a detailed comparison which develops one idea over a number of lines, paragraphs or stanzas

laws enforced by American states which separated people based on the colour of their skin (late 19th century to 1965)

a person who advocates for social and political equality for those who have been denied equal treatment

in English, historical, social, literary or biographical information which helps us understand a text more fully

elements in a poem or poems that make it clear it is by a particular person or speaker

Analytical paragraphs: Maya Angelou’s poetic voice

English

In 'Single Poet Study: Maya Angelou', pupils study a body of work by a single poet, in order to explore what makes her style and voice unique, giving Angelou her identity as a writer. In the second  Power and Conflict Poetry unit, pupils study the identity cluster of poems, including works by Agard, Dharker and Rumens, all of which use poetic voice to explore questions about personal identity.

In 'Poetry about Place and Home', pupils use spoken word poetry to explore their relationship to the city that they live in. In 'Single Poet Study: Maya Angelou', pupils explore how spoken word poetry can be used to express personal and political views. 

Single poet study: Maya Angelou

Discriminatory behaviour or images, whether on the grounds of race, gender, disability, religion or belief or sexual orientation, or otherwise.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Historic or outdated representations of people that may portray inequality or injustice.

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

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Depiction or discussion of sex or sexual body parts, including sex education.

Depiction or discussion of sexual content

One way to plan what you will write about in a paragraph is to use a {{ }} paragraph outline. ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').

When planning a paragraph using a single paragraph outline, which aspect of the paragraph should be written in note form?

first sentence of a paragraph stating its main focus

comments on why a writer has written something in a certain way

information about how, why and when the text was written

Match each of these terms to their definitions ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').

write down everything you will focus on in your essay

What advice could you give a pupil who was trying to write a topic sentence to an analytical paragraph? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')

What advice could you give a pupil who was trying to write a concluding sentence to an analytical paragraph? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')

I'm sincerely sad that I can't go to maths – it's my favourite subject.

I told her I was sorry, but I didn't mean it. I was being insincere.

I sincere when I asked if she wanted to come to the party.

It was a sincereless apology – he didn't mean it.

Which uses the word 'sincere' (or its forms) accurately? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')

Which poem did Maya Angelou write and perform for President Clinton’s inauguration? (‘Single poet study: Maya Angelou’)

Maya Angelou is best known as a poet and a  {{}}? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')

laws which separated people based on their profession

laws which separated people based on their nationality

laws which separated people based on their class

laws which separated people based on the colour of their skin

laws which separated people based on their age

What were the Jim Crow laws? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')

repeated line or group of lines in a poem

the attitude of emotion of your voice - written or verbal

non-literal words or phrases to express complex ideas

a comparison which is developed over a number of lines

Match each method to its definition ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')

Match each word to its definition. ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')

a Black female speaker describes her chores and emotions

an assertive speaker explains why she is extraordinary

an extended metaphor explores effects of the Jim Crow laws

a speaker lists scary things but says she’s not frightened

forthright speaker explains why she will overcome any adversity

Match each of these Maya Angelou poems to their main focus. ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Depiction or discussion of sexual content

Adult supervision required

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

Analytical paragraphs: Maya Angelou’s poetic voice

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

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