'A Christmas Carol': writing an extended argument
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can write a sophisticated and convincing extended response and then evaluate and improve it.
Key learning points
- If given an extract in your question, at least one of your ideas needs to come from the extract.
- When responding to a text, you should consider a range of evidence from across the whole text.
- Your argument can build in complexity from foundational knowledge to a personal interpretation.
- Discourse markers are useful in structuring your response and showing links between ideas.
- Your analysis of the text should be rich, with context integrated to support.
Keywords
To evaluate - When evaluating a response, you weigh up its success and make a judgement about it.
To catalyse - If something catalyses something else, it starts or triggers it.
Plight - A plight is an unpleasant condition.
To evolve - Evolving means developing or changing gradually (usually for the better).
Common misconception
Students do not understand that an argument should build in complexity.
Students should consider the structure of their argument. Which ideas need to come first in order to foreground other ideas?
Teacher tip
Print the model response from learning cycle 2 for students. Model how to pick bits out of it and then set them off on task B.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol' for this lesson.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.How many spirits visit Scrooge over the course of the novella 'A Christmas Carol'?
Q2.Which of the following is not a fear of Scrooge's in 'A Christmas Carol'?
Q3.Complete the quotation from Stave 5 of 'A Christmas Carol': "I will Christmas in my heart..."
Q4.Complete the sentence: In 'A Christmas Carol', Scrooge embodies ideology. Dickens uses Scrooge to criticise this ideology and its devastating impact upon society.
Q5.What does 'to evaluate' mean?
Q6.Starting with the first, put the following events from 'A Christmas Carol' in chronological order.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following statements is not true about Scrooge's fears in 'A Christmas Carol'?
Q2.Starting with the bottom layer, put the layers of an analytical piece of writing in order.
Q3.Which of the following can be best used to help you structure your argument and to show links between ideas?
Q4.Choose one word from the options below to complete the sentence: As the 'A Christmas Carol' progresses, Scrooge's fears __________ to reflect his character development.
Q5.Which of the following is the most precise word to describe Scrooge's behaviour in Stave 1 of 'A Christmas Carol'?
Q6.Which of the following explanations best illustrates what Dickens is trying to show us about fear in 'A Christmas Carol'?
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: 'A Christmas Carol': writing an extended argument, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: 'A Christmas Carol': writing an extended argument, 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 A Christmas Carol: Scrooge's redemption unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.