Writing two analytical responses in response to Eduqas poetry
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can write a detailed analysis of a single poem and a comparative response.
Key learning points
- A good analytical response begins with a clear and concise thesis statement.
- Comparative connectives can be used to link ideas together and explore connections between poems.
- Quotations can be signposted with where they appear in the poem e.g. 'in the final stanza'.
- Analysis can move from exploring holistic ideas through to specific methods.
- Context should be used to support your argument.
Keywords
Ephemeral - lasting for only a short amount of time
To interrogate - to ask questions about something to learn more about it
Concise - using as few words as possible to express as much meaning as possible
Common misconception
Students might think that they will only be asked to answer one poetry question.
The examination requires students to answer 2 questions: the first one is an analysis of a single poem; the second one is a comparison question.
Teacher tip
Decide whether you want to give students access to the anthology for this lesson or whether you want to put students in more formal conditions to assess how much they know without their anthologies.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which poem in the Eduqas anthology was written by Shelley?
Q2.Which of the following poems, taken from the Eduqas poetry anthology, are written from the perspective of a young child?
Q3.Which of the following war poems explore the impact of war upon soldiers' loved ones?
Q4.Which of the following poems, taken from the Eduqas poetry anthology, has key themes of resilience and hope?
Q5.Complete the quotation from 'Ozymandias': "And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold...".
Q6.Match the quotation up to the poem it is taken from.
"the orange sky of evening died away"
"In all my dreams, before my helpless sight"
"Look upon my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"
"I shall but love thee better after death"
"The mind-forg'd manacles I hear"
"A body of England's, breathing English air"
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1. is the circumstances in which a text was produced. It should always be used to support your overarching argument - not as a bolt-on.
Q2.Match the words to their definitions.
lasting for only a short amount of time
to ask questions about something to learn more about it
using as few words as possible to express as much meaning as possible
Q3.What kind of power is arguably more powerful than the pharaoh in Shelley's 'Ozymandias'?
Q4.How can you make your analysis detailed?
Q5. sentences should be used to move your analysis along and link ideas together, whilst reinforcing your thesis statement
Q6.Which of the following make a successful comparative response?
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Writing two analytical responses in response to Eduqas poetry, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Writing two analytical responses in response to Eduqas poetry, 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 Poetry anthology (Assessment until summer 2026) unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.