Analysing 'Valentine' by Carol Ann Duffy
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can analyse how Duffy uses language, form and structure to present the speaker’s views on love.
Key learning points
- In the beginning of the poem, love is presented as nurturing, caring and pure - it brings connection and intimacy.
- Duffy presents love as something that many people strive to protect - something precious and valuable.
- Duffy explores the darker side of love, suggesting that love can have an irreversible and harmful effect.
- Duffy defies romanticised presentations of love; presenting us with a realistic portrayal of love that is often ignored.
Keywords
Lethal - serious or dangerous enough to cause death
Inevitable - certain to happen - unavoidable
Tone - the poet’s attitude towards the subject matter
To romanticise - to view something in an unrealistic or idealistic way
Marginalised - to treat someone or something as though they/it are not important
Common misconception
Pupils might think that the poet does not support the idea of love.
In the poem, the speaker is expressing their love for their partner. The speaker does support love, and acknowledges the benefits it can bring - they just also acknowledge the great harm it can cause.
Teacher tip
You could complete Task A in learning cycle 1 as a class debate. This would raise some interesting questions about what a "negative" view actually means and whether being "realistic" about something makes your perspective "negative".
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the Eduqas poetry 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.The poem 'Valentine' can be described as __________ love poem.
Q2.What does the speaker in 'Valentine' give her lover as a gift?
Q3.What person is the poem 'Valentine written in?
Q4.What does 'subvert' mean?
Q5.Which of these conventions does Duffy subvert in 'Valentine'?
Q6.The the overall mood or attitude conveyed by the writer is known as the of a text.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords to their definitions.
serious or dangerous enough to cause death
certain to happen - unavoidable
the poet’s attitude towards the subject matter
to view something in an unrealistic or idealistic way
to treat someone or something as though they/it are not important
Q2.What is the tone at the start of 'Valentine'?
Q3.What is the tone by the end of 'Valentine'?
Q4.Which of these words taken from 'Valentine' creates the most defiant tone in the poem?
Q5.Starting with the first, put these words from 'Valentine' in the order they appear in the poem.
Q6.Duffy presents us with a portrayal of love that is often ignored.
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Analysing 'Valentine' by Carol Ann Duffy, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Analysing 'Valentine' by Carol Ann Duffy, 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.