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

A piece of writing that explains and develops your own argument.

The tools a playwright uses to create drama. Examples are setting, stage directions, dialogue and language choices.

To make and add notes or short explanations to texts or images.

An idea that is explored in a text in a number of different ways to fully explore the complexity of that idea.

‘Leave Taking’: annotating essay questions and writing thesis statements

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 sexual or domestic abuse or violence, including  threats of or the aftermath of.

Depiction or discussion of sexual violence

A piece of writing that explains and develops an argument.

Overarching argument to an essay, supported by whole text.

First sentence of a paragraph, giving it direction/purpose.

You will write a number of essays about the play 'Leave Taking'. Match the essay term to its definition.

To write topic sentences you can use in an essay

To make and add notes or short explanations

To write down the notes you made on the play onto the essay question

To re-write the essay question in your own words

When given an essay question about 'Leave Taking', you should annotate it. What does it mean to annotate an essay question?

Many essay questions about 'Leave Taking' will start with the word "How". What does the "How" in an essay question refer to?

Here is an essay question about 'Leave Taking': 'How does Pinnock use the character of Brod to explore ideas about isolation?' What are the key words in the question?

a thesis statement is supported by the whole text

a thesis statement must include quotations

a topic sentence will focus on one specific idea in a text

a topic sentence shouldn't be argumentative, unlike a thesis

In what ways is a thesis statement different to a topic sentence?

No - it is not supported by the whole text

''Leave Taking' begins with a conflict between Del and Enid, immediately establishing the idea that intergenerational conflict is important to Pinnock's play.' Is this sentence a thesis statement?

The central character in 'Leave Taking' is Enid. Which of the following are important in terms of Enid's identity?

In her introduction to 'Leave Taking', Pinnock describes Enid as "{{ }} between two worlds."

A theme is a character the writer creates.

The dialogue a writer includes to express their characters thoughts and feelings

A synonym for a motif - a recurring symbol in a text.

An idea that is explored in a text in a number of different ways.

In 'Leave Taking', many themes are explored. What is a theme?

In 'Leave Taking', why might Enid's sense of identity be fragile?

her complex relationship with her daughters

as a way to explore the historical figure, Nanny of the Maroons

In her introduction to 'Leave Taking', Pinnock says she became "fascinated" by the character of Enid. Why?

Previously, only Shakespeare's plays had heroes and heroines.

Pinnock had not seen a single mother in a lead role in a play before.

Pinnock had not seen a heroine talk in tongues on stage before.

Pinnock wanted to establish the idea of a Black British experience.

Pinnock had not seen a character portrayed as a cleaner in a lead role before.

Why did Pinnock want to make Enid the lead and heroine of her play, 'Leave Taking'?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of sexual violence

Adult supervision required

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

‘Leave Taking’: annotating essay questions and writing thesis statements

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.