'Macbeth' exam question planning sheet - ambition

A planning sheet for a ‘Macbeth’ practice exam question, based on the theme of ambition with an extract from Act 1, scene 5 of the play, to help with revising for the AQA GCSE English Literature Paper 1 exam.

The planning sheet is designed to get students to consider how they are going to develop their response to answer the question fully, including an introduction, 4 analytical paragraphs, and a conclusion. The planning sheet guides them to ensure they are exploring the extract and the rest of the play, developing their analysis in each individual paragraph using the PETER paragraph structure, considering relevant contextual links they can include, and ensuring that they clearly outline and summarise their line of argument in response to the question.

Question used in this planning sheet is the following:
Read the following extract from Act 1, scene 5 of ‘Macbeth’ and then answer the question that follows.
At this point in the play, Lady Macbeth is on stage alone and is reading a letter from Macbeth telling her about the witches’ prophecies.
Starting with this extract, explain how Shakespeare presents ideas about ambition in the play.
Write about:
• How Shakespeare presents ideas about ambition in this extract
• How Shakespeare presents ideas about ambition in the play as a whole

Designed to be printed out on A4 paper then blown up and photocopied onto A3, but can be used as in A4 size if preferred. Is a Microsoft Word document so is editable if you wish to amend some details linked to your specific teaching approaches (e.g. paragraph structure). Can also be edited and re-used as a template for any other ‘Macbeth’ GCSE exam question you might wish to use.

Please note: the images of the planning sheet shown in the preview pictures show it to be smaller than it actually is in the Word Document as the image had to be reduced in size to fit upload photo template. The planning sheet in the Word Document uploaded is 1 full page in size.