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Year 8

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

I can write a well-structured conclusion about how Shakespeare uses the character of Puck to explore the supernatural in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'.

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Year 8

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

I can write a well-structured conclusion about how Shakespeare uses the character of Puck to explore the supernatural in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Conclusions can follow a three part structure moving from the specific to the general.
  2. The first sentence of a conclusion could be a specific response to the thesis you have argued throughout your essay.
  3. The second sentence of a conclusion could be an evaluative comment about the writer's intentions.
  4. The final sentence of your conclusion could consider why the text remains popular and relevant.
  5. You don't need to include quotations in a conclusion.

Common misconception

Conclusions should include quotations.

Conclusions are about summing up your overall argument (your thesis) rather than continuing to develop it via analysis of new quotations.

Keywords

  • Thesis - an idea you develop and maintain throughout an essay

  • Evaluation - making a judgement or comment about something

  • General idea - an idea that is not tied to a particular detail

  • Specific idea - an idea that is tied to a particular detail

  • Writer's intentions - what a writer wants to achieve or explore in their work

Consider if the weaker model in the Practice Task of learning cycle 1 is reflective of some of the areas of target for your pupils. If not, consider re-writing it so you can have more specific discussions about appropriate misconceptions.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You need access to a copy of William Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'.

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
When writing an analytical essay on 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', what might your final paragraph do?
introduce your thesis
review the play
summarise the plot of the play
Correct answer: conclude the essay
Q2.
'A Midsummer Night's Dream' is a comedy. How might Shakespeare expect his audiences to respond to the plot and characters?
with supernaturalness
Correct answer: with laughter
with anger
with sadness
with tears
Q3.
'A Midsummer Night's Dream' is a comedy. What are some common features of Shakespearean comedies?
the supernatural
Correct answer: a happy ending
Correct answer: marriages in Act 5
Correct answer: misunderstandings
Kings and Queens
Q4.
In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', why might some argue that the supernatural is presented as ambiguous?
Correct answer: The supernatural characters both create chaos but also restore order.
The supernatural characters have servants but also magical powers.
Correct answer: The supernatural characters do cruel things but they are also funny.
The supernatural characters speak to each other but not to the human characters.
Correct answer: A supernatural character gives an apologetic epilogue but he created the chaos.
Q5.
Match these evaluative sentences about the supernatural, an important idea in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', to their endings.
Correct Answer:The supernatural is scary because,it has the power to alter who you love, and who you are.

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

Correct Answer:The supernatural is scary but,you could also interpret it as harmless and fun.

you could also interpret it as harmless and fun.

Correct Answer:The supernatural is scary so,Shakespeare might be asking us to consider darker ideas in his comedy.

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

Q6.
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.
Correct Answer: thesis

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Starting with the first sentence, order the possible structure for a concluding paragraph in an analytical essay on 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'.
1 - A sentence with a specific response to your thesis.
2 - An evaluative comment about Shakespeare's intentions.
3 - A general comment about why the play is still important and popular.
Q2.
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.
Correct Answer:thesis,an idea you develop and maintain throughout an essay

an idea you develop and maintain throughout an essay

Correct Answer:evaluation,making a judgement or comment about something

making a judgement or comment about something

Correct Answer:general idea,an idea that is not tied to a particular detail

an idea that is not tied to a particular detail

Correct Answer:specific idea,an idea that is tied to a particular detail

an idea that is tied to a particular detail

Correct Answer:writer's intentions,what a writer wants to achieve or explore in their work

what a writer wants to achieve or explore in their work

Q3.
When writing a conclusion to an essay about 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', what should you include?
analysis of quotations
Correct answer: evaluation of writer's intentions
general summary of the plot
Correct answer: a response to your thesis
Correct answer: a general idea about why the play remains popular
Q4.
When writing a conclusion to an essay about 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', what could the final sentence of your conclusion do?
ask the reader a question about the play
repeat your thesis for the third and final time
offer a counter argument to your thesis
include a quotation
Correct answer: consider why the play remains popular and important
Q5.
A pupil said of writing conclusions to essays about 'A Midsummer Night's Dream': "You should always include quotations." How would you correct them?
Repeat quotations you have already analysed, but don't include any new ones.
Only include quotations from the last scene of the play.
Correct answer: 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.
Q6.
When writing a conclusion to an essay about 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', your first sentence could be a specific response to your...
Correct Answer: thesis