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Year 11
AQA

Using quotations and context effectively in an 'An Inspector Calls' essay

I can use quotations judiciously and effectively embed context into an ‘An Inspector Calls’ essay.

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New
New
Year 11
AQA

Using quotations and context effectively in an 'An Inspector Calls' essay

I can use quotations judiciously and effectively embed context into an ‘An Inspector Calls’ essay.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A successful essay will have a clear overarching argument.
  2. References to the text should link to your topic sentence, and come from across the play.
  3. Select main quotations and supporting quotations to support your overarching argument.
  4. Main quotations should be analysed; supporting quotations don’t need to be analysed.
  5. Context should be embedded, relevant and can include a range of different types.

Keywords

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

  • Thesis - the overarching argument to an essay, supported by the entire text

  • Context - the circumstances, background, or setting in which a story or text is written or read

  • Embed - to incorporate evidence, like quotes or context, into your sentences without disrupting the flow of writing

  • Judiciously - selecting and using quotes carefully and wisely to effectively support your analysis or argument

Common misconception

All quotations in an essay require analysis.

Some quotations are useful for supporting your argument but do not require detailed analysis. These should be embedded directly into pupils' sentences


To help you plan your year 11 english lesson on: Using quotations and context effectively in an 'An Inspector Calls' essay, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

If pupils have completed their own essay writing, you may wish them to compare their own essays to the success criteria created in Learning Cycle 1.
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Teacher tip
equipment-required

Equipment

You will need access to a copy of ‘An Inspector Calls’ by J.B. Priestley, Heinemann 2014 edition.

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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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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the essay terms to their definitions.
Correct Answer:thesis,overarching argument supported by whole text
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overarching argument supported by whole text

Correct Answer:topic sentence,first sentence of a paragraph, stating its main idea
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first sentence of a paragraph, stating its main idea

Correct Answer:dramatic methods,the tools a playwright uses to create drama e.g. dialogue
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the tools a playwright uses to create drama e.g. dialogue

Correct Answer:concluding sentence,the final sentence of a paragraph, focusing on the writer's intention
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the final sentence of a paragraph, focusing on the writer's intention

Q2.
J.B. Priestley is a playwright. When analysing his play 'An Inspector Calls', you will explore his dramatic methods. Which of the following are not dramatic methods?
use of stage directions
symbolism in the set and props
Correct answer: explanation of characters' backstories
dialogue and interactions between characters
Correct answer: analysis of language
Q3.
When writing an essay on 'An Inspector Calls', you will include topic sentences. What is true of topic sentences?
They are the same as thesis statements.
Correct answer: They explain the focus of an individual paragraph.
They should include main quotations.
They should repeat your thesis.
They should list the dramatic devices you will explore.
Q4.
Before writing an essay on 'An Inspector Calls', you should create a plan. What is part of the planning process?
Correct answer: writing topic sentences
Correct answer: annotating the essay question
writing a main body paragraph
Correct answer: selecting your main quotations and your supporting quotations for each paragraph
Q5.
When writing an essay on 'An Inspector Calls', your quotations should ...
come from just one act.
come from one character monologue.
come from just the dialogue.
come from just the stage directions.
Correct answer: come from across the play.
Q6.
Which statements about main quotations are false?
They should be analysed in detail with reference to methods.
They need to support your topic sentence.
Correct answer: They should be embedded into sentences.
They should be linked to the writer's intention.

6 Questions

Q1.
Which definition best describes the word judiciously?
to identify the circumstances, background, or setting in which a text is written
incorporate evidence, like quotes, into sentences without disrupting the writing
Correct answer: select and use quotes carefully and wisely to effectively support an essay
Q2.
Which elements below contribute to a successful essay?
Correct answer: topic sentences and concluding sentences are focused on argument
Correct answer: interesting and clear thesis
quotes are always long and detailed
Correct answer: always linking back to writer’s intention
Q3.
Match the different elements of an essay to their definition.
Correct Answer:topic sentence,states the paragraph’s main idea and links to overarching argument
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states the paragraph’s main idea and links to overarching argument

Correct Answer:main quotations,support your topic sentence and require analysis
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support your topic sentence and require analysis

Correct Answer:supporting quotations,support your topic sentence but don’t need analysis
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support your topic sentence but don’t need analysis

Correct Answer:concluding sentence,the final sentence of a paragraph which links to your topic sentence
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the final sentence of a paragraph which links to your topic sentence

Q4.
Which statements are true of supporting quotations?
They should be analysed in detail with reference to methods.
Correct answer: They can be embedded into sentences.
They don’t need to support your topic sentence.
Correct answer: They don’t need to be analysed for methods.
Q5.
Complete the sentence: when writing an essay you should always aim to link back to the writer's
language choices
publication date
Correct answer: intention
biographical information
use of terminology
Q6.
When using context in an essay you should ...
Correct answer: ensure it's embeded throughout your answer.
include it in every paragraph.
make sure it goes at the end of your paragraph.
use isolated histroical facts.

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