Analysing how poets reminisce and remember loved ones
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can plan a comparative analysis of ‘Before You Were Mine’ and one other poem.
Key learning points
- Context is a useful lens through which to consider the writer’s intentions and evaluate our interpretations of the text.
- Contextual links should be relevant to analysis and not used as ‘bolt-on’ sentences.
- Effective analysis begins with a strong thesis statement, introducing key ideas and the relationship between both texts.
- Single paragraph outlines are useful tools to plan comparative analysis paragraphs.
Keywords
Ekphrastic - a vivid, often detailed, description of or response to a visual work of art
Context - circumstances influencing the meaning or interpretation of an event, statement, or idea
Abstract - theoretical or conceptual; existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence
Thesis - central argument or claim supported by evidence
Possessive - expressing ownership; showing a desire to control or dominate
Common misconception
Every analysis paragraph should link to the wider context.
Effective analysis links to context only when relevant to the discussion of key ideas/methods and avoids 'bolt-on' sentences.
Teacher tip
Encourage students to research the wider context of each poem as a pre-lesson task.
Equipment
You will need access to 'Eden Rock' (Causley), 'Climbing My Grandfather' (Waterhouse) and 'Before You Were Mine' (Duffy). They can be found in the AQA Love and Relationships Poetry Anthology.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is context?
Q2.Which of these poems has the poet confirmed is semi-autobiographical?
Q3.What is a vignette?
Q4.Andrew Waterhouse was passionate about...
Q5.Charles Causley has confirmed that 'Eden Rock' is a fictional place, however has also implied that it was influenced by...
Q6.When writing analysis paragraphs, it is important to lead with...
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.A poem that describes or responds to a piece of visual art is known as an poem.
Q2.What is a thesis?
Q3.Which of these is an example of contextual knowledge for 'Eden Rock'?
Q4.Which of the following is an example of an abstract noun?
Q5.Why is it useful to use contextual knowledge in your written analysis?
Q6.An effective thesis statement will...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Analysing how poets reminisce and remember loved ones, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Analysing how poets reminisce and remember loved ones, 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 'Love and Relationships' unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.