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Year 9

Analysis of the theme of appearances and reality in ‘Othello’

I can structure a conceptual argument about the theme of appearances and reality in ‘Othello’.

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Year 9

Analysis of the theme of appearances and reality in ‘Othello’

I can structure a conceptual argument about the theme of appearances and reality in ‘Othello’.

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These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Critically evaluative thesis statements can be developed using 'whilst', 'not only' and 'crucially'.
  2. Thesis statements should address the writer's purpose or message, in relation to the question focus.
  3. Topic sentences should contain evaluative adjectives and phrases to communicate an interpretation - not devices.
  4. Topic sentences should develop in a sequence, to maintain focus on the argument.

Keywords

  • Deceit - the act of causing someone to believe something that is not true

  • Perception - the ability to hear, see or become aware of something

  • Contemptible - unworthy of respect

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

Common misconception

As long as you have planned the argument of your essay, you are ready to write it.

Planning topic sentences to go with your argument is also important to ensure that your essay is focused on proving the argument.


To help you plan your year 9 english lesson on: Analysis of the theme of appearances and reality in ‘Othello’, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Ask students to swap plans and see if there are any good points students can get from a partner to add to their own plan in learning cycle 2.
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Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
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Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

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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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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What paragraph does the thesis statement go in?
Correct answer: introduction
main body
conclusion
Q2.
A thesis statement should...
include quotes.
include analysis.
Correct answer: include the writer's purpose.
Q3.
In Shakespeare's 'Othello', how does the character of Iago link to the theme of appearance vs reality?
He is malcontent, evoking vengeance on others
Correct answer: He is deceitful, manipulating other characters' perception
He is satanic, purposely destroying other characters' happiness
Q4.
What does Iago do in Act 3 Scene 3 of 'Othello' to act as director?
Correct answer: stages a fabricated conversation with Cassio, whilst Othello is forced to listen
kills Roderigo and blames it on Cassio
stages a kiss between Cassio and Desdemona, whilst Othello is forced to watch
Q5.
What might Shakespeare's purpose be in exploring the theme of appearance vs reality in 'Othello'?
to expose that you cannot trust your partner in a marriage
Correct answer: to warn that outward appearances can be deceiving
to reveal that being deceitful can make you popular
Q6.
Through his play 'Othello', how does Shakespeare warn the audience of being too trusting?
Othello dies after being manipulated by Iago
Venice is under attack due to trusting Iago's instincts
Correct answer: all characters that trust Iago (Roderigo, Othello, Emilia) suffer a tragic end

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which character from 'Othello' can be considered a deceiving and contemptible antihero?
Correct answer: Iago
Othello
Desdemona
Roderigo
Q2.
Match the criteria with the correct element of the plan.
Correct Answer:explains the purpose of a body paragraph,topic sentence
tick

topic sentence

Correct Answer:supported by the entire text,thesis statement
tick

thesis statement

Correct Answer:found at the end of each body paragraph,concluding sentence
tick

concluding sentence

Correct Answer:help you prove your topic sentence,supporting details
tick

supporting details

Q3.
What could be improved about this topic sentence about 'Othello': 'Iago reveals himself to be deceitful through many soliloquies.'?
it should be made longer
Correct answer: offer more interpretation rather than just identifying devices
offer more commentary on devices rather than interpretation
Q4.
Which topic sentence does not fit the thesis: 'Shakespeare shows Iago as inseparable from the theme of appearances vs reality.'?
Correct answer: Othello is the most naïve character as he trusts Iago
Iago deceives Roderigo in Act 1
Iago is a director in the play, manipulating Othello's perception of reality
Q5.
How can you make your thesis statement more critically evaluative when writing an essay?
offer a quote from the text
offer some language analysis
Correct answer: offer a slightly less common viewpoint
Q6.
What is true about the sequencing of topic sentences?
start with the idea you have most quotes for
Correct answer: each topic sentence should build upon the previous to gradually prove the thesis
end with the idea you have most quotes for
the topic sentences can be in a random order as long as they prove the thesis