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A Christmas Carol

Year group: Year 10 and Year 11

When taught: Year 10 Winter HT2. Revision will also take place throughout Year 11

What are we learning?

  • Students will complete a chronological study of ‘A Christmas Carol’ exploring the key characters, themes and events presented by Dickens.
  • Students will learn how to analyse the language, structure and form of this particular text.
  • We will also look at the context surrounding the creation of ‘A Christmas Carol’, looking at the deeper allegorical message within its pages.

Why is this important to know?

  • The study enhances children’s appreciation for 19th century Literature – a complex but language rich form.
  • After this study, students will be able to construct a clear and well evidenced essay.
  • It is important that students are able to interpret the written word for basic information but also interpret what is not said.
  • Fundamentally, analysis asks students to think ‘WHY?’.

Where does this link into our past and future learning?

  • This links to previous Year 9 study of ‘The Woman in Black’ which is another key example of Gothic 19th century Literature.
  • Students have also learnt the skill of identifying language and structural features in a text, analysing these features in detail.

How will we be assessed on this topic?

  • Students will be given an extract from ‘A Christmas Carol’ and will be asked to analyse the presentation of a theme or character within this extract.
  • Students will also have to use their knowledge of the wider text to support their argument.

What makes a strong piece of work in this topic? What are teachers hoping to see?

  • To be successful, you must use quotations from the extract and from the novel as a whole.
  • A strong response will include detail and development. Can students think of a number of interpretations and inferences surrounding the writers’ choices?
  • Very successful students will also consider the structure and form of the text, considering its didactic message.

What can I try if I want to stretch and challenge myself on this topic?

  • Start to create revision resources from the beginning of your study. Collect key quotations about character and themes as we go.
  • Whilst reading for pleasure, take an extract from your book and analyse the language and structure used by the writer. Always think, WHY? This will have a positive effect on your analysis in class.

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