AN INSPECTOR CALLS
A Webquest for Year 10 Literature
Created by Mrs Chong
Introduction
The play An Inspector Calls by J.B.Priestley has been studied by thousands of literature
students the world over. It has been enjoyed and discussed by all who have read it or seen it
on stage.
You are a modern day journalist who works for a literary magazine. You have just been
given an assignment by your editor to verify a claim by another literary magazine that J.B.
Priestley DID NOT write the play An Inspector Calls.
The Task
You will need to disprove the claim that J.B. Priestley was not the writer of An Inspector Calls
in the form of an article that will be published in your magazine.
Your article has to state your opinion clearly with supporting evidence taken from Priestley’s
life (time line), beliefs and the society in which he lived. As a result of your article the other
literary magazine which had published the contradictory article will retract their claim and
print an apology to the world.
The Process
Step 1:
Read through the play An Inspector Calls and do some research to find out about the themes
of the play.
Step 2:
Carry out your research on Priestley and look at the time line of his life, the society in which
he lived, his political beliefs and writings.
Use the links provided at the end of this document. You may use other resources to support
your ideas.
Step 3:
Write your article which your editor will publish in the magazine if he approves of it.
Your article must:
 be type-written in Arial/Times New Roman font size 12
 have a heading with your name as the writer
 be between one to two pages in length (maximum 2 pages)
 give the purpose of your article in the first paragraph. The following paragraphs
should have your opinion/ideas based on your research.
 be written to persuade your readers.
 be submitted to your editor (teacher) upon your return to work (school).
You may include suitable pictures to enhance your article.
Evaluation
Your article will be checked for the following:
 how well you have used your research to support your argument
 the accuracy of the language used
Conclusion
You will have learned much about Priestley and his play by the end of your webquest. This
means that you will be ready to discuss the play in depth, and with a fuller appreciation of
the intentions of Priestley.
Credits & References
http://www.jbpriestley.co.uk
http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/J_B_Priestley.aspx
http://www.slideshare.net/numan99/an-inspector-calls-character-and-theme-12140970
http://www.jbpriestleysociety.com/for-students-and-teachers/
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Whats-on-leisure/Interviews/JB-Priestleys-son-on-AnInspector-Calls-10102011.htm
https://sites.google.com/site/thesiriglish/an-inspector-calls-themes-context