For your revision you should plan an essay based around each of the following questions.

Remember that you can use quotes - or even entire paragraphs - in multiple questions, so be wise when you prepare. For this exam you will NOT have an extract, but there will be two questions for you to choose between - and you should ONLY ANSWER ONE OF THEM!

For each essay, try to plan in the following way:

Write your opening paragraph

Know what each of your 2 or 3 paragraphs will be about

Revise the quotes you’ll use in them

Also, remember that there is a page on this website dedicated to each of these questions so all you really need to do is visit that page and take some notes... ain't so hard really!

Ten Key Questions:

1. How does Priestley explore the theme of social responsibility?

2. How does Priestley explore issues of social class in An Inspector Calls?

3. How and why does Sheila change in An Inspector Calls?

4. How does Priestley present the character of Arthur Birling?

5. What is the role of Mrs Birling in this play?

6. How do the characters of Gerald and Eric respond differently to the news about Eva Smith’s death?

7. What is the role of the Inspector in An Inspector Calls?

8. What role does Eva Smith play in An Inspector Calls?

9. What criticisms of society does Priestley make in An Inspector Calls?

10. To what extent can An Inspector Calls be considered a “realistic” play?

Example:

How does Priestley explore issues of social class in An Inspector Calls?

Opening Paragraph:
During the play, Priestly uses the middle-class Inspector to contrast upper-class Edwardians with their working-class counterparts. He shows that although the upper classes assume the privilege that comes with great wealth they do not accept responsibility for those less wealthy than them - though the younger generation do change. The Inspector argues that unless society learns to reconcile this issue, then it will, inevitably, face disaster.

P2: Upper class and wealth not taking responsibility:
girls of that class ... I accept no blame for it at all ... I can't accept any responsibility … public school and varsity life ... dreams of knighthood ... Gerald's treatment of Eva ... Mrs Birling not liking that Eva used her name

P3: Younger generation:
They’re not cheap labour, they’re people … Why shouldn’t they try for higher wages? We try for the highest possible prices … I’ll never, never, do it to anybody again … also mention how Gerald changed and then changed back; and how women were treated worse than men, and working class women were treated worst of all

P4: Inevitable disaster:
How the inspector is middle class and represents Eva ... their hopes and fears, their suffering and chance of happiness, all intertwined with our lives ... the time will come when men will not learn that lesson then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish ... end with how the play is becoming important all over again

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Notes:

You should be able to tell from looking at this structure that there are LOADS of different ways that I could have written this essay, and I could have used any one of dozens of different quotes. Also, remember that the key is going to be about using both AO1 (plot) and AO2 (quotes) for each paragraph, so you should note down a mixture of key quotes and key moments.

Use the time before the exam to plan essays that feel like they're your own - have an opinion - and then select the quotes, themes and contextual factors that appeal to you the most. This will help you remember them on the day, and it will help reduce the number of different quotes and themes that you'll need to remember.

Also, since you can't take any of this planning into the exam hall, your challenge is to understand the argument. This is easier than it sounds, and if you do the planning and - ideally - make a poster of the plan, or revision cards for it, you'll be in a really strong position on the day of the exam.