Comparing how poets explore the experience of war in the Eduqas anthology
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can draw interesting comparisons between two war poems.
Key learning points
- The poems that you choose to compare should both be linked to the focus and nuances of the question you are asked.
- Focus your introduction and topic sentences on connections and contrasts between ideas, not devices.
- It is useful to consider the similarities between poems and then consider any subtle differences between them.
- You can consider the different contexts of poems as part of your comparison.
- Whereas most of the poems present the horrors of war, Brooke is the most patriotic in his writing.
Keywords
To complement - when something completes or supports something else
To contrast - an obvious difference between two things
Nuanced - slightly different in meaning
Inferiority - the state of being less powerful than someone or something else
Common misconception
All war poems from the anthology are equally comparable.
Some war poems are more suitable for comparison, depending on which question you are asked. You should make your decision based on which ideas and themes you want to discuss.
Teacher tip
You could print the titles of poems out and give them to groups of students to organise for the first few explanation tasks in learning cycle 1.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the Eduqas poetry anthology for this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
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.When we compare we look for...
Q2.In Brooke's poem 'The Soldier' he presents going to war as...
Q3.In 'Dulce et Decorum Est' Owen presents war as...
Q4.In 'Mametz Wood' Sheers presents the war as....
Q5.Which poem would contrast best with 'Mametz Wood' because of its differing presentation of war?
Q6.If something is nuanced it is...
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords with their definitions.
Q2.Which of the following poets is most patriotic in his writing?
Q3.When planning a comparative poetry essay, which of the following does not need to be included in the supporting detail?
Q4.Topic sentences should support...
Q5.It is useful to consider the similarities between poems and then consider on any subtle between them.
Q6.You can consider the different of poems as part of your comparison.
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Comparing how poets explore the experience of war in the Eduqas anthology, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Comparing how poets explore the experience of war in the Eduqas 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 Poetry anthology (Assessment until summer 2026) unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.