New
New
Year 11
Eduqas

Comparing the poets' presentations of nature in the Eduqas anthology

I can compare the ways in which different poets present nature.

New
New
Year 11
Eduqas

Comparing the poets' presentations of nature in the Eduqas anthology

I can compare the ways in which different poets present nature.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Some of the poems’ subject is nature, others use nature as a vehicle for the exploration of human emotion.
  2. Comparing poems that explore the same theme in a different way can make for an interesting comparison.
  3. Comparative conjunctions should be used to compare language, form and structure of poems.
  4. Your comparison can explore the similar methods that poets use to convey their perspectives or ideas.
  5. For example, some of the poets on the anthology use seasonal transitions as a metaphor for human emotion.

Keywords

  • Transition - a change or shift from one thing into another

  • Reflective - deeply thoughtful

  • Serenity - being calm, peaceful and untroubled

Common misconception

Students might not realise that they can talk about how the theme of nature is used in a poem, as well as how it is presented.

Keats and Dickinson both use the theme of nature as a vehicle to explore human emotion. Here, the theme of nature is used almost as a method in the poems.

You could set the essay students are planning in Task B in Learning Cycle 2 for homework or as an extension task.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You will need access to a copy of the Eduqas poetry anthology for this lesson.

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following poems explore the theme of nature in the Eduqas poetry anthology?
'Living Space'
Correct answer: 'Hawk Roosting'
Correct answer: 'The Prelude'
'The Manhunt'
'London'
Q2.
What might the word 'serenity' mean?
the state of being deeply reflective and thoughtful
Correct answer: the state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled
the state of being deeply unsettled and anxious
Q3.
Complete the quotation from Wordsworth's 'The Prelude': "So through the darkness and the cold we ".
Correct Answer: flew
Q4.
What is 'natural imagery'?
Correct answer: language associated with nature that creates a vivid picture in the mind
language associated with nature that inspired the poet's writing
language associated with nature that the poet repeats throughout the poem
Q5.
What does the phrase 'using something as a vehicle' mean?
using one thing as a means of undermining another
Correct answer: using one thing as a means of exploring or meeting another aim
using one thing as a way of championing another
Q6.
Match the poem up to the correct summary of it.
Correct Answer:'Hawk Roosting',written from the perspective of a bird

written from the perspective of a bird

Correct Answer:'The Prelude',about the young speaker ice skating with his friends

about the young speaker ice skating with his friends

Correct Answer:'Death of a Naturalist',about the speaker's enthusiasm for nature that turns to fear

about the speaker's enthusiasm for nature that turns to fear

Correct Answer:'To Autumn',a love poem to the poet's favourite season, used to reach acceptance

a love poem to the poet's favourite season, used to reach acceptance

Correct Answer:'As Imperceptibly as Grief',used to explore the slow passing of time

used to explore the slow passing of time

6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following is the correct definition for the word 'transition'?
a state of consistency and regulation
Correct answer: a change or shift from one thing into another
a state of disorder or disarray
Q2.
How might you describe the tone used in Dickinson's poem 'As Imperceptibly as Grief'?
angry
ominous
Correct answer: reflective
optimistic
Q3.
Which of the following makes a great comparative topic sentence?
a summary of both poems
Correct answer: comparative connectives
Correct answer: clear signposting of which poem you are referring to
using a quotation
Q4.
What similar method do Heaney and Wordsworth use in their poems 'Death of a Naturalist' and 'The Prelude'?
repetition
extended metaphor
Correct answer: onomatopoeia
mirroring
Q5.
What similar method do both Keats and Dickinson employ in their poems 'To Autumn' and 'As Imperceptibly as Grief'?
They both use a consistent rhyme scheme.
Correct answer: They both use natural imagery to represent human emotion.
They both use onomatopoeia throughout their poems.
They both use enjambment frequently.
Q6.
Here is an example thesis statement: In the poem, the poet illustrates the lack of dignity in dying at war, thereby portraying the brutal reality of war.' How could we improve this thesis statement?
include a quotation to support the argument
include discussion of methods
Correct answer: be clearer about which poem you are discussing