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Year 11 - English

Using context to inform an argument about 'Jekyll and Hyde'

Jekyll & Hyde: society as the villain

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils explore how the society the characters of 'Jekyll and Hyde' inhabit affects their interpretation of them. They first look at structure and the Gothic, before thinking carefully about how to use context. They then look at hypocrisy and write an essay about it in the novella.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to use context effectively in an analytical paragraph when writing about 'Jekyll and Hyde'.

Key Notes

  • Context must be precise and avoid generalisations.
  • Context needs to be anchored to the text by linking it to quotations.
  • Context needs to be interwoven with analysis and used to develop inferences.
  • Context needs to focus on key themes and concepts and not on isolated historical facts.
  • Context can be used to explain the writer's intention and support the overarching argument of the essay.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • Theme: A repeated idea in a story is known as a theme. Concealment is a theme in 'Jekyll and Hyde'.
  • Concept: An abstract idea is known as a concept.
  • Context: Context concerns the circumstances in which a text was written; context helps us to understand the writer's intentions further.
  • Writer's intention: If an author sets out to deliver a social message or critique, this is known as the writer's intention.
  • Generalisation: If a statement is applied to more things than to which it directly applies, then it is known as a generalisation.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Context is a bolt-on and can just be added onto the end of a paragraph.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

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

Context must be precise and avoid generalisations. Context needs to be anchored to the text by linking it to quotations.

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

A repeated idea in a story is known as a theme. Concealment is a theme in 'Jekyll and Hyde'.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Context is a bolt-on and can just be added onto the end of a paragraph. Correction: Context should be a considered and interwoven part of any essay.

More Lessons In This Unit

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