an idea you develop and maintain throughout an essay

making a judgement or comment about something

an idea that is not tied to a particular detail

an idea that is tied to a particular detail

what a writer wants to achieve or explore in their work

Conclusions to essays: Puck and the supernatural in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’

English

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', pupils learn about marriage conventions within Shakespeare's patriarchal society. In 'Macbeth: Lady Macbeth as a Machiavellian Villain', pupils explore the ways in which this female character subverts the expectations of women in her day and question whether modern and contemporary audiences are likely to sympathise with her. 

In 'The Tempest', pupils explore the ways in which Ariel and Caliban, as 'outsiders', might be perceived by modern and contemporary audiences. In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', pupils use context to develop their understanding of marriage rituals and attitudes to magic in the play. 

In this unit, pupils read and explore Shakespeare's comedy 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. They focus on the character Puck and the theme of the supernatural, and analyse their role and importance at different points in the play. Finally, they plan and write an essay about Puck and the supernatural.

'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

Depiction or discussion of distress or humiliation e.g. bullying.

Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

A sentence with a specific response to your thesis.

An evaluative comment about Shakespeare's intentions.

A general comment about why the play is still important and popular.

Starting with the first sentence, order the possible structure for a concluding paragraph in an analytical essay on 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'.

When writing a conclusion to an essay about 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', there are some terms which can help you understand what you should include. Match the key terms to their definitions.

a general idea about why the play remains popular

When writing a conclusion to an essay about 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', what should you include?

repeat your thesis for the third and final time

consider why the play remains popular and important

When writing a conclusion to an essay about 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', what could the final sentence of your conclusion do?

Repeat quotations you have already analysed, but don't include any new ones.

Only include quotations from the last scene of the play.

Include quotations in your main body paragraphs rather than your conclusion.

Include quotations and, crucially, analysis of these quotations.

Include general quotations, or ones that are specific to your thesis.

A pupil said of writing conclusions to essays about 'A Midsummer Night's Dream': "You should always include quotations." How would you correct them?

When writing a conclusion to an essay about 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', your first sentence could be a specific response to your...

When writing an analytical essay on 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', what might your final paragraph do?

'A Midsummer Night's Dream' is a comedy. How might Shakespeare expect his audiences to respond to the plot and characters?

'A Midsummer Night's Dream' is a comedy. What are some common features of Shakespearean comedies?

The supernatural characters both create chaos but also restore order.

The supernatural characters have servants but also magical powers.

The supernatural characters do cruel things but they are also funny.

The supernatural characters speak to each other but not to the human characters.

A supernatural character gives an apologetic epilogue but he created the chaos.

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', why might some argue that the supernatural is presented as ambiguous?

it has the power to alter who you love, and who you are.

you could also interpret it as harmless and fun.

Shakespeare might be asking us to consider darker ideas in his comedy.

Match these evaluative sentences about the supernatural, an important idea in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', to their endings.

When writing an analytical essay about 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', you will include a {{}} in your introduction which states the main idea you want to develop and maintain throughout your essay.

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

Adult supervision recommended

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