1. Effective Introductions Intermediate 2

2. Introduction Formula  1 – Title, author/poet/playwright, genre and link to the question  2 – Brief, relevant summary of the text  3 – Answer to the question  4 – Link to the theme

3. Introductions  What you need to plan and learn for each text is: a skeleton introduction a skeleton introduction Various ‘answers’ to the different questions that you may be faced with Various ‘answers’ to the different questions that you may be faced with  This means that you will be able to quickly and easily write your first paragraph with little stress or timewasting

4. William Shakespeare’s ________ play ‘Macbeth’ is one in which ________________________. After encountering three witches who prophesise that he will one day be hailed as king, the eponymous Macbeth embarks on a violent journey of ambition, regicide and increasing brutality; a journey which results in mental turmoil and his eventual death. After encountering three witches who prophesise that he will one day be hailed as king, the eponymous Macbeth embarks on a violent journey of ambition, regicide and increasing brutality; a journey which results in mental turmoil and his eventual death. ____ answer to question _______. ____ answer to question _______. _________ Shakespeare explores the theme/s of the corrupting nature of unchecked ambition and the consequences of betrayal. _________ Shakespeare explores the theme/s of the corrupting nature of unchecked ambition and the consequences of betrayal.

5. William Shakespeare’s tragic play ‘Macbeth’ is one in which there is an important relationship between Macbeth and his wife, Lady Macbeth. After encountering three witches who prophesise that he will one day be hailed as king, the eponymous Macbeth embarks on a violent journey of ambition, regicide and increasing brutality; a journey which results in mental turmoil and his eventual death. The nature of the relationship between Macbeth and his wife dramatically alters throughout the play as the balance of power between them shifts. Through his depiction of this relationship, Shakespeare explores the theme/s of the corrupting nature of unchecked ambition and the consequences of betrayal. Choose a play in which there is an important relationship between two of the main characters. Describe the nature of the relationship, and explain how it is developed throughout the play.

6. Try for these questions  Choose a play in which there is a strong female character…  Choose a play which explores a particularly violent theme…  Choose a play in which there is a pivotal scene in the development of the plot and characters…

7. ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee is a _________ novel, and one which ________________. Through the eyes of young Scout Finch, we observe the seemingly sleepy town of Maycomb, Alabama, and the events that unfold there in the 1930’s: namely, the false accusation of rape by a white girl against a black man, Tom Robinson. ____answer to question _______. _________ Lee explores the themes of prejudice and discrimination.

8. Try for these questions  Choose a play in which there is an effective portrayal of a character OR setting…  Choose a play which deals with an unpleasant aspect of human nature…  Choose a play in which a character experiences a moment of realisation…

9. Langston Hughes’ _______ poem, ‘Freedom Train’ is one which ____________________. In his poem, Hughes references the Freedom Train: a museum train displaying important historical documents pertaining to American independence and liberty which toured the states in the 1940’s. He uses the irony of such a train to explore the racism and discrimination inherent in the US at this time – the main themes of the poem – and as a metaphor for black American's struggle for civil rights. ___answer to question____.

10. Try for these questions  Choose a poem which has a striking opening…  Choose a poem which creates a particular mood or atmosphere…  Choose a poem which has an ending that you find particularly shocking or surprising…

11. Conclusions  You MUST always add a conclusion to your essays, even if you run out of time and it is merely a simple sentence:  In conclusion, throughout the novel Atticus has been effectively portrayed as an inspirational character.

12. However, for an effective conclusion…  Reference to author/playwright/poet, text and answer to question  Final evaluative comment (your personal opinion) on the character/opening/theme etc – the impact/resonance it has on the audience