There are several overlapping themes in the ‘Power and Conflict’ anthology.
A message is an important idea in a text that the writer wants to tell people about.
A poet’s intent is the reason they have for writing a text.
Using evaluative verbs can help you make meaningful comments about a writer’s intent.

Common misconception

Students may assume that writing about how the poet wants the reader to feel is enough when writing about intent.

To add sophistication and criticality to writing, evaluative verbs can be very effective when discussing the writer's intent.

Keywords

Theme - the main subject/ideas in a piece of writing
Message - an important idea in a text that the writer wants to tell people about
Intent - the reason someone has for writing a text
Evaluative verb - a verb that demonstrates an opinion on something

Create a class word bank for evaluative verbs and display it somewhere central so that students can use it for their analytical writing across different units.

Teacher tip

Equipment

You will need access to a copy of the AQA Power and Conflict Anthology for this lesson.

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

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).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.

Starting with the first, put the 'Power and Conflict' poems in order of when they were published.

1 - 'Ozymandias'

2 - 'Exposure'

3 - 'Bayonet Charge'

4 - 'Kamikaze'

Q2.

Match the poem to the most appropriate theme shown.

Correct Answer:'Ozymandias',power of nature

power of nature

Correct Answer:'Poppies',grief

grief

Correct Answer:'Remains',trauma

trauma

Correct Answer:'Checking Out Me History',identity

identity

Q3.

Which theme does not apply to 'Extract from the Prelude'?

Correct answer: grief

power of nature

pride

Q4.

In 'My Last Duchess', Browning uses dramatic monologue to expose the Duke's flaws, perhaps to...

praise the patriarchal systems in the Victorian era.

Correct answer: criticise the patriarchal systems in the Victorian era.

celebrate the institutional power of the elite classes in the Victorian era.

Q5.

Which poems from the 'Power and Conflict' anthology show the ephemeral and/or limited power of mankind?

'Poppies', 'Checking Out Me History' and 'Bayonet Charge'

'Exposure', 'Kamikaze' and 'London'

Correct answer: 'Ozymandias', 'My Last Duchess' and 'Extract from the Prelude'

Q6.

Which poem from the 'Power and Conflict' anthology is the odd one out in terms of message and intent?

'Exposure'

'Bayonet Charge'

Correct answer: 'Checking Out Me History'

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.

Match the key term to the correct definition.

Correct Answer:Message,an important idea in a text that the writer wants to tell

an important idea in a text that the writer wants to tell

Correct Answer:Intent,the reason someone has for writing a text

the reason someone has for writing a text

Correct Answer:Theme,the main subject/ideas in a piece of writing

the main subject/ideas in a piece of writing

Q2.

Which theme links ‘Ozymandias’, ‘Extract from the Prelude’ and ‘Kamikaze’?

oppression

Correct answer: power of nature

reality of conflict

Q3.

When exploring the theme of ‘oppression’, which poem could be considered the odd one out?

'London'

'My Last Duchess'

Correct answer: 'Poppies'

Q4.

For a poem that shows nature’s omnipotence and human inferiority, the poet’s intention might be to…

criticise authority figures.

Correct answer: mock and warn against human pride.

encourage rebellion.

Q5.

Which theme links ‘Exposure’, ‘Bayonet Charge’ and ‘Charge of the Light Brigade’?

grief

power of nature

Correct answer: horrors of war

identity

Q6.

Poems that have the message that 'each individual can reclaim power over their identity after hardship', may have been written to...

criticise propaganda.

mock human and warn against pride.

Correct answer: encourage self-discovery.