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Introductions to essays about Puck in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

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Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can write a well-structured introduction for an essay about the character of Puck in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'.

Key learning points

  1. Introductions can follow a three part structure moving from the general to the specific.
  2. The first sentence of an introduction could be a general statement about the text.
  3. The second sentence of the introduction could be a general statement about the given character or theme.
  4. The final sentence of your introduction could be your thesis.

Keywords

  • Capricious - impulsive, reckless, changeable

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

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

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

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

Common misconception

Introductions are the same as thesis statements.

An introduction includes a thesis statement. However, an introduction should include a more general statement about the text, as well as a more general statement about the given character or theme as well as the thesis.

Teacher tip

Consider the two model introductions in the first learning cycle. Consider if the weaker model is an accurate reflection of some of the misconceptions you want to address with your pupils. If not, consider re-writing it so you can address your pupils' specific misconceptions.

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 (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
 (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download starter quiz questions (PDF)

6 Questions

Q1.
Starting with the first section, order the structure which could be useful to follow when writing an essay about 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'.

1 - introduction
2 - main body paragraph 1
3 - main body paragraph 2
4 - main body paragraph 3
5 - conclusion

Q2.
Shakespeare has two settings in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. What are they?

Correct answer: the magical forest
the magical city Athens
Correct answer: the city of Athens
Elizabethan England
the theatre

Q3.
Shakespeare sets 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' in Athens and in a magical forest. What are some of the differences between the two places?

Athens is supernatural; the forest is not.
Athens has a hierarchy; the forest does not.
Correct answer: Athens is very structured and ordered; there is chaos in the forest.
Correct answer: 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.

Q4.
In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', what are some of the supernatural things that occur?

Correct answer: the use of the magical potion
the conflict between Oberon and Titania
Correct answer: Puck transforming Bottom
Puck making a mistake
Correct answer: Lysander falling in love with Helena

Q5.
Shakespeare wrote 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' for an Elizabethan audience. What were some of their views on the supernatural?

Correct answer: That the supernatural could be evil and connected to the devil.
That the supernatural only existed in plays and songs.
Correct answer: That fairies could be sometimes be kind and helpful.
That their monarch was supernatural.
That Shakespeare invented the supernatural.

Q6.
Why might we describe the presentation of the supernatural in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' as ambiguous?

Puck is clearly meant to be evil.
Elizabethans would have connected all the supernatural events to the devil.
Correct answer: Sometimes Puck seems mischievous, and sometimes more malevolent.
Correct answer: It is unclear if we should trust Puck during his epilogue.
Correct answer: The supernatural creates chaos, but it also restores order.

Assessment exit quiz

Download exit quiz questions (PDF)

6 Questions

Q1.
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'.

1 - General statment about the text
2 - General statement about the character or theme given in the question
3 - Specific thesis in response to the question

Q2.
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?

An introduction should start with 'I' so we know you'll present your own ideas.
This would be a better topic sentence.
This statement is too general.
You must start an introduction with a quotation.
Correct answer: An introduction should start with a general statement about the text.

Q3.
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?

Your introduction should start with a thesis.
Correct answer: 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.
The next line needs to be a quotation.

Q4.
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.

Correct Answer: thesis, thesis statement

Q5.
A pupil said: "The first sentence of your introduction should be your thesis." How would you correct them?

Your first sentence should explain who Shakespeare was.
Your first sentence should be a quotation.
Your first sentence should summarise the plot.
Correct answer: Your first sentence should be a general statement about the text.

Q6.
In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', why might we describe the character of Puck as capricious?

He is a loyal servant to Oberon.
He accidently puts the magical potion on Lysander.
Correct answer: He decides to transform Bottom's head into that of a donkey.
He gives an epilogue at the end of the play.
Correct answer: He is known to play cruel and malicious tricks on people.

To help you plan your 8 English lesson on: Introductions to essays about Puck in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...