Analysing tone in an unseen poem
I can conceptualise and explain the use of tone in an unseen poem.
Analysing tone in an unseen poem
I can conceptualise and explain the use of tone in an unseen poem.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The tone of a literary work expresses the writer's attitude toward or feelings about the subject matter.
- In order to determine the tone, we might ask questions about how the poem would sound if read aloud.
- We also might ask questions about the use of punctuation, structure and language in order to determine the tone.
- We might interpret Fainlight’s ‘Borrowed Time’ as having a reflective or desperate tone.
Keywords
Mortality - refers to the state of being mortal (destined to die)
Reflective - showing or involved in careful thinking
Tone - expresses the writer's attitude toward or feelings about the subject matter and audience
Desperate - feeling or showing a hopeless sense
Frantic - distraught with fear, anxiety or other emotion
Common misconception
That the tone and mood of the poem are the same thing.
Tone refers to the attitude of the writer towards the subject matter while mood refers to the effect the writing has on the reader.
To help you plan your year 11 english lesson on: Analysing tone in an unseen poem, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 english lesson on: Analysing tone in an unseen poem, 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 4 english lessons from the Unseen poetry unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You will need a copy of Ruth Fainlight's ‘Borrowed Time’ which is available in the additional materials.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
