a British soldier and poet (1893-1918) best known for his poems about World War One

the tools a writer uses to create their work; language choices, setting, characterisation are all examples

a way to plan a paragraph in which you write the first and last sentence, and carefully consider the details you want to capture in the paragraph

Vivid descriptive writing using Ian Beck's ‘Propping Up The Line’ as stimulus

English

Understanding why people write about war

World War One: propaganda and trench warfare

Reading 'Propping Up the Line', a short story about World War One by Ian Beck

Analysing the presentation of the gas attack: Ian Beck's 'Propping Up the Line'

Ian Beck's ‘Propping Up The Line’: Alice’s experiences on the Home Front

The presentation of trauma in Ian Beck's short story, 'Propping Up the Line'

Symbolism and motif in Ian Beck's short story, ‘Propping Up The Line’

Using sentence structure to create rhythm in writing about World War One

Reading Katherine Mansfield’s short story, ‘The Fly’ (1922)

Katherine Mansfield's 'The Fly' (1922): exploring character foils and symbolism

Exploring the presentation of the boss in 'The Fly' by Katherine Mansfield

Debating different interpretations of Katherine Mansfield’s ‘The Fly’

Creative writing in the third person inspired by Katherine Mansfield's 'The Fly'

Skim reading and close reading: Wilfred Owen’s 1917 letter to his mother

Letter writing: planning, using Wilfred Owen’s 1917 letter as stimulus

Writing a letter as a soldier in the trenches of World War One

Improving the style of a letter: sentence structure and rhythm

Skim reading and close reading: 'Testament of Youth' by Vera Brittain

Letter writing: planning, using Vera Brittain’s ‘Testament of Youth’ as stimulus

Writing a letter from the British home front: tone, audience and purpose

Improving a letter: deliberate verbs and precise adjectives

Comparing texts about World War One using comparative topic sentences

Comparing texts about World War One in comparative analytical paragraphs

In 'A World at War: Short Stories', pupils explore the reasons for writing war literature and how it seeks to convey the suffering of soldiers and civilians, in times of conflict. In 'Power and Conflict Poetry', students explore the many types of conflict that arise through war, with themes including patriotism, propaganda, fear, guilt and duty.

In 'The Tempest', pupils are encouraged to write from the viewpoint of Caliban and Ariel, adopting character voices in creative writing. In 'A World at War', pupils emulate the writing styles of the authors that they encounter, to create an authentic voice in their writing. 

In this unit, pupils explore and compare texts written about the First World War. They first read Beck's 'Propping up the line', Mansfield's 'The Fly' and Wilfred Owen's 1917 letter home to his mum. They finally read Brittain's 'Testament of Youth', and then plan and write a comparative response.

Literary perspectives from the First World War

Depiction of war, threats of war, death or the aftermath of war.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Depiction or discussion of violence or fighting, including threats of violence or the aftermath of violence.

Depiction or discussion of serious mental health issues including eating disorders, self-harm, suicide or attempted suicide, or the aftermath of such an event.

Depiction or discussion of mental health issues

Alfred raises the washing up so it can flap in the breeze.

Alfred compares the clothes to flags, men and uniforms.

Alfred closes his eyes and listens to the noises the washing makes.

Nell sees how hard it is for her father to breathe.

Starting with the first plot point, order this short sequence from 'Propping Up The Line' in chronological order.

In 'Propping Up The Line', Alfred compares the washing on the line to the "fragments" trapped by barbed wire. What might this reveal about Alfred?

Many writers use {{}} description to convey the horrors of the front line.

Wilfred Owen was a British soldier and poet. His poem 'Mental Cases' includes the line, "{{ }} they must see these things and hear them".

Wilfred Owen was a British soldier and poet. His poem 'Mental Cases' includes the line, "their eyeballs {{ }} tormented Back into their brains".

Wilfred Owen was a British soldier and poet. His poem 'Mental Cases' includes the line, "Dawn breaks open like a wound that bleeds {{ }}".

In 'Propping Up The Line', which activity in England transports Alfred back to life in the trenches?

In 'Propping Up The Line', Alfred describes the washing on the line and compares the clothes to flags. What method does Beck use to do this?

Wilfred Owen was a British soldier and poet, best known for his poetry about World War One. Which of these poems did he write?

as a comfort to those who have lost people in war

Wilfred Owen, a British soldier and poet, was best known for his poetry about World War One. What are his poems known for?

In 'Propping Up The Line', Alfred listens to the washing in the wind and tries to catch his breath as saw what moving on the lawn?

In 'Propping Up The Line', Alfred describes the washing on the line and remembers the barbed wire of the war and the {{}} that were trapped in it.

Starter Quiz

In 'Propping Up The Line', which activity in England transports Alfred back to life in the trenches?