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

When there is a focus on European culture or history, ignoring or excluding cultures and history from the wider world.

A feeling of being out of place, or in the wrong place.

The feeling that you are accepted in a group, community or society.

Writing a ‘Leave Taking’ essay on the character of Viv and ideas of belonging

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

Expressions that are regarded as coarse or otherwise unacceptable, including swear words and rude words.

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

main body paragraph 1, starting with a clear topic sentence

main body paragraph 2, starting with a clear topic sentence

main body paragraph 3, starting with a clear topic sentence

 Starting with the first element, put the essay structure for analytical writing on 'Leave Taking' in chronological order.

in your introduction, and then repeated, word for word, in your conclusion

When writing essays on 'Leave Taking', you will include a thesis. Where should your thesis be found?

moves from the general to the specific, includes your thesis

first sentence of each paragraph stating its main idea

exploration of moments, quotations and methods from the text

last sentence of each paragraph; focus on writer's intention

moves from the specific to the general; focus on the writer 

Essays are made up of different elements. Match each element to its definition and purpose.

making a list of all the dramatic methods you can remember

starting the essay, refining ideas in the editing stage

When you read an essay question on 'Leave Taking', what is the first step of the planning process?

overarching argument supported by the whole text 

first sentence of the paragraph stating your main idea

final sentence of a paragraph, concluding your idea

When planning an essay on 'Leave Taking', you should complete a detailed plan. Match each section of the planning grid to its definition.

thesis - it is about the character of Viv and no-one else

thesis - it begins with Pinnock's name showing she crafted the character

neither - this is analysis because it refers to a particular scene

topic sentence - it is focussed on one clear idea

topic sentence - one idea supported by a moment in text rather than whole text

A pupil drafts a sentence answering a question about Viv in 'Leave Taking': "Pinnock reveals Viv's unhappiness with the education system in Scene Two." Is this a topic sentence, or a thesis statement?

She is disillusioned with the education system.

She goes to university to pursue Black Studies.

Viv is one of the five characters in 'Leave Taking'. What do we find out about her over the course of the play?

Attends an obeah reading with her mum and sister

Studies whilst her mum prepares for the Pastor's visit

Tells her mother she wants to take a gap year

Has a heart to heart with Enid following her mother's death

Tells Del she skipped one of her English exams

Viv appears in five of 'Leave Taking's' eight scenes. Match her scenes to their plot points.

She can't see herself in the materials she is given in school.

School increases her sense of being out of place in Britain.

The work is too hard, which is why she skips one of her exams.

In 'Leave Taking', Viv is presented as a very successful and academic student. Why, though, is she dissatisfied with her education?

In Scene Four of 'Leave Taking', Viv complains to her mother that she spends "my life bent over books that have {{ }} to do with me."

In Scene Five of 'Leave Taking', Viv tells Del that she skipped one of her exams. One reason for doing this is, she says, "no matter how hard I search for myself in them books, I'm {{ }} there."

'Leave Taking' is a play concerned with the idea of belonging. But it is also concerned with its opposite: the feeling of dislocation. What does dislocation mean?

Content guidance

Contains strong language

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Adult supervision recommended

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

Writing a ‘Leave Taking’ essay on the character of Viv and ideas of belonging

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

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