to describe something that happened, to tell its story

an equal distribution of two or more things

a literary technique in which you compare one thing to another; Owen compares mud to an octopus in his letter

a complex emotion in which you feel anger, disappointment, bitterness

Writing a letter as a soldier in the trenches of World War One

English

In 'A World at War: Short Stories', pupils explore the reasons for writing war literature and how it seeks to convey the suffering of soldiers and civilians, in times of conflict. In 'Power and Conflict Poetry', students explore the many types of conflict that arise through war, with themes including patriotism, propaganda, fear, guilt and duty.

In 'The Tempest', pupils are encouraged to write from the viewpoint of Caliban and Ariel, adopting character voices in creative writing. In 'A World at War', pupils emulate the writing styles of the authors that they encounter, to create an authentic voice in their writing. 

Literary perspectives from the First World War

Depiction of war, threats of war, death or the aftermath of war.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Depiction or discussion of violence or fighting, including threats of violence or the aftermath of violence.

Depiction or discussion of serious mental health issues including eating disorders, self-harm, suicide or attempted suicide, or the aftermath of such an event.

Depiction or discussion of mental health issues

The majority of personal letters begin with a {{ }} which indicates who the letter is for. 

Sign offs like "Yours sincerely" and "Yours faithfully" are used for more {{ }} letters. Sign offs like "Love from" are used for more informal or personal letters.

They helped those at home understand the realities of war.

They were another strand of the government's propaganda.

They provided comfort and joy in distressing circumstances.

It was the only way to get news about the war.

Only important officers could receive letters, so it was a sign of status.

We have looked at an example of a letter Wilfred Owen wrote to his mother during WW1. Why were letters such an important feature of life during WW1?

In Wilfred Owen's 1917 letters to his mother, how does Owen sign this letter off?

In one of his 1917 letters to his mother during WW1, Owen uses a {{ }} to describe the sludge of the trenches as "an octopus of sucking mud". 

In one of his 1917 letters to his mother during WW1, Owen describes how he moved 150 yards across No Man's Land, saying he had to "crawl, {{ }}, climb and flounder."

Personal letters were a vital form of communication during World War One. What are some common features of letters?

greets his mother and says he has experienced "seventh hell"

details the agonies of spending fifty hours in a trench being shelled

explains the number of casualties and their nature

expresses his anger about what happened to him and other soldiers

Starting with the first, order these events from one of Wilfred Owen's 1917 letters to his mother during WW1 in chronological order.

"I am bitterly disappointed that I never got one of yours."

"We marched three miles over shelled road."

"[the ground was] an octopus of sucking clay."

Wilfred Owen's 1917 letter to his mother during WW1 includes a number of metaphors. Which of the below are metaphors?

The seeng-seeng-seeng of the bullets reminded me of Mary's canary.

Water filled it to a depth of 1 or 2 feet, leaving say 4 feet of air.

Every ten minutes on Sunday afternoon seemed an hour. 

[I had to] crawl, wade, climb and flounder over No Man's Land [.]

Wilfred Owen's 1917 letter to his mother during WW1 includes a number of methods which help convey the horror of his experience. Match each quotation to its method.

In one of his 1917 letters to his mother during WW1, Owen writes of a particular episode in the trenches, "Those fifty hours were the {{ }} of my happy life."

In one of his 1917 letters to his mother during WW1, Owen describes the sludge of the trenches as "an {{ }} of sucking mud".

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Depiction or discussion of mental health issues

Adult supervision required

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

Writing a letter as a soldier in the trenches of World War One

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

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