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Year 10
Edexcel

'A Christmas Carol': writing about the presentation of children

I can demonstrate rich layers of textual analysis in my extended responses about children in the novella.

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New
New
Year 10
Edexcel

'A Christmas Carol': writing about the presentation of children

I can demonstrate rich layers of textual analysis in my extended responses about children in the novella.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Writers layer methods upon methods to create a literary text.
  2. When analysing the text, you can analyse the layers of meaning.
  3. The writer's method is any conscious choice the writer makes -the smallest method a writer uses is the individual word.
  4. You can analyse a quotation by starting with an overarching impression and then drilling down into the methods.
  5. Discourse markers can be used to link layers of analysis together.

Common misconception

Students think that the writer's method is just similes/metaphors etc.

The writer's method is anything that they do consciously - it's any conscious choice that they make.

Keywords

  • To analyse - To analyse a quotation means to examine it in detail to find meaning.

  • Method - A method is anything the writer does - any choice that the writer makes.

  • Discourse marker - A discourse marker is a word which helps us structure our writing or speech into sections.

  • Accustomed - If you become accustomed to something, you become used to it.

For task B in learning cycle 2, give students a completed plan and some quotations to use - this will reduce cognitive load. Ask them to do the analysis of the quotations and then write their analysis up as their extended response.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You will need access to a copy of Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol' for this lesson.

Content guidance

  • 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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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
In an analytical response, what are you expected to cover?
A detailed plot summary.
Correct answer: Detailed analysis of the writer's methods.
A detailed summary of the writer's life experiences.
Correct answer: Detailed exploration of the writer's message.
A detailed explanation of what your opinion about the main character was.
Q2.
In Stave 3 of 'A Christmas Carol', what does the Ghost of Christmas Present reveal about Tiny Tim's future?
He will become a wealthy businessman.
Correct answer: He will remain in poor health and not survive.
He will become Scrooge's next business partner.
He will become a clerk just like his father Bob.
He will become a child like Ignorance and Want.
Q3.
In 'A Christmas Carol', what is the significance of the Ghost of Christmas Present's torch?
It represents the warmth of family and love.
It symbolises the fleeting nature of time.
Correct answer: It represents Christmas spirit and goodwill.
It is a representation of material wealth.
It indicates the arrival of the winter season.
Q4.
In Stave 3 of 'A Christmas Carol', what transformation occurs in Scrooge during his time with the Ghost of Christmas Present?
He becomes more miserly and resentful.
Correct answer: He experiences a deep sense of regret and sorrow.
Correct answer: He develops a greater understanding of empathy and compassion.
He becomes more obsessed with wealth and material possessions.
Q5.
In Stave 3 of 'A Christmas Carol', what is the symbolic meaning of the two children under the Ghost of Christmas Present's robe?
Past and Future, symbolising the passage of time.
Wealth and Poverty, reflecting social inequality.
Scrooge's good and bad deeds, illustrating his inner conflict.
Charity and Generosity, emphasising the spirit of Christmas.
Correct answer: Ignorance and Want, representing mankind's sins.
Q6.
What is Dickens' message about childhood in 'A Christmas Carol'?
It is not a significant or important time.
Children should be used as a resource to support one's family.
Children don't need protecting - it is better that they understand injustice.
Correct answer: Children need protecting, so that they don't become resentful adults.
Correct answer: Children should live a carefree and dependent childhood.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
When we analyse a text, we are examining the writer's use of...
Correct Answer: methods., Methods., methods, Methods
Q2.
Which of the following are examples of 'larger methods'?
Pronoun.
Correct answer: Simile.
Correct answer: Juxtaposition.
Verb.
Noun.
Q3.
Which of the following words are examples of discourse markers?
Correct answer: So
Scrooge
Correct answer: Thus
And
He
Q4.
Match these layers of analysis up to their meaning for the following quote from 'A Christmas Carol': "Solitary as an oyster".
Correct Answer:Overarching impression,Scrooge is presented as an isolated character.

Scrooge is presented as an isolated character.

Correct Answer:Larger method,Dickens uses a simile to suggest that Scrooge hoards wealth.

Dickens uses a simile to suggest that Scrooge hoards wealth.

Correct Answer:Smallest method,"solitary" also shows his lack of respect for community.

"solitary" also shows his lack of respect for community.

Q5.
Which of these meanings are appropriate pieces of analysis for the quotation: "They are Man's" about Ignorance and Want in 'A Christmas Carol'?
Correct answer: Capitalisation of 'Man's' shows they belong to all of humanity.
Shows the patriarchal society because men had dominance.
Correct answer: Shows that they are a product of society.
Shows that both Ignorance and Want are male.
Correct answer: Symbolism used to show that they represent the sins of mankind.
Q6.
Match the method up to the quotations from 'A Christmas Carol'.
Correct Answer:Simile,"As solitary as an oyster."

"As solitary as an oyster."

Correct Answer:Metaphor,"A jolly... giant."

"A jolly... giant."

Correct Answer:Zoomorphism,"Scrooge growled."

"Scrooge growled."

Correct Answer:Colour symbolism,"Thin lips blue."

"Thin lips blue."

Correct Answer:Pathetic fallacy,"The fog and darkness thickened so."

"The fog and darkness thickened so."

Correct Answer:Symbolism,"Feeble fire."

"Feeble fire."