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- Year 11
- Edexcel
Writing an extended response on 'A Christmas Carol'
I can create a written response which meets a success criteria.
- Year 11
- Edexcel
Writing an extended response on 'A Christmas Carol'
I can create a written response which meets a success criteria.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- An excellent introduction could start with a brief summary of the text and its overarching message.
- It should then have a specific statement about the focus of the question, followed by a thesis (overarching argument).
- Topic sentences need to be clear, linked to the question and led by key ideas (not feature-spotting).
- Context can be used to develop arguments.
- An effective conclusion will summarise key points in the response and consider the writer’s intentions.
Keywords
Subtle - less obvious; nuanced; complex or understated
Feature-spotting - leading an analytical paragraph by identifying methods or techniques used by a writer
Tentative language - language which indicates a suggestion or idea (as opposed to a fact)
Discourse markers - language used to signpost different parts of a text (e.g., 'In conclusion, ...')
Redraft - rewriting parts of your work to include missing elements or upgrade the quality of your response
Common misconception
Analytical paragraphs should lead by identifying how a writer uses language, form and/or structure.
The best analytical writing begins by exploring how key ideas or attitudes in a poem link to the question focus, supported by analysis of how the writer uses language, form and/or structure to convey these ideas or attitudes.
To help you plan your year 11 English lesson on: Writing an extended response on 'A Christmas Carol', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 English lesson on: Writing an extended response on 'A Christmas Carol', 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’: a critique of Victorian values unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of 'A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens, as well as a copy of the question and selected extract from Stave 3. You can find this in the additional materials.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match each of the components of a single paragraph outline to the correct definitions.
explains the focus of the paragraph
an analysis of language, form and structure
summarises the paragraph