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Year 10 - English

Model responses for a 'Leave Taking' essay about identity and belonging

Leave Taking: a sense of belonging

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils start their exploration of Winsome Pinnock's play, 'Leave Taking'. They first learn about the play's context of 1980s Britain and the Windrush generation before then reading and exploring the full play. They finally explore themes and characters before working on essay writing.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to use model responses about identity and belonging in Winsome Pinnock's 'Leave Taking' to refine your own writing about the play.

Key Notes

  • Topic sentences state a paragraph's main idea.
  • Select main quotations and supporting quotations to include in an essay.
  • Main quotations should be analysed; supporting quotations don't need to be analysed.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • thesis: The overarching argument to an essay, supported by the entire text.
  • topic sentence: The first sentence of a paragraph. It states the paragraph's main idea.
  • dramatic methods: The tools a playwright uses to create drama. Examples are setting, stage directions, dialogue and language choices.
  • main quotations: Quotations which support your topic sentence, and that require analysis.
  • supporting quotations: Quotations which support your topic sentence, but don't require analysis.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • You don't need to plan topic sentences in full.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.

Topic sentences state a paragraph's main idea. Select main quotations and supporting quotations to include in an essay.

2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'thesis'

The overarching argument to an essay, supported by the entire text.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: You don't need to plan topic sentences in full. Correction: Write topic sentences in full when planning. They give the essay structure and make sure you develop and support your thesis.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 10 English guide library.