Revising key themes in the ‘Power and Conflict’ anthology
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify and compare themes across poems from the Power and Conflict anthology.
Key learning points
- When comparing poems, pay attention to the specific theme within the question.
- Be open to comparing poems across different eras, movements, styles and content areas.
- Memory is a key theme across many of the ‘Power and Conflict’ poems.
- Poets from the anthology often explore the damaging effect of pride, the power of nature and harrowing inner conflicts.
Keywords
Theme - the main subject that is being discussed in a piece of writing
Omnipotence - having very great or unlimited power
Ephemeral - short-lasting
Futility - pointlessness or uselessness
Common misconception
Students may think that all 'Romantic' poems should be compared, all 'war' poems must be compared, all 'nature' poems must be compared.
The nuances of the question are the most important factor when deciding which poems to compare.
Teacher tip
You may want to print out the table in the additional materials for pupils to use in this lesson.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the AQA Power and Conflict Anthology for this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is a theme in literature?
Q2.Which of these is not a theme found in the Power and Conflict anthology?
Q3.Romantic poets often wrote about...
Q4.Which poems best explore the theme of power of man?
Q5.Which of these poets were part of the Romantic movement?
Q6.What does 'omnipotent' mean?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Instead of choosing poems based on the time they were written or their style, it's better to compare poems based on their presentation of key...
Q2.Which poems from the 'Power and Conflict' anthology best explore the theme of memory?
Q3.These poems have been grouped together: 'Ozymandias', 'London' and 'My Last Duchess'. What key theme do they have in common?
Q4.These poems have been grouped together: 'Ozymandias', 'Extract from The Prelude' and 'My Last Duchess'. What key theme do they have in common?
Q5.Which poem does not present the omnipotence of nature?
Q6.Looking at the theme of trauma, which poem might you compare 'War Photographer' with?
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Revising key themes in the ‘Power and Conflict’ anthology, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Revising key themes in the ‘Power and Conflict’ anthology, 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 4 English lessons from the Power and conflict poetry continued unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.