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Year 9 - English

Exploring and evaluating the importance of Act 1

'Small Island'

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils explore the playtext adaptation of Andrea Levy's novel 'Small Island'. They first explore the transition from novel to stage, before reading the playtext in full and exploring key scenes in detail. They then plan and write an essay on the theme of 'hope' in the text.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain the structure of Act 1 and offer a personal perspective on key themes.

Key Notes

  • Act 1 is considered a very important part of a play's structure- it is sometimes referred to as the 'set-up'.
  • 'Small Island' is comprised of an ensemble cast and multiple narratives.
  • Queenie's pregnancy and the sailing of the Empire Windrush at the end of Act 1, create a dramatic transition into Act 2.
  • The themes of ambition, betrayal, hope and belonging are prevalent in Act 1 and connect many of the characters.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • Motivation: the willingness to do something or a reason to act or behave in a specific way
  • theme: an idea that is explored in a text in different ways, to fully explore the complexity of that idea
  • ensemble cast: a cast that comprises of many different main actors- there is not a single protagonist
  • inciting: means to stir up or encourage an action, usually in a forceful, urgent way
  • exposition: the establishing of key information, characters and setting in a text

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • That you should not use your own opinions or perspectives when exploring a text.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

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

Act 1 is considered a very important part of a play's structure- it is sometimes referred to as the 'set-up'. 'Small Island' is comprised of an ensemble cast and multiple narratives.

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

the willingness to do something or a reason to act or behave in a specific way.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: That you should not use your own opinions or perspectives when exploring a text. Correction: Being able to articulate your own opinions and perspectives is an important skill to have. They should be rooted in evidence from the text and should avoid speculation.

More Lessons In This Unit

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