‘A thesis-style introduction that demonstrates your understanding of the question can be a really helpful way of starting your answer. It shows that you are ‘in charge’ of your essay and that you know what you think. It can provide a strong foundation for the rest of the essay. Keep referring back to the introduction to create a coherent response.’ AQA examiner’s report 2022 Creating a thesis-style introduction is a challenge for many students but is essential in helping students to reach levels 4-6 in the mark scheme. I have produced a simple 3 point structure to help students quickly generate a thesis statement in timed exam conditions. There is an example of the 3 point structure being used and then students attempt to imitate the structure for 4 other exam-style questions.

A great resource to help students plan essay responses to 5 different themes in the novel.

A revision lesson on key quotations from Blood Brothers. Start by giving out the revision grid with only the quotations so students can analyse the top 6 quotations for each character. Then give out the answer sheet so students can compare their answers to the model. There is also a larger revision grid which contains quotations for each character linked to theme in case a theme question comes up.

Three writing frames to help low-ability students structure exam-style response to questions based on the themes of ambition and deception. Students are provided with a very short extract and an exam-style question. I made the extracts shorter than normal to make it more accessible for the students. The writing frame starts off each paragraph for the student. There is then space for the students to use their knowledge of the play to add further analysis of each quotation. It has been designed to fit onto A4 sheets for ease of printing. For some students it may be necessary to enlarge the sheet to A3. These resources help build student confidence and is an important step for helping them structure their answers independently. Also contains guidance on thesis-style introductions. ‘A thesis-style introduction that demonstrates your understanding of the question can be a really helpful way of starting your answer. It shows that you are ‘in charge’ of your essay and that you know what you think. It can provide a strong foundation for the rest of the essay. Keep referring back to the introduction to create a coherent response.’ AQA examiner’s report 2022 Creating a thesis-style introduction is a challenge for many students but is essential in helping students to reach levels 4-6 in the mark scheme. I have produced a simple 3 point structure to help students quickly generate a thesis statement in timed exam conditions. There is an example of the 3 point structure being used and then students attempt to imitate the structure for 4 other exam-style questions.

4 differentiated writing frames to 4 actual AQA power and conflict past exam questions. Each writing frame has 3 tiers of difficulty to allow for the fact different students in the class require different levels of support and guidance in the run up to the examinations. Tier 1: Students add the analysis of the quotations. The topic sentences and recommended quotations are already filled in for them. Tier 2: Students must pick their own 3 quotations from each poem and analyse the quotations. Tier 3: Students must pick their own topic sentences, quotations and then analsyse the quotations. The questions covered are as follows: 2021 question: Compare how poets present ideas about power and control in ‘London’ and in one other poem from ‘Power and conflict’. (30) Nov 2020 question: Compare how poets present the ways people are affected by difficult experiences in ‘Remains’ and in one other poem from ‘Power and conflict’. (30) May 2019 question: Compare how poets present the ways that people are affected by war in ‘War Photographer’ and in one other poem from ‘Power and conflict’. (30) May 2018 question: Compare how poets present ideas about power in ‘Ozymandias’ and in one other poem from ‘Power and conflict’. (30)

Newly updated 46 page revision booklet for Lord of the Flies which my best selling resources into one easy to print/download document to aid with revision. The booklet includes: Plot recap questions Cloze plot summary activity Chapter questions Storyboard plot summary Theme quotation revision cards Knowledge organisers Top 10 quotations for each character posters Blank templates to test understanding of key points High grade model responses on Ralph, Piggy, Jack and Roger Sample GCSE questions Contextual revision notes Writing frames (differentiated) Notes on topic sentences Extension links to Freudian analysis Also now includes 6 extra character pages with more detailed quotation analysis on the 5 main characters and the island setting.

3 A3 revision sheets, 1 A4 revision sheet and a set of revision cards. Sheet 1 has carefully selected key quotations for all 6 characters and carefully selected points about context for A03. Sheet 2 has quotations for 5 themes and exam questions based on each theme. Sheet 3 is a summary and brief explanation of 10 key quotations for each character. Sheet 4 contains a summary of key stage directions across the play. Sheet 1 contains suggested differentiated revision activities: Bronze: Apply a word from the word bank to each quotation. Silver: Link each quotation to a theme (age, gender, class, responsibility). Gold: Use the revision sheet to write essays on all 6 characters.

A grade 9 response exploring how Macbeth is presented in the play. Also includes a planning grid for students to follow It would comfortably fit into the top band of the mark scheme 26-30 marks due to the perceptive debate with judicious quotations and assured analysis of methods and exploration of wider ideas. Also includes a grade 8 version that does not quite meet the grade 9 requirements for a comparison. Also includes a differentiated writing frame for students working towards a grade 4 at the other end of the ability spectrum. The question is freely available here: https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/sample-papers-and-mark-schemes/2019/june/AQA-87021-QP-JUN19.PDF

I have selected 6 themes from Lord of the Flies and included 5 key quotations for the theme along with detailed analysis of each quotation that tries to both zoom in to the writer’s methods (A02) while also zooming out to discuss Golding’s wider intentions (A03). A revision tool aimed at students working towards grades 7-9.

Animal Farm one page plot summary turned into a cloze passage activity. Useful for recapping the plot to help begin revision.

A simple but effective and ready to go worksheet to promote a group activity exploring who is responsible for the death of Eva Smith. After splitting your class into 5 groups, ask students to create their argument for their character by finding further quotations to support their point and adding them to the structured grid. Students can then share their ideas in a carousel style.

This was great for teaching students how to compare two poems from the Power and Conflict section of the anthology. Students follow the detailed writing frame to complete the comparison using the prompts and structure provided. The writing frame guides students to ensure they meet the criteria for A01, A02 and A03. Also includes all lessons for teaching Poppies and Remains individually to prepare for the comparison with various resources.

A writing frame to guide students through the following exam style question: Compare the ways the poets in War Photographer and one other poem (Remains) present ideas about conflict. (30). The writing frame encourages students to make discriminating comparisons between the poems.

A storyboard to teach students the basic plot to the novel. There is also a Freytag’s pyramid activity to push the more able.

Writing frame for a podcast

Full lesson PowerPoint with 3 differentiated worksheets for exploring the 4 ghosts in A Christmas Carol. Includes carefully selected extracts and a table for students to plan their analytical responses. Also including some example high level analytical paragraphs about the 4 ghosts and how they help to transform Scrooge.