Skip to content
Oak National Academy
Oak National Academy
Teachers
Pupils
icon-background-square
New
New
Year 10
AQA

Writing introductions and topic sentences for poetry comparison

I can structure an effective comparative argument with a well-crafted introduction, conclusion and topic sentences.

Download all resources
arrow-right
Share activities with pupils
arrow-right
icon-background-square
New
New
Year 10
AQA

Writing introductions and topic sentences for poetry comparison

I can structure an effective comparative argument with a well-crafted introduction, conclusion and topic sentences.

Download all resources
arrow-right
Share activities with pupils
arrow-right
warning

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.
View new resources
arrow-right

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A comparative introduction should give a broad similarity in theme and nuanced differences within that similarity.
  2. A purposeful thesis should refer to the poets’ intentions or messages behind the common theme.
  3. Use comparative and correlative conjunctions to structure introductions and topic sentences.
  4. Topic sentences should lead with big ideas not the poets’ methods.

Keywords

  • Succumb - giving way to the overwhelming power of another force

  • Condemn - express complete disapproval of

  • Futility - pointlessness or uselessness

  • Incessant - something unpleasant continuing without pause or interruption

Common misconception

Topic sentences should compare language techniques, form and structure.

Topic sentences should focus on big ideas as it allows for meaningful comparison.


To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Writing introductions and topic sentences for poetry comparison, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

The learning cycles can be adapted to fit whichever poems in the anthology you are comparing.
speech-bubble
Teacher tip
equipment-required

Equipment

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

content-guidance

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
supervision-level

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

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

Skip lesson video

Loading...

Starter quiz

Download starter quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
Both William Blake and Percy Bysshe Shelley...
wrote their poems (that appear in the anthology) in the 18th century.
Correct answer: were Romantic poets.
were medieval poets.
Q2.
In 'Ozymandias', Shelley uses a __________ whereas Blake uses a __________ in 'London'.
Correct answer: sonnet, dramatic monologue
dramatic monologue, sonnet
ballad, dramatic monologue
Q3.
Which of the below provides an accurate definition of what it means to 'compare'?
Correct answer: estimate similarity or difference between two or more things
say how two things are alike
say how two things are different
Q4.
What is a topic sentence?
an overarching argument about something that appears in the introduction
a sentence that appears in your conclusion to summarise your argument
Correct answer: a sentence that introduces an idea in each main body paragraph
Q5.
What is one similarity between the poems 'Ozymandias' and 'London'?
they both suggest how humans should be in awe of nature
Correct answer: they both show how institutions abuse their power
they both advocate for human power
Q6.
What is one difference between the poems 'Ozymandias' and 'London'?
'Ozymandias' advocates for freedom whereas 'London' does not
'Ozymandias' shows the struggle of nature; 'London' shows the power of nature
Correct answer: 'Ozymandias' depicts one tyrant; 'London' depicts numerous corrupt institutions

Exit quiz

Download exit quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
When comparing 'Ozymandias' and 'London', why is it important to consider that Shelley and Blake were both Romantic poets?
they both wrote poems about love
Correct answer: they both reject powerful institutions
they are both fascinated with the past
Q2.
'Ozymandias' depicts the __________ nature of human power, whereas 'London' depicts the __________ nature of human power.
incessant, ephemeral
Correct answer: ephemeral, incessant
incessant, transient
Q3.
What should you do at the end of a comparative introduction?
narrow down on the similarities in both poems in relation to big ideas
write a sentence about both poems/poets exploring overarching similarity
Correct answer: explore nuanced differences within the poem's similarities
Q4.
Which sentence uses a comparative conjunction to create a valid comparison between 'Ozymandias' and 'London'?
Correct answer: Whereas 'Ozymandias' has a mocking tone, 'London' has lamenting tone.
'London' has a sarcastic tone, however 'Ozymandias' has a triumphant tone.
'Ozymandias' and 'London' explore how nature prevails over human power.
Q5.
What can be improved about this topic sentence: 'Ozymandias' merges two sonnet forms whereas 'London' uses ABAB rhyme scheme to show the rigidity of power.'?
it needs to use correlative conjunctions, rather than comparative
Correct answer: it should discuss a big idea rather than literary methods
it must use the word 'power' or 'conflict'
Q6.
How do both 'Ozymandias' and 'London' show man-made power succumbing to nature?
The statue crumbles in 'Ozymandias'; the river becomes unchartered in 'London'.
Correct answer: Sands overpower Ozymandias' statue; marriage fails due to desire in 'London'.
Ozymandias' statue withers; people overthrow the monarchy in 'London'.