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Year 10
AQA

Writing introductions and conclusions for an 'An Inspector Calls' essay

I can create sophisticated introductions and conclusions for an essay about the Birlings and the theme of responsibilty.

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Year 10
AQA

Writing introductions and conclusions for an 'An Inspector Calls' essay

I can create sophisticated introductions and conclusions for an essay about the Birlings and the theme of responsibilty.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. An introduction and conclusion could follow a three part structure.
  2. An excellent introduction could start with a general statement about the text.
  3. An introduction could then have a more specific statement about the focus of the question, followed by a thesis.
  4. A conclusion could consider the timeless nature of the text.

Keywords

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

  • Theme - an idea that is explored multiple times in a text

  • Timeless - a text that remains relevant no matter the time period

  • Universal - an adjective used to describe a text which, regardless of time period or circumstance, audiences can relate to

Common misconception

The general statement about the text in the introduction can be any fact you know about it.

The general statement, the first sentence of your introduction, should still connect to the essay question.


To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Writing introductions and conclusions for an 'An Inspector Calls' essay, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

You may wish to adapt the essay question to suit your pupils or the focus of your lesson.
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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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Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of mental health issues
supervision-level

Supervision

Adult supervision required

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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.
Is the answer true or false? In 'An Inspector Calls' Mr. and Mrs. Birling take full responsibility for their actions.
Correct Answer: false
Q2.
What does the term 'universal' mean in the context of a play's themes?
specific to one character's experience
Correct answer: relevant to everyone, regardless of time or place
limited to the playwright's personal opinions
focused only on historical events
Q3.
Starting with the first, put these plot points from 'An Inspector Calls' in chronological order. They all link to the theme of responsibility over Eva Smith's fate.
1 - Mr. Birling denies responsibility, prioritising business over workers' welfare.
2 - Sheila accepts her role in Eva's dismissal, showing regret and learning.
3 - Gerald distances himself from blame but reveals his affair with Eva.
4 - Mrs. Birling refuses responsibility, blaming Eva for her own situation.
5 - Eric admits guilt for exploiting Eva, acknowledging his moral failure.
6 - The Inspector highlights collective responsibility for Eva’s death.
7 - The ambiguous ending challenges whether the characters will truly change.
Q4.
When given an essay question about 'An Inspector Calls', you should annotate it. What does it mean to annotate an essay question?
to write topic sentences you can use in an essay
Correct answer: to make and add notes or short explanations
to create a thesis statement
to write down the notes you made on the play onto the essay question
to re-write the essay question in your own words
Q5.
Here is an essay question about 'An Inspector Calls': 'How does Priestley use the character of Gerald to explore ideas about class?' What are the key words in the question?
Correct answer: How
Priestley
Correct answer: Gerald
explore
Correct answer: class
Q6.
'In 'An Inspector Calls' Mr. Birling's characterisation is established by Priestley in the opening stage directions, where he is described as "portentous".' Is this sentence a thesis statement?
Yes - it looks at dramatic methods
Yes - it looks at an important theme
Correct answer: No - it is not supported by the whole text
No - it mentions Priestley's name
No - it doesn't include quotations

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
The themes in 'An Inspector Calls' could be described as ...
obsolete
Correct answer: timeless
dated
Correct answer: universal
archaic
Q2.
Which word beginning with 't' describes: 'a statement that provides the overarching argument to an essay, supported by the entire text.'?
Correct Answer: thesis, thesis statement, a thesis, a thesis statement
Q3.
Good introductions for an essay on 'An Inspector Calls' could follow a three part structure. Starting with the first, put the three part structure into the correct order.
1 - a sentence about the text as a whole
2 - a sentence about the given theme or character
3 - a thesis statement
Q4.
Good conclusions for an essay on 'An Inspector Calls' could follow a three part structure. Staring with the first, put the three part structure into the correct order.
1 - specific response to your thesis
2 - focus on writer’s overall purpose
3 - impact of text today
Q5.
A pupil wrote an introduction to an essay which included a general statement about the text and a general statement about the essay's chosen theme. What is their introduction missing?
a summary of the plot
mention of dramatic methods
language analysis
supporting quotations
Correct answer: a thesis statement
Q6.
A pupil wrote a conclusion to a 'An Inspector Calls' essay which included a response to their thesis and a focus on the impact of the text today. What is their conclusion missing?
supporting quotations
analysis of dramatic methods
an explanation about how much youthey liked the text
Correct answer: a focus on Priestley's intentions
autobiographical detail about Priestley