Context is the circumstances in which a text was produced.

The impact of something is its influence on something else.

If you integrate two things, you combine them together.

Being analytical means examining the text in detail to learn more about it.

'A Christmas Carol': writing about Stave 2

English

In 'A Christmas Carol: Scrooge's redemption, pupils trace the way Scrooge changes across the text as a result of his interaction with the ghosts. In 'A Christmas Carol: a ghost story', pupils  examine the use of gothic tropes in more detail and in particular the use of the supernatural and the ghosts, which allow the past to interrupt the present and even future. 

In 'Victorian Childhood', pupils read a number of non fiction extracts about the suffering of poor children and campaign for better laws to protect them as part of a persuasive speaking role play. In 'A Christmas Carol', pupils learn about Dickens as a social campaigner and the way in which he wrote the novella to encourage people to help the poor. 

Nineteenth century 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

Historic or outdated representations of people that may portray inequality or injustice.

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

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Which of the following can be considered 'context'?

Any context can be used to support your argument.

Context should be integrated into your argument.

Context should be relevant to your argument

Context should be extremely detailed and specific.

Context should always be added to the end of your paragraph.

Which of the following statements about context are true? 

Which of the following can be used as a synonym for 'impact' in the following sentence: 'Scrooge realises the impact of his actions on others'.

A conclusion should {{ }}  your overarching argument, expressing a clear thought on the writer’s message.

Maintain a razor sharp focus on the writer’s central message.

Comment on form and/or structure, as well as language.

Give your own interpretation of the text and your argument centres round this.

Which of the following can you do to demonstrate a deeper understanding of the text?

I think that 'A Christmas Carol' is a text about greed and poverty.

Charles Dickens wrote 'A Christmas Carol' in 1843.

I really enjoyed reading Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol' because of the characters.

Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol' serves as an allegory for the middle-upper classes.

In 'A Christmas Carol', Dickens presents Marley's Ghost as remorseful character.

Which of these would make the strongest start to an analytical essay about Scrooge in 'A Christmas Carol'?

The circumstances in which a text is produced.

The details about who published the text.

The details about who has read the text over time.

What do we mean when we talk about the context of a novel?

The word 'solitary' shows how isolated Scrooge is.

I believe that Scrooge represents the Victorian middle-upper classes.

Scrooge epitomises a Victorian misanthropist.

Conditions in Victorian workhouses were harsh - as harsh as those in prisons.

Which of the following is an example of context?

Dickens' father was sent to prison for debt.

Dickens campaigned for greater rights for the poor throughout his life.

Dickens had to get a job at 12 years old to support his family.

Which of the following statements about Charles Dickens are true?

The ghost's "long arms" represent the past.

Marley's ghost has chains around him, including: "cashboxes and padlocks".

Marley's ghost asks Scrooge to "ask me who I was."

When the ghost tells Scrooge: "you don't believe in me"...

Which of these are examples of embedded quotations?

The {{ }} sentence summarises the argument in each paragraph with a sharp focus on writer’s purpose.

 To deliver a message about holiday cheer.

What is the primary purpose of Jacob Marley's ghost in 'A Christmas Carol'? 

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Adult supervision recommended

Starter Quiz