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’.
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’.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Figurative language sees writers use non-literal words and phrases to develop complex ideas about something, or someone.
- Maya Angelou uses figurative language in ‘Equality’ to develop complex ideas about the speaker and society.
- Angelou uses figurative language in many of her poems.
- 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.
To help you plan your year 8 english lesson on: Exploring Maya Angelou’s use of figurative language, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 8 english lesson on: Exploring Maya Angelou’s use of figurative language, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 english lessons from the Single poet study: Maya Angelou unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
1978
1983
1990
1993
speaker accuses her oppressors of not hearing or seeing her properly
refrain
the speaker describes herself as a "shadow" in society’s eyes
speaker references enslavement but says she is looking to the future
speaker commands her oppressors to "admit" to their wrong doing
speaker commands her oppressors to "hear" her demands
speaker explains that women don't believe her confidence in her body
speaker describes how people react when she walks into a room
refrain
speaker reveals men don't understand why they are so attracted to her
speaker explains that she is "proud" of herself, and we should be too