Using context effectively in ‘An Inspector Calls’ essays
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use context effectively to elevate my responses on ‘An Inspector Calls’.
Key learning points
- Context refers to historical, social, literary and biographical information.
- Literary context is often overlooked, but can be an effective way to elevate responses.
- Context should be woven throughout your essay.
- Weaving context into your thesis can be a powerful way to start an essay.
Keywords
Literary - anything related to literature, including writing, analysis, and appreciation of written works
Thesis - a clear, focused statement in an essay that presents the main argument
Intergenerational conflict - tension between younger and older people, often in a family, for example a parent and child
Weave - when you embed context into paragraphs rather than including it as a series of isolated facts
Common misconception
Context can't be used in a thesis statement. It must be saved for main body paragraphs.
Including context in a thesis statement is a powerful way to start an essay. It shows you understand the writer's intentions with their work.
Teacher tip
You may wish to complete Task A as a group activity, allowing pupils to share ideas and gather a wider range of perspectives.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of ‘An Inspector Calls’ by J.B. Priestley, Heinemann 2014 edition.
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following best describes expressionism in theatre?
Q2.What is the key aim of Brechtian theatre?
Q3.What was the dominant political ideology behind socialist realism?
Q4.When writing an essay on 'An Inspector Calls', you should include context. We can think of context in four different ways. Match the type of context to its meaning.
the text's genre, style and publication history
the dominant attitudes and values when the text was written
what was happening when the text was written
information about the writer
Q5.Which elements of 'An Inspector Calls' can be considered naturalistic?
Q6.Is this statement true or false? Propaganda can be described as: information, often biased, used to promote or influence public opinion.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the different types of context to the correct description.
What was happening when the text was written?
What were the shared ideas/values of the time?
What influenced the text’s style or genre?
How might the life experiences of the author have influenced the text?
Q2.A pupil asks: "At what moments in my essay can I weave in context?" How could you reply?
Q3.Which word or phrase best completes this sentence: 'In an 'An Inspector Calls' essay, you should weave context __________ your essay.'
Q4.Which different types of context can we think about including in a 'An Inspector Calls' essay?
Q5.A pupil defines what it means to weave context into a 'An Inspector Calls' essay. Which is the correct definition?
Q6.Which of these is an example of using literary context effectively for an 'An Inspector Calls' essay?
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Using context effectively in ‘An Inspector Calls’ essays, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Using context effectively in ‘An Inspector Calls’ essays, 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’: Priestley’s theatrical strategy; politics, genre, and form unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.