life because of his fear of poverty.
      Marley's Ghost feels great affluence in stave one.
      Bob Cratchit is an affluential character because of his poverty.
      Dickens had a great affluence on his middle-class readers.
      Correct answer: The affluent middle-upper classes were ignorant to the plight of the poor.

      To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: 'A Christmas Carol': writing about Stave 1, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...