Using punctuation in poetry

English

In 'Poetry about Place and Home', pupils create their own poetry to explore their relationship with their home. In 'Single Poet Study: Maya Angelou', pupils analyse the poetry of Angelou, exploring how she uses her work to describe relationships between people and places.

In 'Poetry of Place', pupils explore the language, form and structure of poetry written about place. In 'Poetry of Place and Home', pupils apply these analytical skills to more complex poems and write their own poetry about home.

In this unit, pupils read and respond to poems that explore the links between place and identity. They start by exploring a selection of poems including Grace Nichol's 'Island Man' and Lemn Sissay's 'Anthem of the North'. They then write and perform their own poems about place and home.

Poetry about place and home

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

it lets the reader know where to pause for meaning, emphasis or dramatic effect

it elicits an emotional reaction in the reader

Why is punctuation particularly important in poetry?

adds emphasis to the words/phrases immediately around it

My mother always told me: “Home is a feeling".

Home is my favourite place: it holds my happiest memories.

Home has everything I need: comfort, family and peace.

Match the sentences to the different purposes for the colon.

it creates a fast pace and can build suspense

it makes the reader reflect on their actions

the importance of each family member to the writer.

that the writer isn't close to her family.

"Mum. Jake. Mary. Me." The caesura here could reflect ...

Match the punctuation type to its purpose.

elicit an emotional reaction from readers

What is the primary purpose of punctuation?

'Home isn't just a place: it's a feeling of safety.'

'Home isn't just a: place it's a feeling of safety.'

'Home isn't just a place it's a feeling of: safety.'

Where could a colon go in the following sentence: 'Home isn't just a place it's a feeling of safety.'

 when lines of poetry flow onto each other, creating a fast pace

when there is a pause in the middle of a line of poetry

when there is no punctuation in a stanza whatsoever

Which sentence uses speech marks correctly?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Adult supervision recommended

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Using punctuation in poetry

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.