Performing Maya Angelou's ‘Still I Rise’
I can perform one stanza of Maya Angelou's 'Still I Rise' with a focus on conveying the speaker's power.
Performing Maya Angelou's ‘Still I Rise’
I can perform one stanza of Maya Angelou's 'Still I Rise' with a focus on conveying the speaker's power.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- There is a contrast between the way the speaker and those who have oppressed her are presented in 'Still I Rise'.
- When performing a poem, you should consider how you want to engage with your audience.
- You should make informed decisions about the pace, volume and tone of your voice.
- You should aim to know your material off by heart so you can look at the audience most of the time.
Keywords
Resilient - being able to cope, withstand and recover from difficult physical or mental challenge
Oppress - to treat someone, or a group of people, unfairly
Project - to speak loudly and clearly
Common misconception
Performing poetry is just about reading it aloud.
Watching people perform poetry is very popular. The most engaging performers carefully consider how they will say the poem, and how they will engage with their audiences.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of 'Still I Rise' by Maya Angelou published by Penguin Random House in 1978.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of sexual content
- Risk assessment required - physical activity
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
6 Questions
lively, bold, cheeky
downhearted
resentful, angry, hurt
in pieces, severely damaged
proud
speaker says she's been treated like "dirt" but she’s still "sassy"
compares herself to "suns"; asks if oppressors want to see her broken
speaker says she is full of laughter, despite being attacked
speaker says she is sexy, "dances" to show her valuable body
speaker compares herself to an "ocean"; direct references to slavery
compares herself to a "dream" and repeats the title over and over