Skip to content
Oak National Academy
Oak National Academy
Teachers
Pupils
New
New
Year 11
Edexcel

Developing nuanced analysis of 'An Inspector Calls'

I can write a sophisticated and nuanced analytical paragraph about the Inspector and the theme of justice.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils
New
New
Year 11
Edexcel

Developing nuanced analysis of 'An Inspector Calls'

I can write a sophisticated and nuanced analytical paragraph about the Inspector and the theme of justice.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.

These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

View new resources

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Priestley presents the Inspector as a multifaceted figure of justice, encompassing legal, moral, and divine elements.
  2. Analysis of quotations should be layered considering methods and multiple interpretations.
  3. Complexity in analysis involves acknowledging alternative interpretations and considering multiple meanings.
  4. 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.


To help you plan your year 11 english lesson on: Developing nuanced analysis of 'An Inspector Calls', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Feedback tasks A and B could be completed as peer assesement which would give pupils an opportunity to see a wider range of repsonses.
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

Skip lesson video

Loading...

Starter quiz

Download starter quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following is the definition of a topic sentence?
A sentence that shows the overarching argument of your essay.
Correct answer: A sentence that explains the main focus of your paragraph.
A sentence that summarises and concludes your paragraph.
Q2.
Which of the following sentences does not use tentative language?
Perhaps he hoped his audience might recognise the need for change.
Correct answer: Priestley was considered a socialist.
Arguably, Priestley’s industrial upbringing exposed him to class inequalities.
This may reflect Priestley’s hope for a more just society.
Q3.
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
sum up your overall thesis
include main quotations and supporting quotations
Correct answer: make clear the paragraph is coming to an end
Correct answer: explore the writer's intentions
Q4.
A pupil said, "Only ever include one quotation per analytical paragraph." How would you correct them?
Only include one quotation, but analyse each word in the quotation in depth.
Correct answer: Best practice is to include multiple quotations from across a text.
Include three quotations: choose from the beginning, middle and end of a text.
Using one quotation is fine, as long as it is embedded.
Correct answer: Linking quotations together is a way to build a compelling argument.
Q5.
Is this statement true or false? In 'An Inspector Calls' the Inspector uses the word "hell' in his final speech.
Correct Answer: false, f, False
Q6.
Which of the following best describes the Inspector’s role as a figure of justice in 'An Inspector Calls'?
He represents an authoritative figure who enforces punishment without question.
He is a neutral observer who presents facts without moral judgment.
Correct answer: He serves as a moral voice for social responsibility and collective justice.
He acts as judge, deciding the fate of the Birling family for their wrongdoing.

Exit quiz

Download exit quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
A sophisticated topic sentence will:
analyse a quotation
Correct answer: assert a perspective
Correct answer: offer multiple interpretations
present your overarching argument
Q2.
Match the different types of justice presented in 'An Inspector Calls' to the correct description.
Correct Answer:legal,law and courts, the Inspector as part of the police force

law and courts, the Inspector as part of the police force

Correct Answer:moral,guilt, conscience, responsibility

guilt, conscience, responsibility

Correct Answer:divine,higher judgment, punishment after death

higher judgment, punishment after death

Q3.
A sophisticated analytical paragraph will:
Correct answer: explore why language choices are significant
Correct answer: comment on layers of meaning
make a simple point
Q4.
The word nuance can be described as:
A straightforward, simple idea or concept.
Correct answer: A subtle difference or variation in meaning.
A clear and obvious statement.
A strong, forceful argument or opinion.
Q5.
Is this statement true or false? The Inspector only enforces legal justice.
Correct Answer: false, f, False
Q6.
Which of the following best describes the Inspector’s warning about “blood” in 'An Inspector Calls'?
It symbolises the family’s need to sacrifice something for justice.
It suggests that justice is too harsh and punitive.
It represents the Inspector’s personal desire for revenge
Correct answer: It evokes the imagery of violence and divine retribution.