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Year 8

Exploring Maya Angelou’s use of figurative language

I can explore and evaluate Angelou’s use of figurative language across two poems: ‘Equality’ and ‘Phenomenal Woman’.

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Year 8

Exploring Maya Angelou’s use of figurative language

I can explore and evaluate Angelou’s use of figurative language across two poems: ‘Equality’ and ‘Phenomenal Woman’.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Figurative language sees writers use non-literal words and phrases to develop complex ideas about something, or someone.
  2. Maya Angelou uses figurative language in ‘Equality’ to develop complex ideas about the speaker and society.
  3. Angelou uses figurative language in many of her poems.
  4. When comparing poems, using words like 'more' or 'less' can be helpful.

Keywords

  • Literal - factual, exact

  • Figurative language - non-literal words and phrases which develop a writer's meaning

  • Oppress - to treat someone, or a group of people, unfairly

Common misconception

Figurative language is a synonym for a metaphor or simile.

Metaphor and simile are both specific examples of figurative language. Figurative language is a broader term. Allusion, personification and hyperbole are other common examples of figurative language.

Consider how you will reread both poems in this lesson. How can you develop the idea that rereading is a valuable and enjoyable skill? You could consider watching Angelou perform both poems or asking pupils to read in groups if they are confident with the poems' language and ideas.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You need access to a copy of 'Equality' by Maya Angelou published by Penguin Random House in 1990 and 'Phenomenal Woman' by Maya Angelou published by Penguin Random House in 1978.

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
  • Depiction or discussion of sexual content

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
In Maya Angelou's 'Equality', which words develop the idea that the speaker is accusing her oppressors of wrong doing? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
Correct answer: "you"
"I"
"free"
"equality"
Correct answer: "confess"
Q2.
Which of these words are synonyms for 'literal'? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
metaphorical
Correct answer: factual
Correct answer: true
mythological
argument
Q3.
Which of these words are antonyms for 'literal'? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
word-for-word
accurate
Correct answer: metaphorical
Correct answer: figurative
disliteral
Q4.
Match each Maya Angelou poem to the date they were first published ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
Correct Answer:'Phenomenal Woman' and 'Still I Rise',1978

1978

Correct Answer:'Caged Bird',1983

1983

Correct Answer:'Equality' ,1990

1990

Correct Answer:'Life Doesn't Frighten Me',1993

1993

Q5.
Match each stanza from Maya Angelou's 'Equality' to its focus ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
Correct Answer:Stanza 1 ,speaker accuses her oppressors of not hearing or seeing her properly

speaker accuses her oppressors of not hearing or seeing her properly

Correct Answer:Stanza 2, 5, 8 ,refrain

refrain

Correct Answer:Stanza 3,the speaker describes herself as a "shadow" in society’s eyes

the speaker describes herself as a "shadow" in society’s eyes

Correct Answer:Stanza 4,speaker references enslavement but says she is looking to the future

speaker references enslavement but says she is looking to the future

Correct Answer:Stanza 6,speaker commands her oppressors to "admit" to their wrong doing

speaker commands her oppressors to "admit" to their wrong doing

Correct Answer:Stanza 7,speaker commands her oppressors to "hear" her demands

speaker commands her oppressors to "hear" her demands

Q6.
Match each stanza from Maya Angelou's 'Phenomenal Woman' to its focus ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
Correct Answer:Stanza 1,speaker explains that women don't believe her confidence in her body

speaker explains that women don't believe her confidence in her body

Correct Answer:Stanza 2,speaker describes how people react when she walks into a room

speaker describes how people react when she walks into a room

Correct Answer:Stanza 3,refrain

refrain

Correct Answer:Stanza 4,speaker reveals men don't understand why they are so attracted to her

speaker reveals men don't understand why they are so attracted to her

Correct Answer:Stanza 5,speaker explains that she is "proud" of herself, and we should be too

speaker explains that she is "proud" of herself, and we should be too

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
In Maya Angelou's 'Equality', the speaker beats " " to signal her desire for equality. ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
Correct Answer: drums
Q2.
What is figurative language? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
literal language
each word of a poem
language that rhymes
Correct answer: non-literal language
Q3.
In Maya Angelou's 'Equality', what does the speaker command her oppressors to do in the final three stanzas?
"march" with her
"stand" before her
Correct answer: "hear" her demands
Correct answer: "admit" their wrong doing
"confess" how they have oppressed her
Q4.
In Maya Angelou's 'Equality', the speaker stands before her oppressors…? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
"joyfully"
"marchingly"
"literally"
Correct answer: "boldly"
"hopefully"
Q5.
Which of these references to Maya Angelou's poems ('Phenomenal Woman' and 'Equality') are examples of figurative language? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
Correct answer: 'Equality' – the speaker feels like a "shadow"
Correct answer: 'Equality' – the speaker is "marching" towards a more equal future
'Phenomenal Woman' – the speaker confuses "pretty" woman
Correct answer: 'Phenomenal Woman' – the speaker's feet are filled with "joy"
'Phenomenal Woman' – the speaker "walks" into rooms
Q6.
In Maya Angelou's 'Equality', the speaker says she feels like a " " in the eyes of society (Stanza three). ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
Correct Answer: shadow