Approaching the study of 15 poems, linked thematically, for GCSE English literature poses many problems for KS4 students, who often try to play a game of ‘spot the poetic technique’ and begin their analysis with detailed annotations of key terms such as alliteration, rhyme sequences and structural meaning.
Whilst this is important in a response to a degree, English teachers throughout the land are screaming silently.
Surely, the best way to understand a poem, and the poet’s true intent and meaning, is to access the theme on a deeper level?
This lesson does that by exploring the question ‘Is it morally acceptable to photograph people in pain?’.
Why teach this?
Explore GCSE Power and Conflict poetry through an emotional lens to inspire an understanding of themes, ideas and perspectives, so that students can access a poet’s deeper intent.
Key curriculum links
Pupils will focus on: reading, understanding and responding to texts, developing an informed personal response; showing an understanding of the relationships between texts and the contexts in which they were written.
Claire Jones is head of English at Plympton Academy, Plymouth.
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