giving human traits to non-human entities

representing abstract ideas using concrete objects or actions

differences between two or more things used to draw attention to them

using ‘like’ or ‘as’ to compare two things with shared qualities

the conclusion or final outcome of a story or conflict

Analysing 'Winter Swans' by Owen Sheers

English

In 'AQA Love and Relationships Poetry', pupils compared the language, form and structure of a variety of poems connected by the themes of love and relationships. In 'AQA Love and Relationships Poetry continued', pupils work on making more nuanced comparisons between poems.

In 'Single Poet Study: Maya Angelou', pupils explore how Angelou uses her poetry to present strong relationships to people and place. In 'AQA Love and Relationships Poetry', pupils analyse how a variety of different relationships have been presented across time.

Poetry anthology: first study

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Match each of these key words to the correct definition.

using descriptions of colours to create a particular mood or emotion

giving human qualities to non-human entities

using short, snappy stanzas to show conflict

using the weather or natural landscape to create a particular mood or emotion

a description that makes us feel sorry for the characters

the swans are intimidating and they block the couple's walk

the swans captivate the couple and they are compelled to stand and watch them

the swans chase the couple away from the lake

What does the following quote from 'Winter Swans' signify about the couple's interaction with the swans: "the swans came and stopped us”?

In the opening stanza of 'Winter Swans', Sheers describes how the ground is "gulping for breath at our feet". We could also argue that this description suggests how the speaker feels about ...

Which two language techniques does Sheers use in this quote from 'Winter Swans': "they halved themselves in the dark water, icebergs of white feather"?

they all appear at the beginning of a line

What do all these words from stanzas 3-4 of 'Winter Swans' have in common: "weights", "bodies", "heads", "themselves", "boats"?

happy because they have just found out they're expecting a baby.

experiencing trouble in their relationship.

spending time together before their wedding the next day.

In the middle of 'Winter Swans', Sheers uses  __________ to indicate a shift in the emotional tone (mood).

The trees stretched their bony branches towards the sun.

Crunchy orange leaves fluttered down from the trees like confetti.

Which of these is an example of personification?

Complete the missing word in this quote from 'Winter Swans': "we skirted the lake, silent and apart, until the {{   }} came and stopped us"

How many stanzas does 'Winter Swans' have?

Which language technique occurs in the final stanza of the poem 'Winter Swans'? ("and folded one over the other, like a pair of wings settling after flight")

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Adult supervision recommended

Starter Quiz