Exploring imagery in 'London' by William Blake
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe some of the key imagery used in the poem.
Key learning points
- Imagery refers to the use of language that evokes vivid mental pictures in the reader's mind.
- In the poem 'London', William Blake uses sensory language to paint a vivid image.
- Sounds are important in the poem, such as the "infant's cry of fear" and the "chimney-sweeper's cry".
- The use of negative sounds in the poem creates a noisy and unpleasant impression of the city.
- Different kinds of language have different effects.
Keywords
Imagery - the use of vivid and sensory language that appeals to the reader's senses, creating vivid mental pictures and enhancing the emotional impact of the poem
Atmosphere - the feeling or mood created in a section or whole of a text
Visual - relating to the sense of sight
Aural - relating to the sense of hearing
Common misconception
Pupils may find identifying examples of imagery/language challenging.
Pupils could use the modelled examples and further discuss the imagery and language used in those examples.
Teacher tip
Pupils could annotate and highlight their own versions of the poem during the first lesson cycle in order to support their re-reading and use these as notes to support their discussions in the second lesson cycle.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Who is the author of the poem 'London'?
Q2.Which definition best fits the word plague?
Q3.True or false? In the poem 'London', the speaker describes miserable sounds and sights in the city.
Q4.Which river does the speaker walk past on their walk?
Q5.Which of these are synonyms of "woe"?
Q6.When is the speaker walking?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords to their definitions.
the use of vivid and sensory language
relating to the sense of sight
relating to the sense of hearing
Q2.Which of the following examples of imagery are visual?
Q3.Which of the following examples of imagery are aural?
Q4.True or false? William Blake uses sensory language to paint a vivid image.
Q5.Match the following words from the poem with their definitions.
a plant disease or form of decay
metal restrains of shackles
deep distress or sorrow
Q6.True or false? Imagery includes metaphors, similes and personification.
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Exploring imagery in 'London' by William Blake, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Exploring imagery in 'London' by William Blake, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 English lessons from the Poetry of place unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.