Year 10 - English
'An Inspector Calls': understanding context and Priestley's influences
An Inspector Calls: power and responsibility
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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 the importance of context and use tentative language to make assertions about Priestley's intentions.
Key Notes
- Contextual information can help to deepen an understanding of a writer's intentions.
- It is a good idea to be tentative with assertions.
- Biographical information can give us clues about a writer's influences.
- Although writing in 1945, Priestley was influenced by the attitudes and values of Edwardian society.
- Priestley uses the backdrop of 1912 to warn of the dangers of repeating history.
Vocabulary To Learn
- intention: the purpose or aim behind someone's actions or words; what they plan or hope to achieve
- critique: to give an opinion or judgement
- tentative: not certain or fixed
- assertion: a confident statement or claim about something
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Any comments about a writer's intentions or choices must be absolute.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
Contextual information can help to deepen an understanding of a writer's intentions. It is a good idea to be tentative with assertions.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'intention'
the purpose or aim behind someone's actions or words; what they plan or hope to achieve.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Any comments about a writer's intentions or choices must be absolute. Correction: Although we may never know for certain, we can use clues like contextual information to develop ideas around intentions and choices. We can also use tentative language to put forward our ideas.
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 Priestley's use of structure 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
- 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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