Feedback is information given to someone to help them improve something.

Redrafting something means rewriting it to improve it.

Engaging in introspection means examining your own thoughts and feelings.

If an argument is compelling, it is convincing and persuasive.

A discourse marker is a word or phrase that helps us to organise our speech or writing into sections. An example would be ‘so’ or ‘also’.

'A Christmas Carol': improving analytical writing

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.

In this unit, pupils read and explore 'A Christmas Carol'. They start by reading the novella in full, pausing during each stave to analyse key scenes, characters, themes and methods. After reading the novella, pupils chart Scrooge's redemptive journey and craft an essay on the presentation of fear.

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Historic or outdated representations of people that may portray inequality or injustice.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

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Starting with the first, put the stages of the writing process in chronological order.

Which of the following is an example of a discourse marker? 

Dickens presents Scrooge as an enlightened character in Stave 3.

Scrooge is a much more emotional character in Stave two.

In Stave 2, Dickens illustrates Scrooge's capacity for empathy.

In Stave 2, the Ghost of Christmas Past shows Scrooge his childhood.

A group of students were answering the question: How does Dickens present Scrooge in Stave 2 of 'A Christmas Carol'? Whose topic sentence is best?

A quote that is hidden within the text and requires decoding.

A quote that is written within quotation marks.

A quote that is fully integrated into the text and flows naturally.

A quote that is unrelated to the topic of the text.

A quote that is positioned at the beginning of a paragraph.

"In came Mrs. Fezziwig, one vast substantial smile."

"Another idol has displaced me...a golden one."

"The happiness he gives, is quite as great as if it cost a fortune.”

If you were answering the question: How does Dickens present Fezziwig in 'A Christmas Carol'? Which pieces of evidence could you use to support the idea that he represents philanthropy?

Thus, Dickens illustrates the transformative power of generosity and empathy.

The novella is a timeless tale about the joy of Christmas.

Scrooge's story shows us that the pursuit of wealth is wrong.

 "And so, as Tiny Tim observed, 'God bless us, every one!'"

The Ghost of Christmas Past represents enlightenment.

Which of the following is the best example of a closing sentence? 

What does Scrooge represent in Stave 1 of 'A Christmas Carol'? 

 "These were shadows of the things that have been."

"I have always thought of Christmas as a good time."

Match the quotations from 'A Christmas Carol' to the character who says it.

Starting with the first, put the components of an analytical essay in order.

Discourse markers to organise your argument. 

Integrated context used to support your argument.

Textual evidence that is analysed thoroughly. 

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

'a poor excuse for picking a man's pocket every twenty-fifth...'

'Darkness is cheap and Scrooge liked it.'

'Scrooge took his usual melancholy dinner.'

Which of the following quotations might you use to show Scrooge's miserliness in Stave 1 of 'A Christmas Carol'? 

Malthus was an economist who believed there wasn't enough food to go around.

The Poor Law aimed to separate those who could work and those who couldn't.

Child labour was common in the Victorian era with children working in factories.

Charles Dickens gave a speech in Manchester in 1843.

Which of the following would be the most appropriate piece of context to use when analysing the quotation 'Are there no prisons?' from 'A Christmas Carol'? 

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Adult supervision recommended

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