an idea you develop and maintain throughout an essay

an idea that is not tied to a particular detail

an idea that is tied to a particular detail

things that can’t be explained by the laws of nature

Introductions to essays about Puck 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

General statement about the character or theme given in the question

Specific thesis in response to the question

Starting with the first part, order the three part structure for an introduction which you could follow when writing an introduction in answer to a question on 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'.

An introduction should start with 'I' so we know you'll present your own ideas.

You must start an introduction with a quotation.

An introduction should start with a general statement about the text.

A pupil wrote: "Despite being mischievous, Puck restores order at the end of Act 3." as the first line of an introduction to an essay on 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. What feedback might you give them?

Your introduction should start with a thesis.

This statement is too general to be useful or helpful.

You should include a quotation in your first line so you can analyse it.

This would be a better topic sentence rather than an introduction.

A pupil wrote: "'A Midsummer Night's Dream' is a play." as the first line of their introduction to an essay. What feedback might you give them?

An introduction to an essay about 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' should include a specific {{}} which explains your main idea in relation to the question.

Your first sentence should explain who Shakespeare was.

Your first sentence should be a quotation.

Your first sentence should summarise the plot.

Your first sentence should be a general statement about the text.

A pupil said: "The first sentence of your introduction should be your thesis." How would you correct them?

He accidently puts the magical potion on Lysander.

He decides to transform Bottom's head into that of a donkey.

He gives an epilogue at the end of the play.

He is known to play cruel and malicious tricks on people.

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', why might we describe the character of Puck as capricious?

Starting with the first section, order the structure which could be useful to follow when writing an essay about 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'.

Shakespeare has two settings in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. What are they?

Athens is supernatural; the forest is not.

Athens has a hierarchy; the forest does not.

Athens is very structured and ordered; there is chaos in the forest.

Athens is ruled by humans; the forest is ruled by fairies.

There is no conflict in Athens; there is a lot of conflict in the forest.

Shakespeare sets 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' in Athens and in a magical forest. What are some of the differences between the two places?

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', what are some of the supernatural things that occur?

That the supernatural could be evil and connected to the devil.

That the supernatural only existed in plays and songs.

That fairies could be sometimes be kind and helpful.

That Shakespeare invented the supernatural.

Shakespeare wrote  'A Midsummer Night's Dream' for an Elizabethan audience. What were some of their views on the supernatural?

Elizabethans would have connected all the supernatural events to the devil.

Sometimes Puck seems mischievous, and sometimes more malevolent.

It is unclear if we should trust Puck during his epilogue.

The supernatural creates chaos, but it also restores order.

Why might we describe the presentation of the supernatural in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' as ambiguous?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

Adult supervision recommended

Starter Quiz