despairing, lacking optimism or positive expectations

unanswered, not reciprocated or one-sided

something or someone characterised by a deep sadness within

Understanding the poem ‘Neutral Tones’ by Thomas Hardy

English

Understanding 'Winter Swans' by Owen Sheers

Analysing 'Winter Swans' by Owen Sheers

Analysing the poem ‘Neutral Tones’ by Thomas Hardy

Understanding the poem 'When We Two Parted' by Lord Byron

Analysing the poem  ‘When We Two Parted’ by Lord Byron

Identifying how poets convey heartbreak in natural settings

Analysing how poets convey heartbreak in natural settings

Understanding the poem ‘Sonnet 29’ by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Analysing the poem 'Sonnet 29' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Understanding the poem ‘Love’s Philosophy’ by Percy Bysshe Shelley

Analysing the poem 'Love's Philosophy' by Percy Bysshe Shelley

Understanding the poem ‘Letters from Yorkshire’ by Maura Dooley

Analysing the poem ‘Letters from Yorkshire’ by Maura Dooley

Identifying how poets reflect desire in natural settings

Analysing how poets reflect desire in natural settings

Understanding the poem ‘Eden Rock’ by Charles Causley

Analysing the poem 'Eden Rock' by Charles Causley

Understanding the poem 'Climbing My Grandfather' by Andrew Waterhouse

Analysing the poem 'Climbing My Grandfather' by Andrew Waterhouse

Understanding the poem 'Before You Were Mine' by Carol Ann Duffy

Analysing the poem 'Before You Were Mine' by Carol Ann Duffy

Identifying how poets reminisce and remember loved ones

Analysing how poets reminisce and remember loved ones

Understanding the poem ‘Mother, any distance’ by Simon Armitage

Analysing the poem 'Mother, any distance' by Simon Armitage

Developing interpretations of ‘Mother, any distance’ with Simon Armitage

Understanding the poem ‘Walking Away’ by Cecil Day-Lewis

Analysing the poem ‘Walking Away’ by Cecil Day-Lewis

Understanding the poem 'Follower' by Seamus Heaney

Analysing the poem 'Follower' by Seamus Heaney

Identifying how poets present relationships that change over time

Analysing how poets present relationships that change over time

In 'AQA Love and Relationships Poetry', pupils compared the language, form and structure of a variety of poems connected by the themes of love and relationships. In 'AQA Love and Relationships Poetry continued', pupils work on making more nuanced comparisons between poems.

In 'Single Poet Study: Maya Angelou', pupils explore how Angelou uses her poetry to present strong relationships to people and place. In 'AQA Love and Relationships Poetry', pupils analyse how a variety of different relationships have been presented across time.

In this unit, pupis explore 12 of the 15 poems from the 'Love and Relationships' anthology. Pupils complete two lessons about each poem: one on understanding and one on analysis. Pupils study the poems in four groups, and they pause after each group to compare how those poems present common themes.

Poetry anthology: first study

foreboding; suggests something bad will happen.

a language technique which combines two opposite ideas.

vivid descriptions of colours to evoke emotions or ideas.

activities or relationships outside the bounds of marriage or a committed partnership

feeling sadness or grief after losing someone or something

feeling intense resentment or hostility towards someone or something

intense mental suffering or emotional distress

substituting a mild or indirect expression for something that is considered rude or taboo

repetition of hissing or hushing sounds, often involving the letters ‘s’, ‘sh’, or ‘z’

repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or lines of poetry

emotional suffering, typically triggered by loss, death, or a significant disappointment

causing a strong emotional or physical response.

giving up something valuable for a higher purpose, often involving personal loss or hardship.

lacks clarity, not easily understood; kept from sight, concealed.

dishonest behaviour, typically for personal gain or to influence others.

the process of getting to know a romantic partner before establishing a romantic relationship.

commands or requests that begin with a verb, giving direct instructions

restoring energy, vitality, or youthfulness; refreshing and invigorating

descriptions that use elements from nature, like landscapes, weather, or living things

linked to the cultural movement in the 18th century that emphasised individualism, emotion and nature

the study of fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, ethics, and reality

generating disagreement or dispute, often due to conflicting opinions or sensitive topics

not reciprocated or returned, typically referring to love or affection

supremely excellent, like God (or the work of God)

asked for effect or to provoke thought, not requiring an answer

relating to the senses, especially pleasure derived from physical gratification or aesthetic experiences

symbols or representations evoking spiritual themes

poetic rhythm with stressed syllables followed by unstressed syllables, like ‘footsteps’ or ‘poetry'

emotional attachment or value often associated with memories.

having an unclear meaning or one that has multiple interpretations.

intimate friendship devoid of romantic or sexual involvement.

beliefs governing right and wrong conduct, guiding ethical decisions and actions.

sharing similar qualities, interests, or origins.

stanza of three lines in a poem, often forming a complete thought or unit

repetition of initial sounds in close succession for poetic or rhetorical effect

portraying something in an idealised or overly sentimental manner, often distorting reality

insufficient or lacking in quality, quantity or capability to meet requirements or expectations

brief or transient, passing quickly, often used to describe moments or experiences

intense longing or craving for something or someone

unclear or open to interpretation; having more than one possible meaning

deep longing, often associated with emotional desire

characterised by rational thinking and knowledge

desires, goals, or expectations not met; lacking satisfaction

subtly different aspects or details, often with underlying complexity

uncertain or provisional, subject to change or adjustment

comprehensive, thorough, including many specifics or particulars

part of a sentence that begins with a verb, used to add extra detail or description

strong feeling of longing or wanting, often for something or someone specific

sentimental longing for the past, often idealised

meaning is unclear or open to interpretation

causing fear or apprehension, often due to perceived power or authority

lack of clarity or precision, characterised by an absence of specific details

exaggerated portrayal of someone that emphasises distinctive features or traits

characterised by a delicate, otherworldly, or heavenly quality

vivid descriptions invoking the five senses

a verb tense which shows that one thing happened before another thing

advocating for the social, political, and economic rights of women

partially based on the author's own life experiences, events, or perspectives

attractive in a mysterious or tempting way; captivating and seductive

an object surviving from a past era, often with historical, cultural, or sentimental significance

a short descriptive ‘scene’ that captures a moment without any plot or action

continuation of a sentence or phrase across line breaks, maintaining flow

pause or break within a line of poetry, often marked by punctuation

a poem that describes or responds to an image or sculpture

comfort or solace provided in a time of grief, disappointment, or distress

related to to familial bonds and relationships

recall past experiences or events with fondness or nostalgia

unclear or having multiple interpretations

words or expressions used to convey uncertainty

a vivid, often detailed, description of or response to a visual work of art

circumstances influencing the meaning or interpretation of an event, statement, or idea

theoretical or conceptual; existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence

central argument or claim supported by evidence

expressing ownership; showing a desire to control or dominate

short-lived, fleeting, lasting for a brief time

part of a sentence that adds detail but cannot stand alone

enclosed successfully within another structure

a traditional form of love poetry, famous for its strict rhythmic rules

clearly stated or expressed, without ambiguity

implied or understood though not directly expressed

a brief descriptive scene that focuses on a particular moment

representing abstract ideas, themes, or concepts through concrete objects, actions, or images

the tube connecting a baby to its mother in the womb, supplying nutrients and oxygen

expressing or influenced by tender feelings or emotions, often excessively

recalls past events or experiences,  often with nostalgia or sentimentality

feelings of doubt, uncertainty, or inadequacy about oneself or one's abilities

using descriptions of natural elements to emphasise a particular mood or emotion

contains a subject and verb, expressing a complete thought that can stand alone as a sentence

contains a subject and verb but cannot stand alone as a sentence

pattern of rhymes (similar sounds) at the end of each line in a poem

the point in a narrative where conflicts stop developing and are resolved

giving up something valuable or important for the sake of others or a greater cause

providing care, support, and encouragement to promote growth and development

absolute, not subject to any limitations or requirements

exceptional skill or ability, especially in a particular field or activity

proficiency or expertise in performing a task, often acquired through practice and experience

relating to the countryside, typically characterised by agriculture, open spaces, and a small population

a farming tool used to till the soil by cutting, lifting, and turning it

narrow grooves or trenches made in the ground, typically by a plough or cultivation

a feeling of wonder or admiration, often mixed with fear or amazement

serious and sincere in intention or effort; showing deep conviction or dedication

a pause or break within a line of poetry, often marked by punctuation

a particular interpretation or outlook on situations and events

transition to an opposite direction or outcome

suppress or suffocate; inhibit the development or expression of something

act of isolating or setting apart distinct entities

describe the key points or ideas from a text succinctly and accurately

the primary argument or central idea presented in a piece of academic writing

a sentence that introduces the main idea or theme of a paragraph, guiding its content

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Poetry anthology: first study

'Love and Relationships'

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