Exploring enjambment in Alfred, Lord Tennyson's ‘The Lady of Shalott’
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explore selected examples of enjambment in Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s poem, ‘The Lady of Shalott’.
Key learning points
- Enjambment is when there is no punctuation at the end of a line of poetry.
- You can analyse a poet's use of enjambment.
- When analysing a poet's use of enjambment, you should select a clear example and refer to it through quotation.
- You should connect the use of enjambment to specific ideas in the poem.
Keywords
Enjambment - when there is no punctuation at the end of a line of poetry
Foreshadows - a hint or indication of something happening in the future
Confined - trapped, restricted to
Selective - to choose carefully
Common misconception
You can't include quotations when exploring enjambment.
If analysing enjambment, you must include a specific example. Just as you would include a quotation to explore a simile (for example) so must you include a quotation to explore enjambment.
Teacher tip
Consider if you could use pupil examples for the feedback of Learning Cycle 2. You could select strong examples of analysis that you have identified during the writing task and ask pupils to identify their strengths in relation to the checklist.
Equipment
You will need a copy of Alfred, Lord Tennyson's 'The Lady of Shalott' which can be found in on the worksheet.
Content guidance
Contains strong language
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the poetic terms to their meanings (‘Myths, legends and stories that inspire’).
a verse of a poem
when there is no punctuation at the end of a line of poetry
repetition of similar sounds in one or more words, especially in poems
an indication of something happening in the future
Q2.In ‘The Lady of Shalott’, why is the Lady of Shalott confined to a tower on the island of Shalott? (‘Myths, legends and stories that inspire’)
Q3.What is true of Camelot, an important location in ‘The Lady of Shalott’? (‘Myths, legends and stories that inspire’)
Q4.Starting with the first, put these plot points telling the story of ‘The Lady of Shalott’ in chronological order. (‘Myths, legends and stories that inspire’)
Q5.What are some of the things the Lady of Shalott sees from her tower in ‘The Lady of Shalott’? (‘Myths, legends and stories that inspire’)
Q6.In ‘The Lady of Shalott’, Tennyson writes “A is on her, if she stay/ Her weaving, either night or day”. (‘Myths, legends and stories that inspire’)
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Enjambment is when... (‘Myths, legends and stories that inspire’)
Q2.Match each part of ‘The Lady of Shalott’ to what happens in it. (‘Myths, legends and stories that inspire’)
We learn about two settings: Shalott and Camelot.
We learn about the curse and the Lady of Shalott’s life.
The Lady of Shalott stops weaving to look at Sir Lancelot.
The Lady of Shalott dies traveling to Camelot.
Q3.Enjambment is when there is no punctuation at the of a line of poetry. (‘Myths, legends and stories that inspire’)
Q4.What is true when analysing enjambment? (‘Myths, legends and stories that inspire’)
Q5.Which sentences use the word confined correctly? (‘Myths, legends and stories that inspire’)
Q6. is when a writer gives a hint or indication of something that will happen in the future. (‘Myths, legends and stories that inspire’)
To help you plan your 8 English lesson on: Exploring enjambment in Alfred, Lord Tennyson's ‘The Lady of Shalott’, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 English lesson on: Exploring enjambment in Alfred, Lord Tennyson's ‘The Lady of Shalott’, 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 3 English lessons from the Myths, legends and stories that inspire unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.