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Edexcel

Exploring different types of conflict in Edexcel’s Conflict anthology

I can describe the similarities and differences between different types of conflict.

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Year 10
Edexcel

Exploring different types of conflict in Edexcel’s Conflict anthology

I can describe the similarities and differences between different types of conflict.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. There are many different types of conflict presented in the anthology.
  2. Many of the poems explore multiple types of conflict.
  3. Conflict can be internal, focused on emotions, rather than external.
  4. Creative comparisons between poems may avoid focusing on obvious similarities between types of conflict.
  5. Conflict often links to change/progress, injustice and a power imbalance.

Keywords

  • Power - control, authority, or influence over others or circumstances

  • Conflict - a disagreement or struggle between opposing forces or individuals

  • Injustice - unfair treatment or violation of rights, principles, or laws

  • Imbalance - lack of equality between opposing forces, elements, or factors

  • Interpersonal - relating to interactions or relationships between people

Common misconception

Conflict always occurs between one person and at least one other person.

Conflict can be within someone's own mind (inner conflict) and it doesn't always have to involve people at all. Powerful ideas or forces can be in conflict with one another too.


To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Exploring different types of conflict in Edexcel’s Conflict anthology, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Encourage students to discuss/identify examples of these types of conflict they can recall from outside the anthology. Attaching each type of conflict to a real-life example can make them easier for students to recall each type and differentiate between them.
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Teacher tip
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Equipment

You need access to a copy of the Edexcel Poetry Anthology (we will be using the ‘Conflict’ cluster).

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Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
  • Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
supervision-level

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.
What is conflict?
Correct answer: fighting or disagreement between two parties/forces
harmony across two parties/forces
neutrality between two parties/forces
Q2.
What is unique about poetry compared to novels?
poems use fewer words and so cannot tell a full story from beginning to end
poems use fewer words and so have more stereotypical characters
poems use fewer words and so have to always be metaphorical
Correct answer: poems use fewer words so key ideas are mostly explored in abstract ways
Q3.
How are power and conflict linked?
Correct answer: Power imbalances can lead to conflict.
To be powerful is to be hostile and cruel to others.
Those in conflict are always powerful.
They aren't linked - conflict is a negative thing whereas power is positive.
Q4.
How can environmental issues (e.g. global warming) relate to power and conflict?
They show that the environment and man are equal in power.
Correct answer: They show the environment can supersede man's power.
Correct answer: They explore the consequences of man's abuse of power over the environment.
They show that we are powerless to save the environment.
They show that people are terrified of harming the environment.
Q5.
A man is left in awe after seeing a huge craggy mountain. This example illustrates ...
the conflict between nature and humans.
Correct answer: the conflict between humans and themselves.
the conflict between humans and other humans.
the conflict between humans and change/progress.
Q6.
Two people discuss a culture that been lost to history after a war. This examples illustrates ...
the conflict between nature and humans.
the conflict between humans and themselves.
Correct answer: the conflict between humans and other humans.
the conflict between humans and change/progress.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which type of conflict is represented by this picture?
An image in a quiz
a person vs themselves
humans vs other humans
Correct answer: humans vs nature
humans vs fate/destiny
humans vs authority
Q2.
What does 'injustice' mean?
when someone is punished for doing something wrong
Correct answer: unfair treatment or violation of rights, principles, or laws
when someone punishes themselves for something they regret
when a government changes the law with consulting the people
Q3.
Inner conflict is ...
when you are scared to leave your house.
feelings towards someone else that you don't share with them.
a mild feeling of conflict.
Correct answer: when you feel conflicted within your own mind.
Q4.
The purpose of a poem about the traumatic effects of war might be ...
Correct answer: to expose the harsh reality of war; to deter the prospect of war.
to advocate for war.
to show support for one side of the war.
to emphasise how exciting war can be.
Q5.
What is interpersonal conflict?
conflict in your own mind
Correct answer: conflict with other people
conflict with nature
conflict with fate/destiny
Q6.
When exploring how a writer has presented conflict, which two of these questions are important to ask yourself?
Correct answer: What attitude do they have towards conflict?
Correct answer: How do they use language and structure to depict the conflict?
Do I agree with their views about the conflict?
Is the conflict resolved by the end of the poem?