Exploring theme, message and intent across the ‘Power and Conflict’ anthology
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explore common themes, messages and intent throughout the ‘Power and Conflict’ anthology.
Key learning points
- There are several overlapping themes in the ‘Power and Conflict’ anthology.
- A message is an important idea in a text that the writer wants to tell people about.
- A poet’s intent is the reason they have for writing a text.
- Using evaluative verbs can help you make meaningful comments about a writer’s intent.
Keywords
Theme - the main subject/ideas in a piece of writing
Message - an important idea in a text that the writer wants to tell people about
Intent - the reason someone has for writing a text
Evaluative verb - a verb that demonstrates an opinion on something
Common misconception
Students may assume that writing about how the poet wants the reader to feel is enough when writing about intent.
To add sophistication and criticality to writing, evaluative verbs can be very effective when discussing the writer's intent.
Teacher tip
Create a class word bank for evaluative verbs and display it somewhere central so that students can use it for their analytical writing across different units.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the AQA Power and Conflict Anthology for this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
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.Starting with the first, put the 'Power and Conflict' poems in order of when they were published.
Q2.Match the poem to the most appropriate theme shown.
power of nature
grief
trauma
identity
Q3.Which theme does not apply to 'Extract from the Prelude'?
Q4.In 'My Last Duchess', Browning uses dramatic monologue to expose the Duke's flaws, perhaps to...
Q5.Which poems from the 'Power and Conflict' anthology show the ephemeral and/or limited power of mankind?
Q6.Which poem from the 'Power and Conflict' anthology is the odd one out in terms of message and intent?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the key term to the correct definition.
an important idea in a text that the writer wants to tell
the reason someone has for writing a text
the main subject/ideas in a piece of writing
Q2.Which theme links ‘Ozymandias’, ‘Extract from the Prelude’ and ‘Kamikaze’?
Q3.When exploring the theme of ‘oppression’, which poem could be considered the odd one out?
Q4.For a poem that shows nature’s omnipotence and human inferiority, the poet’s intention might be to…
Q5.Which theme links ‘Exposure’, ‘Bayonet Charge’ and ‘Charge of the Light Brigade’?
Q6.Poems that have the message that 'each individual can reclaim power over their identity after hardship', may have been written to...
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Exploring theme, message and intent across 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: Exploring theme, message and intent across 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.