Romeo and Juliet (GCSE): Writing Frames and Model Essays - Students with Additional Needs

These writing frames provide structured support for GCSE, English Literature students responding to extracts from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, focusing on key themes and character dynamics. Designed with accessibility in mind, the frames encourage deeper engagement with the text while helping students articulate their thoughts clearly.

Themes and Characters Explored
Fate: Students will explore how fate influences the characters and their decisions. The writing frame guides them to analyze key quotes, such as Romeo’s reflections on fate, and encourages them to connect these thoughts to the broader implications of fate throughout the play.

Conflict: The second writing frame focuses on the intense conflicts between characters, particularly Tybalt, Mercutio, and Romeo. Students will examine the language used in the extract and how it reflects the escalating tension between the feuding families, as well as the personal conflicts that arise.

Love as a Transformative Force: The final theme centers on the transformative power of love as experienced by Romeo and Juliet. Students will analyze how their love alters their identities and decisions, and reflect on its consequences within the tragic narrative.

Structure of the Frames
Each writing frame consists of:

A GCSE, style extract and question: A question and extract is provided
An Introduction: A brief explanation of the theme, helping students to set the context for their analysis.
Extract Analysis: Prompts guiding students to examine specific lines and phrases, allowing them to explore character emotions and thematic elements.
Paragraph Development: Suggestions for developing arguments through structured paragraphs, reinforcing the importance of textual evidence and cohesive reasoning.
Conclusion: A space for summarizing insights and connecting the analysis back to the overarching themes of the play.

A model essay which uses the frames is also provided.

Along with the writing frames and model answers, there is also a summary of the play to help familiarise students with the key events!

These frames aim to foster independent thinking and enhance comprehension, making Shakespeare’s classic play more accessible and engaging for students with additional needs. By breaking down complex themes and character interactions, students can develop a more nuanced understanding of Romeo and Juliet and improve their writing skills in preparation for their GCSE English Literature assessments.