Year 11 - English
Using quotations and context effectively in an 'An Inspector Calls' essay
'An Inspector Calls': societal expectations of gender and class
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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 learn about how Priestly questions societal expectations of gender and class in 'An Inspector Calls'. They look at three female characters, Sheila, Mrs Birling and Eva, and also explore how masculinity is presented. They finally plan and write an essay on the topic.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to use quotations judiciously and effectively embed context into an 'An Inspector Calls' essay.
Key Notes
- A successful essay will have a clear overarching argument.
- References to the text should link to your topic sentence, and come from across the play.
- Select main quotations and supporting quotations to support your overarching argument.
- Main quotations should be analysed; supporting quotations don't need to be analysed.
- Context should be embedded, relevant and can include a range of different types.
Vocabulary To Learn
- topic sentence: the first sentence of a paragraph, which states the paragraph's main idea
- thesis: the overarching argument to an essay, supported by the entire text
- context: the circumstances, background, or setting in which a story or text is written or read
- embed: to incorporate evidence, like quotes or context, into your sentences without disrupting the flow of writing
- judiciously: selecting and using quotes carefully and wisely to effectively support your analysis or argument
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- All quotations in an essay require analysis.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
A successful essay will have a clear overarching argument. References to the text should link to your topic sentence, and come from across the play.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'topic sentence'
the first sentence of a paragraph, which states the paragraph's main idea.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: All quotations in an essay require analysis. Correction: Some quotations are useful for supporting your argument but do not require detailed analysis. These should be embedded directly into pupils' sentences.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Contextualising gender expectations in 'An Inspector Calls' Study Guide
- Eva Smith in 'An Inspector Calls': representation and symbolism Study Guide
- Exploring interpretations of masculinity in 'An Inspector Calls' Study Guide
- Planning an essay on societal expectations in 'An Inspector Calls' Study Guide
- Sheila and changing attitudes toward gender and class in 'An Inspector Calls' Study Guide
- Understanding gender and class through Mrs Birling in 'An Inspector Calls' Study Guide
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