a christmas carol practice essays

A Christmas Carol

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Discussion/Analysis Prompt

Essay Questions

Exam Questions

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Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

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Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serves as examples and support.

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1. In literature, an allegory is a work that can be understood on many levels; characters often symbolize ideas and contain a clear moral lesson.

• Reflect on the levels of interpretation of A Christmas Carol . If viewed allegorically, what is the moral lesson Dickens proposes in the text? ( topic sentence )
• Analyze Ebeneezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim, Jacob Marley, and the three spirits as symbolic figures. What idea or quality does each character represent, and how is this demonstrated to readers? If viewed as allegorical characters, which character is conveyed most effectively and why?
• In your conclusion, evaluate the timelessness of Dickens’s message; what makes this allegory popular and lasting?

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Lesson details

Key learning points.

• Single paragraph outlines are useful for organising your ideas into a coherent structure
• Single paragraph outlines contain a topic sentence, supporting detail and a closing sentence
• The supporting details should contain quotations you will use, along with methods, key vocabulary and context
• A single paragraph outline should be planned for each section of your response (it might be more than one paragraph)
• Context should be used as evidence for your argument and not as an afterthought.

Common misconception

Students do not take the time to plan properly before writing.

Not taking the time to plan a response properly makes your argument less concise and less coherent.

Dire - If a dire warning is delivered, it is incredibly serious and urgent.

Indifferent - Someone indifferent to other people would show little concern or interest in them.

Harbinger - A harbinger is a person or thing that signals the arrival of something.

Meagre - A meagre meal would contain very little food.

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• Contains depictions of discriminatory behaviour.
• Contains subject matter which individuals may find upsetting.

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Adult supervision suggested.

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A Christmas Carol

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Books — A Christmas Carol

Essays on A Christmas Carol

Prompt examples for "a christmas carol" essays, redemption and transformation.

Discuss the theme of redemption and transformation in "A Christmas Carol." How does Ebenezer Scrooge's journey from a miserly and cold-hearted man to a generous and compassionate one illustrate the possibility of change and personal growth?

The Impact of the Ghosts

Analyze the roles and symbolism of the three spirits—Past, Present, and Future—in the novella. How do they influence Scrooge's understanding of his own life and the consequences of his actions? Discuss the lessons imparted by each ghost.

Social Critique and Poverty

Examine Charles Dickens' critique of social inequality and poverty in Victorian England. How does the novella shed light on the hardships faced by the poor and the indifference of the wealthy? Discuss the contrast between Scrooge's wealth and the Cratchit family's poverty.

The Symbolism of Christmas

Discuss the symbolism of Christmas in the novella. How does the holiday represent themes of joy, love, and goodwill, and how is it contrasted with Scrooge's initial disdain for it? Analyze the significance of the Cratchits' celebration.

Scrooge's Character Development

Analyze the growth and development of Ebenezer Scrooge as a character. How do his experiences with the spirits and the visions of his past, present, and future shape his personality and actions? Discuss the factors that lead to his transformation.

The Role of Tiny Tim

Explore the significance of the character Tiny Tim in the novella. How does his vulnerability and need for assistance highlight the importance of compassion and social responsibility? Discuss the impact of Tiny Tim on Scrooge's transformation.

Hook Examples for "A Christmas Carol" Essays

Anecdotal hook.

"As I delved into the heartwarming tale of Scrooge's redemption and transformation, I couldn't help but reflect on the timeless message of generosity, compassion, and the power of second chances."

Rhetorical Question Hook

"What does it take for a miserly old man to undergo a profound change of heart and rediscover the true spirit of Christmas? Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol' invites us to explore themes of redemption and the human capacity for change."

Startling Quote Hook

"'I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year.' Ebenezer Scrooge's vow serves as a poignant reminder of the novella's enduring message of goodwill and transformation."

Historical Hook

"Set in Victorian London during a period of social and economic upheaval, 'A Christmas Carol' provides a window into the challenges and inequalities of the time. Exploring this historical context adds depth to the narrative."

Narrative Hook

"Join Ebenezer Scrooge on his extraordinary journey through the past, present, and future as he confronts his own life choices. This narrative captures the essence of Charles Dickens' storytelling."

Character Transformation Hook

"Witness Scrooge's remarkable transformation from a cold-hearted miser to a benevolent soul. Analyzing the character arc adds depth to the narrative."

Moral Lessons Hook

"What moral lessons can we learn from the experiences of Scrooge and the spirits? Exploring the ethical dimensions of the novella prompts reflection on our own values and actions."

Christmas Spirit Hook

"How does 'A Christmas Carol' capture the essence of the holiday spirit? Delving into the themes of generosity, family, and community sheds light on the novella's enduring appeal."

Social Commentary Hook

"In a time marked by social disparities, 'A Christmas Carol' serves as a commentary on the plight of the poor and the responsibilities of the wealthy. Examining the novella's social impact offers valuable insights."

Dickens' Literary Legacy Hook

"How does 'A Christmas Carol' contribute to Charles Dickens' literary legacy? Exploring the novella's place in Dickens' body of work reveals its enduring significance in literature and culture."

Analysis of Scrooge's Transformation in a Christmas Carol

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How Scrooge Represents Hyprocisy in "A Christmas Carol"

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The Ghosts of Christmas as Illustrated in "A Christmas Carol"

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The Episodes of Christmas as Highlighted in "A Christmas Carol"

Exploring dickens’ views on money in a christmas carol, a study of the personality of scrooge in charles dickens’ book the christmas carol, how religion and secular practises became part of christmas, an analysis of the use of tone in a christmas carol, a book by charles dickens, a detailed look at the role of emotions in "a christmas carol", the perfect christmas from the perspective of "a christmas carol", charles dickens' terrible childhood, scrooge's transformation in "a christmas carol", generosity theme in "a christmas carol", theme of redemption in "a christmas carol", how does scrooge change throughout the novel, how is fred presented in "a christmas carol", comparing and contrasting "a christmas carol" book and movie adaptation, a christmas carol: themes, redemption, and dickens's craft, future ghost in a christmas carol.

19 December 1843, Charles Dickens

A Christmas Carol. In Prose. Being a Ghost Story of Christmas

Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim, Jacob Marley, The Ghost of Christmas Past, The Ghost of Christmas Present, The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, Fred, Fezziwig, Belle, Peter Cratchit, Martha Cratchit, Fan, The Portly Gentlemen, Mrs. Cratchit

1. Jaffe, A. (1994). Spectacular sympathy: visuality and ideology in Dickens's A Christmas Carol. PMLA, 109(2), 254-265. (https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/pmla/article/abs/spectacular-sympathy-visuality-and-ideology-in-dickenss-a-christmas-carol/5B6363CBCC63BF021719079F3B1269BB) 2. Davis, P. (1990). Literary History: Retelling A Christmas Carol: Text and Culture-Text. The American Scholar, 59(1), 109-115. (https://www.jstor.org/stable/41211762) 3. Butterworth, R. D. (1993). 'A Christmas Carol'and the masque. Studies in short fiction, 30(1), 63-70. (https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA14085617&sid=googleScholar&v=2.1&it=r&linkaccess=abs&issn=00393789&p=AONE&sw=w&userGroupName=anon%7E3330b394) 4. Rossetti, C. G. (1887). A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Hobby horse, x-xi. (https://www.proquest.com/openview/b179c1c578656647/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=14714) 5. Ferrari, A., Signoroni, S., Silva, M., Gaggiotti, P., Veneroni, L., Magni, C., ... & Massimino, M. (2017). “Christmas Balls”: a Christmas carol by the adolescent cancer patients of the Milan Youth Project. (https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.5301/tj.5000597?journalCode=tmja) 6. Hancock, P. (2016). A Christmas carol: A reflection on organization, society, and the socioeconomics of the festive season. (https://journals.aom.org/doi/abs/10.5465/amr.2016.0038?journalCode=amr) 7. Hancher, M. (2008). Grafting A Christmas Carol. SEL Studies in English Literature 1500-1900, 48(4), 813-827. (https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/article/254074/summary) 8. Burleson, D. R. (1992). Dickens's a Christmas Carol. The Explicator, 50(4), 211-212. (https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00144940.1992.9935321?journalCode=vexp20) 9. Preston, S. (2012). Existential Scrooge: A Kierkegaardian Reading of A Christmas Carol. Literature Compass, 9(11), 743-751. (https://compass.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1741-4113.2012.00909.x)

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How to Write a Grade 9 A Christmas Carol Essay ( WJEC Eduqas GCSE English Literature )

Revision note.

How to Write a Grade 9 A Christmas Carol Essay

Paper 2 of your Eduqas GCSE exam contains questions about a modern prose or drama text, a 19th-century prose work and unseen poetry. For Section B, you will write an essay about the 19th-century text you have studied. You will have an hour to write an essay based on the extract printed on your exam paper.

Your Eduqas GCSE exam is “closed text”, so you won’t have your copy of A Christmas Carol with you in the exam. That means you need to know the novella really well and have revised a wide range of quotes and references to use in your essay. You can find some great suggestions for useful quotations on our A Christmas Carol Quotations and Analysis page . The Eduqas examiners want to see a range of evidence from right across A Christmas Carol. So, for a Grade 9 essay, read the extract carefully to make sure you understand how it illustrates the aspect of A Christmas Carol that the question is asking about. Then, use the evidence in the extract as a starting point for your argument, ensuring that you link your analysis with the rest of the novella.

How Do I Start My A Christmas Carol Essay?

To achieve the highest marks, your most effective strategy is to plan your essay first: spend as long as 15 minutes on this, and do not be tempted to start writing yet. A good plan will give you a “map” for your essay, so you can focus confidently on your argument and the evidence you are going to use. For a Grade 9 answer, Eduqas examiners look for essays that “focus on the question”, have a “clear line of argument” and sustain a good “analytical style”. Here is a breakdown of what those phrases mean and how you can achieve them:

Making a strong plan before you start writing your essay means you can be sure you meet all these requirements. 

Here’s an idea of what your plan could look like:

How Do I Structure My A Christmas Carol Essay?

Annotate the extract while you are planning your answer to link the specific evidence in the extract with other events, characters or contexts from the wider text. Remember, Eduqas examiners award the highest marks to students who produce a “clear line of argument” in their essays. Making a plan is the best way to ensure your argument is logical and consistent. A Grade 9 essay will always include an introduction , clearly focused paragraphs and a conclusion . Take another look at the example plan. It includes a “ thesis statement ” and “ topic sentences ” at the beginning of each paragraph. Here’s how to include these in your essay:

Top tips for structuring your A Christmas Carol essay

Always set out a clear thesis statement in your introduction

Begin every paragraph with a topic sentence that:

indicates the focus of the paragraph clearly

links directly with your thesis statement

Set out your argument in clear paragraphs that:

only contain evidence (short quotations or textual references are best) that supports the statement you make in your topic sentence

link back to the question in the final sentence

Finish your essay with a short conclusion that sums up how you have proved your thesis statement

How Much Should I Write?

Your introduction and conclusion should be short — just two or three sentences each. Aim to develop your argument in a maximum of three paragraphs of evidence and analysis. Longer essays often lose their focus and wander away from the question. A good rule is: less is more : clear, focused writing produces a more effective, coherent essay.

Nothing beats a really thorough knowledge of the whole text, but you may have learnt specific arguments about A Christmas Carol that address particular themes or subjects.

However, Eduqas examiners like to see creative responses, as long as they maintain a good focus on the subject of the question and contain a clear argument. The extract question is designed to enable students to explore different interpretations and contexts, so a “one size fits all” approach may not be the most effective one.  For an example of how to include elements like context, analysis of techniques and different interpretations in your essay, take a look at our model answer for the Eduqas Grade 9 A Christmas Carol essay question .

Grade 9 Essay Tips for A Christmas Carol

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Author: Jen Davis

Jen studied a BA(Hons) in English Literature at the University of Chester, followed by an MA in 19th Century Literature and Culture. She taught English Literature at university for nine years as a visiting lecturer and doctoral researcher, and gained a Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education in 2014. She now works as a freelance writer, editor and tutor. While teaching English Literature at university, Jen also specialised in study skills development, with a focus on essay and examination writing.