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Power and Conflict Poetry

Year group:  Year 10 and Year 11

When taught: Year 10 Spring HT2 and Year 11 Spring HT1. Poems split into themes.

What are we learning?

  • Students will complete a study of 15 poems which explore the themes of ‘Power’ and ‘Conflict’.
  • Each poem will be analysed in detail considering language, structure and form used by the poet.
  • We will also look at the context surrounding the creation of the 15 poems, grounding them in a particular moment in history. This will enable us to consider the deeper allegorical message of these poems.

Why is this important to know?

  • The study exposes students to different forms of poetry and enhances children’s appreciation and understanding of it.
  • After this study, students will be able to construct a clear and well evidenced essay.
  • It is important that students are able to interpret the written word for basic information but also interpret what is not said.
  • Fundamentally, analysis asks students to think ‘WHY?’.

Where does this link into our past and future learning?

  • This links to previous KS3 study of poetry such with the modules of study on ‘Leave Taking’, ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and ‘Journey’s End’.

How will we be assessed on this topic?

  • Students will be given a poem from the anthology. They will be asked to explore the presentation of a theme within this poem and compare this to another poem in the collection.

What makes a strong piece of work in this topic? What are teachers hoping to see?

  • To be successful, you must use quotations from the given poem and from another poem from the anthology. This means revising quotations from memory.
  • A strong response will include detail and development. Can students think of a number of interpretations and inferences surrounding the writers’ choices?
  • Very successful students will also consider the structure and form of the text, considering its didactic message.

What can I try if I want to stretch and challenge myself on this topic?

  • Start to create revision resources from the beginning of your study. Collect key quotations about themes within each poem.
  • Read other poems which explore the themes of ‘Power’ and ‘Conflict’. Ask your teacher for recommendations.

Supporting document/links: