a detailed comparison which develops one idea over a number of lines, paragraphs or stanzas

continuing to do something even when it is difficult

the tools a writer uses to create their work; extended metaphor is one example

a way of planning a paragraph by writing the first and final sentences in full, and developing the detail of the paragraph in note form

Maya Angelou’s influences: exploring ‘Sympathy’ by Paul Laurence Dunbar

English

In 'Single Poet Study: Maya Angelou', pupils study a body of work by a single poet, in order to explore what makes her style and voice unique, giving Angelou her identity as a writer. In the second  Power and Conflict Poetry unit, pupils study the identity cluster of poems, including works by Agard, Dharker and Rumens, all of which use poetic voice to explore questions about personal identity.

In 'Poetry about Place and Home', pupils use spoken word poetry to explore their relationship to the city that they live in. In 'Single Poet Study: Maya Angelou', pupils explore how spoken word poetry can be used to express personal and political views. 

Single poet study: Maya Angelou

Discriminatory behaviour or images, whether on the grounds of race, gender, disability, religion or belief or sexual orientation, or otherwise.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of sex or sexual body parts, including sex education.

Depiction or discussion of sexual content

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Maya Angelou was inspired to write 'Caged Bird' by Paul Laurence Dunbar's poem '{{ }}'. ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')

first sentence of a paragraph stating its main idea (full sentence)

ideas, methods key vocabulary for your paragraph (note form)

final sentence in your paragraph summing up main ideas (full sentence)

Match each section of the single paragraph outline to its purpose ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').

The first line of Paul Laurence Dunbar's poem 'Sympathy' is "I know what the caged bird feels, alas!" What perspective is this written in? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')

What is true of Paul Laurence Dunbar? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')

I gave up after a while – it seemed useless to persist.

She is unpersistent. If you tell her to stop, she will.

If you persist in leaning on the back of your chair, you will eventually fall.

I had a persistent cough for about three weeks. It was annoying.

Which sentences use the word persistent, or its forms, correctly? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')

Angelou contrasts the bird in the cage to a bird that is free.

Angelou uses third person; Dunbar uses first person.

Angelou writes in stanzas; Dunbar writes in paragraphs.

What are some of the differences between Dunbar's poem 'Sympathy' and Angelou's 'Caged Bird'? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')

Maya Angelou wrote a poem called 'Caged {{ }}'. ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')

narrator is a character, using pronouns like 'I' and 'me'

narrator speaks directly to the reader, using pronouns like 'you'

narrator isn’t a character; uses pronouns like 'he', 'they' etc.

Match each of these perspectives to their definitions ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').

a comparison that's developed over a number of lines

the purposeful recurrence of a word or phrase

when things are considered side by side to emphasise their differences

when two or more words close by start with the same letter or sound

Match each method to its definition ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').

the ability to keep doing something even when it is difficult

the unjust treatment of an individual or group

to treat someone as if they are unimportant or insignificant

Match each word to its definition ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').

laws which legalised segregation by gender 

laws which legalised segregation by nationality

laws which legalised segregation by religion

What were the Jim Crow laws? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')

What is the final word of Maya Angelou's 'Caged Bird'? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of sexual content

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Adult supervision required

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

Maya Angelou’s influences: exploring ‘Sympathy’ by Paul Laurence Dunbar

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

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