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Lesson 32 of 33
  • Year 10
  • Eduqas

Writing a written response on the Eduqas poetry anthology

I can write a successful answer comparing two poems from the Eduqas anthology.

Lesson 32 of 33
New
New
  • Year 10
  • Eduqas

Writing a written response on the Eduqas poetry anthology

I can write a successful answer comparing two poems from the Eduqas anthology.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Before writing, you should consider why you have picked your chosen poem for comparison.
  2. A planning grid with single paragraph outlines can be a useful planning tool.
  3. Considering the success criteria before writing helps you remember what to include for a successful essay.

Keywords

  • Discourse marker - a word or phrase used to link ideas and signpost the direction of the writing

  • Comparative - measured or judged by estimating the similarity or dissimilarity between one thing and another

  • Thesis - a statement that presents your overarching argument in an essay

  • Topic sentence - explains the focus or main idea of an analytical paragraph

Common misconception

Planning takes too much time and isn’t worth it when writing an essay.

Planning saves time overall. It helps you organise your ideas, stay focused, and write more clearly and effectively, making your essay stronger and easier to complete.


To help you plan your year 10 English lesson on: Writing a written response on the Eduqas poetry anthology, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

You might like to give the pupils sentence starters or a writing frame to help them start and structure their writing.
Teacher tip

Equipment

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

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), 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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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Who wrote the poem 'Sonnet 29'?

Eve L. Ewing
Gillian Clarke
William Wordsworth
William Blake
Correct answer: Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Q2.
How can you make your introduction in an analytical piece clear and engaging?

Correct answer: Open with a thesis statement.
Introduce yourself and explain why you are writing.
Explain who the speakers are in both poems and how this links to the poems.
Correct answer: Use comparative connectives to show connections between poems.
Analyse a method in detail.

Q3.
Match the key terms to their definitions.

Correct Answer:discourse marker,a word or phrase whose job is to organise writing

a word or phrase whose job is to organise writing

Correct Answer:comparative,showing similarities or differences

showing similarities or differences

Correct Answer:inference,a conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning

a conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning

Correct Answer:topic sentence,explains the focus or main idea of an analytical paragraph

explains the focus or main idea of an analytical paragraph

Q4.
Which of these are examples of comparative discourse markers?

Correct answer: likewise
furthermore
thus
Correct answer: contrastingly

Q5.
Match the poem, taken from the Eduqas poetry anthology, to the figurative language used within the poem.

Correct Answer:'Catrin',a rope represents the bond and conflict between mother and daughter

a rope represents the bond and conflict between mother and daughter

Correct Answer:'Blackberry Picking',uses the simile of wine to describe the experience of youth

uses the simile of wine to describe the experience of youth

Correct Answer:'The Schoolboy',uses a metaphor of a caged bird to crituqe the insitution of school

uses a metaphor of a caged bird to crituqe the insitution of school

Correct Answer:'Origin Story',a comic book is used to explore the fragility of love

a comic book is used to explore the fragility of love

Q6.
How should context be included in an analytical response?

It should be attached to the end of your paragraph.
Correct answer: It should be used to support an argument.
Correct answer: It should be accurate and relevant.
You should give as much contextual information as possible.

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is the purpose of a thesis in a comparative poetry essay?

to summarise both poems in detail
to provide background information on the poets
Correct answer: to present your overarching argument about the poems
to list all the literary devices used in both poems

Q2.
Put the sections from an essay plan in the correct order.

1 - thesis
2 - topic sentence
3 - supporting details
4 - concluding sentence
5 - conclusion

Q3.
Which of the following is not essential in a comparative poetry response?

Correct answer: a detailed summary of the poems
a clear and concise thesis statement
context to enhance understanding of the poems
comparative connectives to show links between ideas

Q4.
What does a strong conclusion in a comparative essay do?

restates the quotations used
introduces a new poem
Correct answer: sums up how the thesis has been proven
lists all the literary techniques again

Q5.
Match the sections of the planning grid to the correct description.

Correct Answer:thesis,Overarching argument, supported by the whole text.

Overarching argument, supported by the whole text.

Correct Answer:topic sentence,The first sentence of a paragraph. It states the main idea.

The first sentence of a paragraph. It states the main idea.

Correct Answer:supporting details,References to the text which support your topic sentence.

References to the text which support your topic sentence.

Correct Answer:concluding sentence,The final sentence of a paragraph. It concludes the main idea.

The final sentence of a paragraph. It concludes the main idea.

Correct Answer:conclusion,Sums up your essay’s overall thesis.

Sums up your essay’s overall thesis.

Q6.
Which of these answers could be considered the most appropriate for an effective conclusion?

Overall, both poems explore interesting themes about love.
To sum up, the poems use different styles.
Correct answer: Both poems explore memory’s impact through powerful, contrasting imagery.
The use of metaphor could suggest that the love is stifling.