Understanding 'Cozy Apologia' by Rita Dove
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain what I think 'Cozy Apologia' is about and support my opinion with evidence.
Key learning points
- ‘Cozy Apologia’ is dedicated to Dove’s husband Fred, whom she married in 1979.
- Dove contrasts the safety of her love with her husband with the danger of the approaching hurricane.
- Whilst the relationship does not appear exciting, the speaker clearly feels safe and loved with her partner.
- Arguably, Dove is grateful for the mundanity of her life with her husband.
Keywords
To enrich - to improve or enhance the quality of something.
Interracial couple - a relationship that takes place between two people who are from different racial or ethnic groups.
Tribute - an act or statement that is intended to show appreciation for something or someone.
Mundane - ordinary/usual.
Common misconception
Students often think that there is only 'one right interpretation' of a poem.
Students are shown in this lesson that poetry can be read in several different ways and that any interpretation is valid. Students should be encouraged to explore multiple interpretations when discussing poetry.
Teacher tip
For the last task in learning cycle 2, it might be nice to challenge students to come up with as many different interpretations of the word 'stolen' as possible, to show them how many different ways they can look at the poem. It might be useful to brainstorm these as a class.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the Eduqas poetry anthology for this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of upsetting content
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 does the word 'cosy' mean?
Q2.Who is the speaker in a poem?
Q3.Which of the following words can be used as a synonym for 'to remember' or 'to think back to'?
Q4.Which of the following is the definition of the term 'enjambment'?
Q5.Which of the following words would belong in the same semantic field as the word 'licorice' (which is a type of sweet)?
Q6.Match the word up to its connotation.
bravery
foolish
gradual
heavenly
beauty/value
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Who wrote 'Cozy Apologia'?
Q2.Which words does Dove use to describe her teenage crushes in 'Cozy Apologia'?
Q3.Starting with the first, put the summary of 'Cozy Apologia' in chronological order.
Q4.What word does Dove use to describe the time she spends with her husband in 'Cozy Apologia'?
Q5.Which of the following facts are true about Rita Dove?
Q6.Why might Dove have contrasted her love for her husband with the imminent danger of hurricane Floyd in 'Cozy Apologia'?
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Understanding 'Cozy Apologia' by Rita Dove, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Understanding 'Cozy Apologia' by Rita Dove, 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.