1. How to select quotes that are effective from extracts and texts?
Read the question first and annotate the question to ascertain what the key focus is
Then read the text with the key focus in mind
Underline as you read a second time any words or phrases that are linked to the key focus in the question
Use the skim reading technique to try to look for relevant pieces of information
Choose short phrases (5 – 6 words) or you can use one word examples too
Filter which of your underlined information best answers the question
Practice looking for information related to specific topics in a range of texts
If the text is hard to understand – re-read it
Avoid getting hung up on terminology or techniques – explore the text looking for information that answers the question you are being asked

2. Then up rose Mrs Cratchit, Cratchit's wife, dressed out but poorly in a twice-turned gown, but brave in ribbons, which are cheap and make a goodly show for sixpence; and she laid the cloth, assisted by Belinda Cratchit, second of her daughters, also brave in ribbons; while Master Peter Cratchit plunged a fork into the saucepan of potatoes, and getting the corners of his monstrous shirt collar (Bob's private property, conferred upon his son and heir in honour of the day) into his mouth, rejoiced to find himself so gallantly attired, and yearned to show his linen in the fashionable Parks. And now two smaller Cratchits, boy and girl, came tearing in, screaming that outside the baker's they had smelt the goose, and known it for their own; and basking in luxurious thoughts of sage and onion, these young Cratchits danced about the table, and exalted Master Peter Cratchit to the skies, while he (not proud, although his collars nearly choked him) blew the fire, until the slow potatoes bubbling up, knocked loudly at the saucepan-lid to be let out and peeled. "What has ever got your precious father then?" said Mrs Cratchit. "And your brother, Tiny Tim; And Martha warn't as late last Christmas Day by half-an-hour." "Here's Martha, mother," said a girl, appearing as she spoke. "Here's Martha, mother!" cried the two young Cratchits. "Hurrah! There's such a goose, Martha!" "Why, bless your heart alive, my dear, how late you are!" said Mrs Cratchit, kissing her a dozen times, and taking off her shawl and bonnet for her with officious zeal. "We'd a deal of work to finish up last night," replied the girl, "and had to clear away this morning, mother." "Well. Never mind so long as you are come," said Mrs Cratchit. "Sit ye down before the fire, my dear, and have a warm, Lord bless ye."
Starting with this extract, how does Dickens present the importance of family?
Write about:
How Dickens presents family in this extract
How Dickens presents family in the novel as a whole.
[30 marks]
Multiple quotations that would be suitable to explore the relevance of family have been selected and put into red bold.
I will explain the reason for selecting the different family related quotes
As I selected the quotes I was thinking:
What words show something about family?
What prior knowledge I have of the Cratchit family
Their poverty and how this was shown
Their kindness towards each other

3. Only analyse 5 – 6 in my extract focus rather than all 12
twice-turned gown, but brave in ribbons – shows poverty but pride as a family as she has dressed up for Christmas day (even though her dress has been mended more than once) she adorns it with ribbons, which are cheap and show she wants to look nice and feel special for the day
second of her daughters, also brave in ribbons – further example of pride as she wants her daughter to look and feel good on Christmas Day. Also, large family as she is the second of her daughters.
Master Peter Cratchit – title shows they are proud of their eldest son and reflects that it is a large family again.
in honour of the day – Peter is proud to be wearing a hand me down shirt from his father as it makes him feel more like a man of the house, showing pride at being part of the family
boy and girl, - the little Cratchit’s shows all are together for the festivities and the hustle and bustle surrounding them shows a typical large happy family. Repetition of the number of children shows a happy, healthy loving relationship between Bob and his wife too.
outside the baker's they had smelt the goose – even though they can’t afford to cook their own goose and have to take it to the baker’s the family are all excited at the prospect of the main part of their lunch, showing that they ignore the smallness and meagre size of it, instead rejoicing in being all together
"What has ever got your precious father then?" – the adjective suggests love, care and the use of the rhetorical questions shows she is slightly worried or keen for Bob and Tiny Tim to return from the church and for them all to be together as a family
"Hurrah! There's such a goose, Martha!" - the little Cratchit’s immediately start chattering and exclaiming to Martha their old sister showing a close bond and respect – the exclamatory “Hurrah!” shows their joy at being with their older sister, who normally would be working at the milliners.
"Why, bless your heart alive, my dear, how late you are! – Mrs Cratchit fusses around Martha when she arrives and is effusive in her response to her using terms of endearment towards her daughter to show her love
kissing her a dozen times – again this verb shows the love she proffers on Martha as soon as she arrives
officious zeal. – Mrs Cratchit continues to fuss over Martha and wants her to be relaxed and comfortable
"Sit ye down before the fire, my dear, and have a warm, Lord bless ye." - shows sympathy to Martha as she has just revealed how hard she has to work
I have selected 12 quotes and explored them to show why I selected them and how they link to family.
If I were analysing this extract and then analysing the whole play as well I would:
inter-link quotes to show how certain details like the large family is highlighted by Dickens
Only analyse 5 – 6 in my extract focus rather than all 12
Select the quotes that show slightly different things – e.g. dialogue, poverty, happiness etc.
Select the quotes that I think are most important in showing the importance of family
Inter-linked quotes = 2 & 3 & 5 – large family
1 & 2 = poverty
6 & 8 = poverty – happiness & excitement
9 & 10 & 11 & 12 – joy, love and contentment