Comparing experiences in Owen's 'Exposure' and Satyamurti's 'War Photographer'
I can describe how poets use language, form and structure to express their different experiences of war.
Comparing experiences in Owen's 'Exposure' and Satyamurti's 'War Photographer'
I can describe how poets use language, form and structure to express their different experiences of war.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Owen's authentic poem presents a first hand experience of war.
- Often first hand experiences create more harrowing poetry.
- Both poems use sensory descriptions to create a vivid impression of warzones.
- Both poets explore the atrocities of war.
- Comparative adjectives can be used to evaluate the subtle differences between the poets’ attitudes and methods.
Keywords
Firsthand - directly experienced or observed, without intermediaries or secondary sources
Mediated - experienced through an intermediary or secondary source, not directly experienced or observed
Evaluate - making a ‘value’ judgement about the quality of something (e.g. it is longer, better, more harrowing)
Sensory descriptions - detailed depictions that appeal to the senses, enhancing imagery and immersion in writing
Comparative adjectives - words used to compare differences or similarities between two or more nouns or pronouns
Common misconception
Both poems are based on a firsthand experience of war.
Only 'Exposure' is based on firsthand experience since Owen was serving as a WWI British soldier while writing. Satyamurti's poem wasn't based on any one particular person, event or conflict.
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Comparing experiences in Owen's 'Exposure' and Satyamurti's 'War Photographer', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Comparing experiences in Owen's 'Exposure' and Satyamurti's 'War Photographer', 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 'Conflict' unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You need access to a copy of ‘War Photographer’ by Carole Satyamurti and ‘Exposure’ by Wilfred Owen. These poems can be found in the Edexcel Poetry Anthology (we will be using the ‘Conflict’ cluster).
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
directly experienced or observed, without intermediaries or sources
experienced through an intermediary or secondary source, indirect
genuine, real, or true to its own nature, origin or character