New
New
Year 11
Edexcel

Planning an extended and developed response on Edexcel 'Conflict' poetry

I can use single paragraph outlines to plan a written response.

New
New
Year 11
Edexcel

Planning an extended and developed response on Edexcel 'Conflict' poetry

I can use single paragraph outlines to plan a written response.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. It's a good idea to find thematic connections between the poems.
  2. Theoretically, you can compare any of the anthology poems but it's useful to choose two which complement each other.
  3. Thinking about why you chose to compare two poems can help you build a thesis statement.
  4. Expanding your thesis statement into 'mini-arguments' can help you to build topic sentences.
  5. A great way to build a concluding sentence is to make the opposite connections to your topic sentence.

Common misconception

It doesn't matter which two poems you choose to compare as all of them can be compared with each other.

In theory, you can compare any two poems from the anthology however it's important to remember that some have more connections than others. You should aim to select two poems with a range of connections to avoid tenuous links.

Keywords

  • Subtle - less obvious; complex and understated

  • Tenuous - weak or easily challenged; lacking strength, clarity or significance

  • Thesis statement - opening paragraph of an analytical response where you state your overarching argument

  • Topic sentence - opening sentence of an analysis paragraph where you introduce your argument

  • Conclusion - final summary of an analytical response that wraps up and reinforces main point

Before beginning the lesson, give students the same question Jun uses and encourage them to complete a planning grid as a 'cold task'. As the lesson walks them through each section, students can then reflect on any misconceptions they had about planning.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You will need access to a copy of the Edexcel GCSE Poetry Anthology ('Conflict' cluster).

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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6 Questions

Q1.
What does the word 'tenuous' mean?
Correct answer: weak or insubstantial; lacking a strong basis
unclear or open to multiple interpretations
less obvious
obvious; easy to understand
Q2.
Which of the following Edexcel Conflict anthology poems could be described as war poems?
Correct answer: 'The Man He Killed'
'Catrin'
Correct answer: 'Exposure'
Correct answer: 'The Charge of the Light Brigade'
'A Poison Tree'
Q3.
Which of these poems focus on interpersonal conflict?
'Exposure'
Correct answer: 'Cousin Kate'
'Extract from the Prelude'
Correct answer: 'Catrin'
Q4.
Which of these poems is not set in a warzone?
'Belfast Confetti'
'War Photographer'
'Charge of the Light Brigade'
Correct answer: 'Poppies'
'Exposure'
Q5.
Which of these poems explore themes related to prejudice and discrimination?
Correct answer: 'The Class Game'
'War Photographer'
Correct answer: 'No Problem'
'The Destruction of Sennacherib'
Correct answer: 'Half-caste'
Q6.
Which of these poems explore familial conflict?
'Poppies'
Correct answer: 'Cousin Kate'
'Half-caste'
'No Problem'
Correct answer: 'Catrin'

6 Questions

Q1.
Which of these questions are useful to ask yourself when deciding which two poems to compare from the Edexcel Conflict poetry anthology?
Do I like both of the poems?
Correct answer: Do these poems share similar themes or ideas?
Correct answer: Do the poets use similar tones or create similar moods?
Do both poems use lots of literary methods?
Were both poems published around the same time as each other?
Q2.
Which of these categories would we not use to group the Edexcel Conflict anthology poems?
Correct answer: Poems about nature
Poems about war
Poems about relationships with others
Poems about inner conflict
Poems about prejudice and discrimination
Q3.
What makes a good topic sentence?
leading with a comparison of literary methods
leading with a comparison of two quotations, one from each poem
lead with a comparison of the wider context of both poems
Correct answer: leading with a comparison of the key ideas or messages of each poem
Q4.
Supporting detail should aim to be ...
Correct answer: accurate.
rephrased into your own words.
Correct answer: relevant.
Correct answer: judiciously chosen.
Q5.
Which of these is good advice for building a concluding sentence?
list all of the literary methods you've identified in that paragraph
you must focus on context in your concluding sentence
make a new point that you can develop in the next paragraph
Correct answer: make the opposite connection to the one you made in your topic sentence
Q6.
In your conclusion, you should aim to ...
use some quotes you haven't previously used in your response.
Correct answer: summarise the points you've made in the response.
link your ideas to a third poem in the anthology.
Correct answer: consider why you think each writer chose to the convey their ideas in this way.
Correct answer: consider how the wider context helps to shape your interpretations.