The overarching argument to an essay, supported by the entire text.

The first sentence of a paragraph. It states the paragraph’s main idea.

The final sentence of a paragraph. It comes to a conclusion about the paragraph’s main idea, focusing on writer’s intentions.

Quotations which support your topic sentence, and that require analysis.

Quotations which support your topic sentence, but don’t require analysis.

Planning an essay about the character of Brod in ‘Leave Taking’

English

In 'Leave Taking: A Sense of Belonging', pupils explore the themes of immigration and identity in the play. In 'Leave Taking: The Power of Education', pupils explore how a lack of representation in literature and other educational materials negatively impacts on sense of self.

in 'Small Island', pupils explore the themes of identity, race, colonisation - shedding light on the experiences of Jamaican immigrants in post-war Britain. In 'Leave Taking: A Sense of Belonging', pupils explore the experiences of second generation immigrants and the difficulties they face in 1980's Britain. 

Modern text: first study

Discriminatory behaviour or images, whether on the grounds of race, gender, disability, religion or belief or sexual orientation, or otherwise.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of mental health issues

a quotation which supports your topic sentence and requires analysis

a term for a quotation you should embed in a sentence, but not analyse

a quotation which you will use in every paragraph because it is your main one

a quotation that the main character in a play says

When writing main body paragraphs in an essay on 'Leave Taking', you should include main quotations. What is the meaning of the term main quotation?

a quotation which supports multiple arguments and topic sentences

a quotation you use in your thesis that supports your argument

a quotation that a supporting character in a play says

a quotation you should embed in a sentence, but not analyse

When writing main body paragraphs in an essay on 'Leave Taking', you should include supporting quotations. What is the meaning of the term supporting quotation?

a thesis starts every paragraph; topic sentences don't

a thesis starts your essay; topic sentences start each paragraph

a thesis requires main quotations which you analyse; a topic sentence doesn't

a thesis is your overarching argument; a topic sentence presents one idea

a thesis offers both sides of an argument; a topic sentence presents one idea

When you write essays about 'Leave Taking', you will include a thesis and topic sentences. What are some of the differences between the two?

make it clear the paragraph has reached its conclusion

link to, but not repeat, your topic sentence

When you write essays about 'Leave Taking', you will include concluding sentences at the end of each paragraph. What should a concluding sentence do?

it focusses on a specific scene of a play

it is the overarching argument of the entire essay

it lists each of your topic sentences in order

it starts each of your main body paragraphs

Each essay you write on 'Leave Taking' will include a thesis statement. What is true of a thesis statement?

overarching argument to an essay, supported by whole text

comes to a conclusion about the paragraph's main idea

There are some key essay terms which are useful to know and understand before you write any essay on 'Leave Taking'. Match the key terms to their definitions.

he is the only male character in the play

he migrated to England when he was younger

he visits Mai to ask for an obeah reading

Brod is one of the five characters in 'Leave Taking'. What is true of his character?

In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', Brod tells Enid off for not sharing her Jamaican roots with her children. He says, "They going {{ }} where they come from."

In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', Brod tells Enid off for calling her children "English girls" and ignoring their "Caribbean souls". He says, "You {{ }} these children up, Enid."

he is engaging with his memories of a religious service in Jamaica

In Scene Three of 'Leave Taking', Brod imitates talking in tongues. Why does he do this?

In Scene Seven of 'Leave Taking', Brod tells Del that her father faced daily racial discrimination at work. He says her father's colleagues didn't treat him like he was a "{{ }}".

negatively - this is why he has begun drinking

negatively - now he can no longer visit his family in Jamaica

negatively - it has made him decide to move back to Jamaica

negatively - his sense of his own Britishness has been destabilised

negatively - he is angry at the Home Office

In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', Enid and Brod discuss having to pay to become a citizen of Britain in a process called naturalisation. How has this process affected Brod?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of mental health issues

Adult supervision required

Starter Quiz