Comparing conflict in war poems from the Power and Conflict anthology
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can compare poets’ attitudes to conflict in two war poems from the anthology.
Key learning points
- 'Charge of the Light Brigade', 'Bayonet Charge', and 'Exposure' are all poems about war.
- 'Exposure' and 'Bayonet Charge' both convey the futility of war and convey the links between war and nature.
- 'Charge of the Light Brigade' and 'Bayonet Charge' both expose the truth about powerful ideas and powerful people.
- Comparative thesis statements should provide an overarching argument and focus on both poems as a whole.
- Comparative topic sentences should have a clear focus and link to the question.
Keywords
Nihilistic - a view that all traditional values are unfounded and existence is meaningless
Futility - incapable of producing useful results; pointless
Dehumanise - deprive someone of the qualities that make them human
Common misconception
Outlining a similarity between two poems is sufficient to compare.
If you want to improve your work and ensure it is 'critical', you must interrogate the subtle differences between poems.
Teacher tip
If you teach this lesson after doing other war poems such as 'Remains' and 'War Photographer', feel free to add them into the comparison.
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
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does it mean to compare?
Q2.Which of these connectives show a difference?
Q3.What does the word futile mean?
Q4.Which poem from the list below memorialises soldiers who died in battle?
Q5.In 'Bayonet Charge' Hughes shows the effect of war on...
Q6.What are the key success criteria for a comparative thesis statement?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which two poems from the list below show a criticism of patriotism and associated war propaganda?
Q2.Which two poems explore a link between war and nature?
Q3.Complete the sentence: In 'Exposure' Owen shows how nature can be harmful __________ in 'Bayonet Charge' Hughes shows how war can damage nature.
Q4.Match the elements of a multiple paragraph outline to their purpose.
Q5.Comparative topic sentences should...
Q6.Both ‘Bayonet Charge’ and ‘Exposure’ expose how soldiers are dehumanised in war. This is an example of a...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Comparing conflict in war poems from the Power and Conflict anthology, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Comparing conflict in war poems from 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' unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.