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Year 8

Creating an argument about the character of Puck in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’

I can create and maintain an argument about the character of Puck by writing clear topic sentences which support a thesis statement.

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Year 8

Creating an argument about the character of Puck in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’

I can create and maintain an argument about the character of Puck by writing clear topic sentences which support a thesis statement.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A thesis is an idea that you develop and maintain throughout an essay.
  2. A thesis should consider the writer and their intentions.
  3. Topic sentences should develop and maintain your thesis.

Common misconception

If you are writing about a character, you should just write down everything you know about them.

When writing about a character, you should consider how you interpret them and why. You should explain this main idea in your thesis.

Keywords

  • Essay - a piece of writing that explains and develops a big idea you have about a text

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

  • Topic sentence - the first sentence of a paragraph which states the paragraph’s main idea

  • Maintain - continue, keep up

  • Shakespearean comedy - a play designed to make you laugh, often involving misunderstandings and ending in marriage

Consider that both check for understanding slides provide a number of example and non examples of thesis statements and topic sentences. Consider if they are reflective of the types of misconceptions that you want to address with your pupils and, if not, change them accordingly.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You need access to a copy of William Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. However, the extracts required for this lesson can also be found in the additional materials.

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of serious crime
  • Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
  • Depiction or discussion of sexual violence

Supervision

Adult supervision required

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.
'A Midsummer Night's Dream' is a , which means it is a play designed to make you laugh, often involving misunderstandings and ending in marriage.
Correct Answer: comedy, Comedy
Q2.
In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', the character of Puck is also know as...
Correct Answer: Robin Goodfellow
Q3.
In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', which characters does Puck speak to directly?
Titania
Correct answer: a fairy
Correct answer: Oberon
Lysander
Correct answer: the audience
Q4.
In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', what does Puck do for Oberon?
Correct answer: fetches the magical potion
steals the little boy Oberon wants from Titania
Correct answer: restores order to the unhappy Athenian nobles
transforms Bottom
puts the magical potion on Titania
Q5.
In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', it could be argued that Egeus tries to control Hermia in some of the same ways that Oberon tries to control .
Correct Answer: Titania
Q6.
In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', why might we describe Puck as an irreverent character?
Correct answer: He transformss Bottom.
He follows Oberon's orders.
Correct answer: He enjoys chaos in the forest.
He restores order in the forest.
Correct answer: He likes playing practical jokes.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
When writing about 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' it is useful to understand the following terms. Match each to their definition.
Correct Answer:essay,a piece of writing that explains and develops a big idea you have

a piece of writing that explains and develops a big idea you have

Correct Answer:thesis,an idea you develop and maintain throughout an essay

an idea you develop and maintain throughout an essay

Correct Answer:topic sentence,the first sentence of a paragraph which states its main idea

the first sentence of a paragraph which states its main idea

Q2.
An analytical about 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' will see you write a long answer to a question that explains and develops a big idea you have about a text.
Correct Answer: essay
Q3.
When writing about 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', you will create a thesis statement. What is true of thesis statements?
It is the first sentence of each paragraph stating its main idea.
Correct answer: It is found in your introduction.
Correct answer: It states the main idea you will prove throughout your essay.
It is a synonym for an essay.
It is found in your conclusion - a thesis is what you work towards.
Q4.
When writing about 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', you will create a thesis statement. How can you maintain ideas from your thesis throughout your essay?
By copying your thesis into every paragraph.
Correct answer: By using your topic sentences to develop your thesis.
By making sure your thesis is powerful.
By coming up with completely new ideas in every paragraph.
By arguing both sides of your thesis.
Q5.
When writing about 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', you will create a topic sentences. What is true of topic sentences?
They are found in your introduction.
They introduce new ideas separate to your thesis.
Correct answer: They develop and maintain your thesis.
They should always include quotations.
Correct answer: They come at the start of your paragraph and state the paragraph's main idea.
Q6.
When writing about 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', you will create a thesis statement and topic sentences. What are some of the differences between them?
Correct answer: A thesis statement starts your essay; topic sentences start a paragraph.
A thesis statement presents two sides to an argument; a topic sentence doesn't.
A thesis statement ends you essay; a topic sentence starts an essay.
A thesis statement explains if you liked the text; a topic sentence is analysis.
Correct answer: A thesis statement is your main idea; topic sentences develop your thesis.