How to use DocsPlus in a model lesson: English Literature
Table of contents
Introduction
In secondary school English Literature lessons, students are often expected to read, analyse, and write critically about complex texts. From Shakespeare’s Macbeth to modern works like An Inspector Calls, students encounter sophisticated language, intricate themes, and multifaceted characters. These can present challenges, particularly for students with learning difficulties or those who struggle with academic language. DocsPlus is a powerful tool that can support all learners in overcoming these barriers and enhancing their reading and writing abilities.
In this post, we’ll explore how DocsPlus can be used to structure the learning of a set text, from reading an extract with DocReader to writing an essay response with Wordbars.
Bridging the word gap
A major hurdle many students face in secondary school is the word gap - an academic vocabulary gap that often widens as students progress from primary to secondary education.
According to recent reports, almost half of all secondary teachers feel their students lack confidence in using general academic vocabulary. This gap can be even more pronounced when students are expected to engage with sophisticated literary analysis, including subject-specific terminology.
DocsPlus can help bridge this gap by providing students with accessible vocabulary support. Using DocsPlus’ Wordbars, students can instantly access key literary terms, critical vocabulary, and phrases they need to complete their assignments.
These vocabulary banks can be customised to fit specific lesson goals, whether that’s analysing a character, identifying themes, or using literary devices. By offering targeted vocabulary support, DocsPlus empowers students to focus on their analysis and writing, rather than struggling to recall the right words.
How to use DocsPlus in a model lesson
Text analysis
A key component of English Literature lessons is text analysis. Whether reading a passage from Macbeth or Romeo and Juliet, students must be able to identify themes, character traits, literary devices, and context. DocReader, a feature in DocsPlus, allows students to read texts independently. DocReader's text-to-speech reads extracts aloud. Students can select where DocReader reads from and how quickly. This helps struggling readers, including those with dyslexia, to access extracts of the set text. It also reinforces pronunciation and fluency.
Students can make notes as they read using DocReader’s dual view feature, which allows them to have a document open next to the text. This setup makes it easy to type and annotate directly alongside the text. As a result, students can easily record thoughts and analysis without having to flip between pages or applications.
Mind mapping extracts
Mind mapping is an effective strategy for helping students break down complex texts and organise their thoughts. Students can create mind maps in DocsPlus using WorkSpace, a versatile tool that offers visual mapping of ideas. Whether students are exploring characters, themes, or key language features, WorkSpace allows them to map out their thoughts clearly.
In addition to text and images, WorkSpace includes Voice Notes. Students can record their thoughts and reflections making it ideal for those who are better at expressing their initial ideas verbally. Once students have organised their ideas, they can send the mind map (along with any Voice Notes) directly to their Document. This provides a valuable reference point when writing their paragraph responses, ensuring their analysis is thorough and well-supported.
Writing a paragraph response
Once students have analysed an extract and created a WorkSpace, they can begin drafting their paragraph responses. This is where Wordbars comes into play. Wordbars are customisable banks of words and phrases. They help students structure their writing and ensure they’re using the correct literary terminology.
When writing their paragraph responses, students can use the built-in support features in DocsPlus.
- The spell checker automatically highlights spelling errors and offers corrections.
- The predictor suggests words and phrases to help students expand on their ideas.
- Text-to-speech feedback reads back their writing, allowing students to listen for clarity, flow, and coherence.
These tools help students refine their writing and make sure their paragraph responses are well-structured and grammatically accurate.
Set text LearningGrids resources
Macbeth
Wordbars:
When studying Macbeth, students often need help understanding the play’s complex themes, such as ambition, supernatural, and violence. DocsPlus’ Wordbars can provide students with vocabulary banks tailored to these themes, including words like “ambition,” “order,” and "chaos." These Wordbars help students ensure their writing uses the correct academic terminology, allowing them to craft a structured analysis. For example, when analysing the character of Macbeth, students can use the Wordbar to incorporate words like “tragedy” and “corruption” as they explore his rise to power and ultimate downfall.
WorkSpace:
In WorkSpace, students can create mind maps to track the development of key themes and characters in Macbeth. For example, students could map out Macbeth’s ambition, noting how it evolves throughout the play and connects to other characters like Lady Macbeth. They can also use WorkSpace to record Voice Notes explaining their thoughts on the corrupting influence of ambition or how the supernatural (e.g., the witches’ prophecies) influences Macbeth’s actions. These ideas can be saved and sent directly to their document as reference points while writing their paragraph response on the theme of ambition in the play.
Romeo and Juliet
Wordbars:
Romeo and Juliet presents rich themes of love, fate, and family conflict. DocsPlus’ Wordbars can provide students with themed vocabulary to help them explore these concepts in their writing. For instance, students could use a Wordbar with terms like “love" and "fate" when analysing the relationship between Romeo and Juliet. By using these words, students can create more precise, literary responses when discussing how the lovers' relationship defies their family loyalties and how fate ultimately determines their tragic end.
WorkSpace:
In WorkSpace, students can use mind maps to track the key moments and themes in Romeo and Juliet. This could include the progression of love between the two main characters. Students could create a mind map that analyses Romeo's personality, actions and quotations. By using multiple tabs in WorkSpace, students could also track these across various scenes in the play. Voice Notes could be used to discuss how the feud between the Capulets and Montagues influences the fate of Romeo and Juliet. Then the Voice Notes can be used as a reference when writing their paragraph responses.
An Inspector Calls
Wordbars:
An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley explores themes of social responsibility, class, and generational conflict. DocsPlus’ Wordbars for this text could cover themes like “social responsibility,” “gender,” and “class system." For example, when writing about Mr. Birling, students can use the Wordbar to include terms like “capitalist” and “self-important.” Such vocabulary is key to understanding his role in the play’s moral message. Using these targeted terms, students can write a critical response that explores the text's social critique.
WorkSpace:
In WorkSpace, students could create mind maps to visually connect the various characters and their views on social responsibility. For instance, they could map how the younger generation (e.g., Sheila and Eric) contrasts with the older generation (e.g., Mr. and Mrs. Birling) in their attitudes toward responsibility and class. Voice Notes could be used in WorkSpace to capture students’ initial reflections on how Priestley’s use of the Inspector as a moral voice impacts the play's message. These notes, along with their mind map, can help students structure their paragraph responses about generational conflict and social responsibility.
A Christmas Carol
Wordbars:
In A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens examines themes of redemption, charity, and poverty. DocsPlus’ Wordbars can provide students with relevant vocabulary to analyse these themes, such as “transformation” and “philanthropy." This can help students structure a response around Scrooge’s transformation from miserly to generous.
WorkSpace:
Students can use WorkSpace to explore the transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge. They can create mind maps that track his journey from a man of greed to generosity. For example, students could map out Scrooge’s interactions with each of the ghosts, noting how they influence his character change. WorkSpace also allows students space to reflect on how the ghosts symbolise different aspects of society and moral lessons. These notes can be easily transferred into their writing, helping them evidence their analysis of Scrooge’s redemption.
Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
Wordbars:
In Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Robert Louis Stevenson explores the duality of human nature and the struggle between good and evil. DocsPlus’ Wordbars for this novel might include words such as “duality,” “moral conflict,” “repression,” and “transformation.” When analysing the character of Dr. Jekyll, students can select vocabulary from a Wordbar to help build their response.
WorkSpace:
In WorkSpace, students can create mind maps to track the changes in Dr. Jekyll’s character and the emergence of Mr. Hyde. For example, students could create a visual representation of how they evolve and interact with one another throughout the novel. Students could also use WorkSpace to reflect on Stevenson’s use of social context (e.g., Victorian London, Victorian Society, Religion, and Science and Medicine). These plans can later be used in their writing to analyse the theme of duality in the text.
Collecting evidence and formative assessment
DocsPlus’ Analytics feature is a powerful tool for collecting writing evidence, tracking progress, and supporting formative assessment in English lessons. It provides detailed insights into students’ writing which helps teachers monitor small steps of learning. This includes improvements in sentence structure, vocabulary use, and fluency over time.
Analytics also tracks which Wordbars students have used, allowing teachers to see how often they are referring to key vocabulary and whether they are engaging with subject-specific terminology. Additionally, it identifies any copied and pasted text, helping teachers assess originality.
Another key benefit of Analytics is its ability to highlight spelling patterns and misconceptions, enabling teachers to quickly identify common errors. As a result, they can create targeted spelling lists or starter activities that address individual student needs. It also records how long students take to complete their writing, providing useful insights into their working speed and stamina. This data-driven approach ensures that feedback is specific and meaningful, helping students develop their writing skills with personalised support.
By using Analytics as a formative assessment tool, teachers can make informed decisions about next steps in learning, provide timely interventions, and ensure students are making steady progress in their English studies.
Summary
By integrating DocsPlus into English Literature lessons, teachers can provide a series of scaffolded resources. As a result, all students can access the text, develop their analytical writing skills and express their ideas with clarity. Whether exploring the downfall of Macbeth, the generational conflict in An Inspector Calls, or the character transformation of Scrooge, DocsPlus equips learners with the tools they need to succeed.
With hundreds of free, ready-made resources available on LearningGrids, you can easily implement DocsPlus to provide accessible and engaging lesson resources. If you'd like to try incorporating DocsPlus into your English Literature lessons, our team are here to help!
Further information and resources
- ✍️ Explore more resources for set texts on LearningGrids
- 📖 Read related DocsPlus blog posts
