Analysing the poem 'Storm on the Island'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explore how Heaney uses structure and form to present ideas about power and conflict.
Key learning points
- Conflict between nature and man seems to be a 'big idea' in the poem.
- The speaker opens with a confident assertion but becomes increasingly insecure and powerless as the storm progresses.
- The use of enjambment, volta, lack of rhyme and single stanza form may reflect nature’s omnipotence.
- Iambic pentameter, colloquialisms and oxymorons may reflect speaker’s attempt to stay calm and confident in the storm.
- The use of half-rhyme may reflect the speaker’s futile attempts to assert control over nature.
Keywords
Omnipotent - having unlimited power
Unrelenting - never weakening or ending
Half-rhyme - in most instances when the last consonant sounds of words rhyme but the preceding vowel sounds do not (this can be vice versa)
Colloquial - language used in ordinary conversation, not formal or literary
Common misconception
All stylistic choices in a poem have to be in harmony with each other.
Heaney's stylistic choices often seem to contradict each other but this could be symbolic of the conflict occurring between man and nature.
Teacher tip
Model reading the poem aloud with appropriate pacing in learning cycle 1. This is a good opportunity to demonstrate the impact of enjambment in the poem, as well as the use of sibilance.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the AQA Power and Conflict Anthology for this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is being described here: 'A figure of speech in which contradictory terms appear together.'?
Q2.Match the key term to its definition.
the words a writer uses to convey meaning
the type of text it is
the organisation of the text on a page
Q3.What is a volta in poetry?
Q4.What is the definition of 'enjambment'?
Q5.In 'Storm on the Island', Heaney may be showing the conflict between and man.
Q6.What do we mean by colloquial language?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In 'Storm on the Island', how does the speaker's tone change as the poem progresses?
Q2.What's the impact of the iambic pentameter used in 'Storm on the Island?
Q3.Why might Heaney have used colloquialisms in 'Storm on the Island'?
Q4. means having unlimited power.
Q5.Heaney uses __________ to show man asserting his dominance over nature in 'Storm on the Island'.
Q6.What is true of supporting detail when planning a written answer?
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Analysing the poem 'Storm on the Island', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Analysing the poem 'Storm on the Island', 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' unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.