the primary argument or central idea presented in a piece of academic writing

a sentence that introduces the main idea or theme of a paragraph, guiding its content

information or objects that are firmly and deeply fixed within something else

words or phrases that express a lack of certainty when presenting ideas

‘Power and Conflict’ poetry: writing a sophisticated comparative response 

English

In 'AQA Power and Conflict Poetry' continued, pupils used a range of reading skills to aid the supported decoding of challenging poems. In 'Unseen Poetry', pupils use these reading skills to decode texts with independence. 

In 'AQA Power and Conflict Poetry', pupils compared the language, form and structure of a variety of poems connected by the themes of power and conflict. In 'AQA Power and Conflict Poetry continued', pupils work on making more nuanced comparisons, focusing on the final three poems: *Checking Out Me History*, *The Emigree* and *Tissue*

Poetry anthology: continued study

Historic or outdated representations of people that may portray inequality or injustice.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

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

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

a clear, relevant topic sentence linked to your thesis statement

analyse one poem before analysing another

use tentative language for personal interpretations

Starting with the first, put the steps below which outline your comparative analysis paragraph in the order you'd complete them. 

'Checking Out Me History' explores colonial power whilst 'My Last Duchess' predominantly explores...

marginalised groups triumph over oppressors

marginalised groups cannot reclaim control

‘Checking Out Me History’ explore how…

introduce both poems and summarise their key ideas

summarise multiple themes across two poems

The Duke's narrative is shaped by his wife's behaviour.

The Duchess' "spot of joy" in the portrait is a mark of her defiance.

How do we see evidence of marginalised groups triumphing over oppressors in 'My Last Duchess'?

was denied the opportunity to learn about his own heritage and identity.

Concealment is relevant in both 'My Last Duchess' and 'Checking Out Me History', whilst the Duke seeks to conceals the identity of his late wife through a curtain, Agard...

Where does a thesis statement appear in your essay?

Agard describes that he received a diverse curriculum

Agard's native country was overcome with tyrants

Agard was denied the opportunity to learn about his heritage in Guyana

How does oppression occur in 'Checking Out Me History'?

What is the form of both 'Checking Out Me History' and 'My Last Duchess'?

Match the method to the type of evidence.

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of serious crime

Adult supervision required

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

‘Power and Conflict’ poetry: writing a sophisticated comparative response

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.