Introductions and Conclusions: writing a successful Shakespeare essay in Year 11

This lesson and resources draw on the AQA GCSE mark scheme but could be adapted for any board. The presentation gives you the full lesson; the first word attachment contains the sample intros and concls, whilst the second is the answer sheet with the bands and marks awarded.

Lesson Plan below:

STARTER: INDIVIDUAL - Pupils note down what they think makes a good introduction and conclusion. Class list of features created from feedback.

TASK 1: GROUP - Pupils divide into four groups and each is given a different pair of introductions and conclusions from Band 4 and Band 5 exemplar essays. These are differentiated according to ability, with more complex writing provided to stretch those pupils already working within these bands. Pupils analyse and annotate the examples using the class list of features, as well as the AQA mark scheme from the previous lesson.

TASK 2: GROUP - Market-place activity: one pupil remains with their example whilst the rest of the group “visit” another example and listen to the leader’s response to it.

TASK 3: WHOLE-CLASS - Q and A so that responses can be added to the class list of what makes a good introduction and conclusion.

TASK 4: INDIVIDUAL – Using the class list and prior learning from the market-place activity, pupils start work on their own introduction for any given essay.

PLENARY: Peer-marking: pupils swap their introduction with a partner who assesses it using the class list of what makes a strong introduction as well as the AQA mark scheme.