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Year 11
AQA

Analysing the poem 'Singh Song!' by Daljit Nagra

I can explore how Nagra conveys a joyful relationship which subverts expectations.

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Year 11
AQA

Analysing the poem 'Singh Song!' by Daljit Nagra

I can explore how Nagra conveys a joyful relationship which subverts expectations.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Arguably, Nagra uses anaphora to depict the speaker's joyful and equitable relationship with his wife.
  2. Arguably, Nagra uses a simile to euphemistically convey the speaker's intimacy with his wife.
  3. Arguably, Nagra uses contrast to show how the couple find romance in the mundanity of their lives.
  4. Arguably, Nagra uses imagery to convey the conflict between the unconventional wife and more traditional parents.

Keywords

  • Equity - the quality of being fair

  • Anaphora - a device where the same word or phrase is repeated several times at the start of a sentence

  • Mundane - very ordinary and therefore not interesting

  • Punglish - a colloquial term for language that is a mixture of Punjabi and English

  • Playful - light-hearted; fond of games and amusement

Common misconception

The poem doesn't rhyme.

Although the poem doesn't follow a conventional and predictable rhyme scheme, it does have some irregular and half rhymes (e.g. "chapatti" and "chutney"). This structure imitates the playful and joyous content of the poem.


To help you plan your year 11 english lesson on: Analysing the poem 'Singh Song!' by Daljit Nagra, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

The poem is written in 'Punglish' imitating a South Asian accent. The poem is written phonetically in this way - consider how you wish to read through the poem. There are recordings of Nagra himself reading the poem which may be useful.
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Teacher tip
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Equipment

You will need access to a copy of 'Singh Song!' by Daljit Nagra which can be found in the AQA 'Love and Relationships' Anthology.

content-guidance

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sexual content
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Supervision

Adult supervision required

copyright

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), 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.
Who wrote the poem 'Singh Song!'?
Correct Answer: Daljit Nagra, Nagra
Q2.
Which of the below statements about the author of 'Singh Song!' are true?
Correct answer: He was born in the UK to Punjabi Sikh parents.
He was born in Pakistan to Punjabi Sikh parents.
Correct answer: His poems often include 'Punglish' - a mix of Punjabi and English.
Correct answer: He spent time working in his parents' convenience store.
He originally had the surname 'Singh' but changed it later in life.
Q3.
The poem 'Singh Song!' is framed as an extended speech given by Singh himself. As such it is a ...
Correct answer: dramatic monologue.
ballad.
sonnet.
epic.
elegy.
Q4.
'The title 'Singh Song!' is a on the phrase 'sing song', which refers to sound that is rhythmic and pleasing. This could indicate the poem is fun or light-hearted.'
metaphor
euphemism
Correct answer: pun
paradox
motif
Q5.
Alex said: 'Conflict really comes across as a key theme of the poem 'Singh Song!'. What type of conflict is most pronounced in the poem?
Correct answer: generational conflict
romantic conflict
internal conflict
supernatural conflict
violent conflict
Q6.
In 'Singh Song!', Singh's wife can be described as unconventional and with an 'acrimonious' relationship with Singh's parents. What evidence from the poem supports this?
Correct answer: She wears clothes that are both Punjabi and Western in style.
Correct answer: She appears to run a dating website of some kind.
Correct answer: She often argues with Singh's parents.
She too works in the shop.
She encourages Singh to distance himself from his parents.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Nagra's poem 'Singh Song!' blends elements of English with elements of Punjabi. What is the colloquial term for this language?
Correct Answer: Punglish, 'Punglish'
Q2.
In 'Singh Song!', Singh seems to relish in the simple act of sharing food with his wife. As such, this celebrates the side of their love.
Correct answer: mundane
passionate
equitable
volatile
playful
Q3.
In 'Singh Song!', Nagra begins several stanzas with the same word or phrase. What is the name for this language device?
Correct Answer: anaphora
Q4.
Starting with the first, put these events from the poem 'Singh Song!' in chronological order.
1 - Introduces the speaker who runs one of his dad's shops.
2 - When no one is around he locks up and goes upstairs to see his wife.
3 - They share food and make love.
4 - His customers grow frustrated calling it the 'worst' shop in the town.
5 - He hears his wife upstairs, where she runs a dating site.
6 - His wife wears both Western and Punjabi dress and argues with his parents.
7 - At night Singh and his wife visit the shop alone and exchange romantic comments.
Q5.
'Singh Song!' alludes to some potential conflict between Singh's wife and his parents. What does the poem suggest may be the cause of this tension?
Correct answer: She swears at his parents.
Singh's parents did not want him to marry her.
She is from a different religion to Singh and his parents.
Correct answer: Singh's wife has an unconventional style - mixing Western and Punjabi clothes.
Correct answer: She runs an online dating agency - a job Singh's parents may find surprising.
Q6.
Which of the following would be reasonable ways in which we could develop our ideas in our writing?
Correct answer: explain the effect on the reader
Correct answer: analyse the language more closely
Correct answer: give an alternative interpretation
Correct answer: link to context
give a brief sumary of the poem's content

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