Topic sentences should link to the question.
References to the text should link to your topic sentence, come from across the play, and be rich in methods.
Writer’s methods should be explored without always relying on single word analysis.
Context should be woven into analysis, not bolted on to the end of a paragraph.

Common misconception

Context should be the final sentence of each analytical paragraph.

Context should be woven in to paragraphs where relevant; context should help develop and enrich your ideas.

Keywords

Catalyst - something that causes a change or event to occur
Naturalisation - a process by which someone becomes a citizen of a country which they were not born in
Windrush scandal - when many citizens who had migrated to Britain between 1948 and 1973 were facing deportation under a discriminatory immigration system
Weave - in relation to context, when you embed it into paragraphs rather than including it as a series of isolated facts
Colonialism - when a country establishes control over another country, exploiting it for economic gain

Consider whether using models from your own class would be more purposeful than the pre-written models in the lesson.

Teacher tip

Equipment

You need access to a copy of Winsome Pinnock's 'Leave Taking' published by Nick Hern Books.

Content guidance

Contains strong language
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

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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Worksheet

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.

In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', three important historical figures are mentioned. Which one has Viv Never heard of?

William Shakespeare

Rupert Brooke

Correct answer: Nanny of the Maroons

Winsome Pinnock

Pastor Chully Johnson

Q2.

In Scene One of 'Leave Taking', what reason does Viv give for wanting to go to the West Indies?

Brod has told her that her father lives there and she should reconnect with him.

Enid wants Viv to go before university, so she can meet her relations.

She and Del have always wanted to go.

Mai has told her it is important in terms of her understanding her identity.

Correct answer: Brod has told her it is important in terms of her understanding her identity.

Q3.

Starting with the first, put these important plot points concerning the character of Viv in 'Leave Taking' in chronolgical order.

1 - hears Brod's anger at the British government

2 - Enid tells her something of her upbringing in rural poverty in Jamaica

3 - Enid gives her money she has been saving so Viv can be financially stable at uni

4 - visits Del at Mai's house and tells her she has skipped one of her A Levels

5 - decides to pursue Black Studies at university

Q4.

In Scene Eight of 'Leave Taking', Del tells Enid that Brod told her about Enid's experiences of domestic abuse. Enid is unhappy her daughter knows about this. How does Del justify Brod's revelation?

Brod was lashing out because Enid threw him out.

Brod told Viv, so it is only fair that he tells Del.

Brod didn't realise it was a secret.

Mai encouraged Brod to tell Del, to develop her and Enid's relationship.

Correct answer: This information will help Del understand who she is, and Enid's experiences.

Q5.

In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', Brod says " my life I think of meself as a British subject".

Correct Answer: All, all, all., All., "All"

Q6.

In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', Brod describes his past patriotism saying he used to stand "to attention me hear the national anthem".

Correct Answer: whenever, Whenever, Whenever., whenever., "whenever"

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.

In 'Leave Taking', Brod encourages Viv to question her education. What effect does this have on her?

It creates a barrier between her and Brod.

It creates conflict between her and Mai.

Correct answer: It serves as a catalyst for her rejection of the formal education system.

It serves as a catalyst for her refusing to ever go to university.

It serves as a catalyst for her rejection of her cultural identity.

Q2.

In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', Viv quotes from a poem called 'The Soldier' by Rupert Brooke. What are some of the main ideas expressed in this poem?

Correct answer: patriotism to England

a questioning of English traditions and values

what it can mean to migrate from one country to another

Correct answer: the love England has for its citizens

the history of Jamaica

Q3.

A pupil said, "You should include context at the end of each paragraph in a single sentence." How would you correct this student?

You don't need to correct them - this is a clear way to include context.

Correct answer: Context should be woven into your response, not bolted onto paragraphs.

You should only include context in your introduction.

Correct answer: Contextual ideas help enrich your analysis, so include throughout an essay.

Include context at the end of each paragraph, but in two sentences not one.

Q4.

A pupil said, "Only ever include one quotation per analytical paragraph." How would you correct them?

Only include one quotation, but analyse each word in the quotation in depth.

Correct answer: Best practice is to include multiple quotations from across a text.

Include three quotations: choose from the beginning, middle and end of a text.

Using one quotation is fine, as long as it is embedded.

Correct answer: Linking quotations together is a way to build a compelling argument.

Q5.

In 'Leave Taking', the character of Brod has to apply to become a British citizen in what is called a process.

Correct Answer: naturalisation, naturalisation., Naturalisation., Naturalisation, "naturalisation"

Q6.

In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', Brod expresses anger at having to complete a naturalisation process. Pinnock says Brod's words "echo words spoken thirty years later by victims of the 2018 ...".

Correct Answer: Windrush scandal, Windrush Scandal, windrush scandal, windrush Scandal, Windrush scandal.