Year 10 - English
'An Inspector Calls': exploring Priestley's use of structure
An Inspector Calls: power and responsibility
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Study Guides
This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils start their exploration of the characters, themes and ideas in 'An Inspector Calls'. They first look at the key context behind the play, before exploring each of the main characters and themes. They finally plan and write an essay about the role of responsibility in the play.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to understand and explain how Priestley uses structure for effect in 'An Inspector Calls'.
Key Notes
- The cliffhanger at the end of the play gives the play an ambiguous and unresolved ending.
- Priestley uses cliffhangers to create suspense and tension throughout the play.
- Priestley uses a cyclical structure to impact the audience and provoke reflection.
- The cyclical structure of the play links to the themes of social responsibility, class and societal change.
Vocabulary To Learn
- suspsense: the excitement or nervousness an audience feels while waiting to see what will happen next in the play
- tension: the feeling of unease or stress an audience feels at moments of conflict or uncertainty
- cliffhanger: where a story or text ends suddenly with ,no explanation it often leaves an audience in suspense
- ambiguous: something that is unclear or has more than one possible meaning; open to interpretation
- cyclical: going in circles or returning to the same point over and over again
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- If a play is not resolved or offers a clear conclusion it is not effective and just feels uncomfortable for the audience.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
The cliffhanger at the end of the play gives the play an ambiguous and unresolved ending. Priestley uses cliffhangers to create suspense and tension throughout the play.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'suspsense'
the excitement or nervousness an audience feels while waiting to see what will happen next in the play.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: If a play is not resolved or offers a clear conclusion it is not effective and just feels uncomfortable for the audience. Correction: Arguably, this is what the writer wants you to feel with an ambiguous ending. An unresolved ending may provoke more questions and be used by the writer to make a point.
More Lessons In This Unit
- 'An Inspector Calls' : annotating essay questions and writing a thesis statement Study Guide
- 'An Inspector Calls': exploring class and power in a model essay Study Guide
- 'An Inspector Calls': exploring class and power through Gerald and Eva Study Guide
- 'An Inspector Calls': exploring the character of Eric Study Guide
- 'An Inspector Calls': exploring the character of Mr. Birling Study Guide
- 'An Inspector Calls': exploring the character of Mrs. Birling Study Guide
- 'An Inspector Calls': exploring the character of Sheila Study Guide
- 'An Inspector Calls': exploring the character of the Inspector Study Guide
- 'An Inspector Calls': the importance of setting and stage directions Study Guide
- 'An Inspector Calls': understanding and exploring key themes Study Guide
- 'An Inspector Calls': understanding context and Priestley's influences Study Guide
- Planning and writing an essay on 'An Inspector Calls' Study Guide
- Using context effectively in writing about 'An Inspector Calls' Study Guide
- Writing analytically about Priestley's presentation of the older generation Study Guide
- Writing introductions and conclusions for an 'An Inspector Calls' essay Study Guide
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