Analysing 'Valentine' by Carol Ann Duffy
I can analyse how Duffy uses language, form and structure to present the speaker’s views on love.
Analysing 'Valentine' by Carol Ann Duffy
I can analyse how Duffy uses language, form and structure to present the speaker’s views on love.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- In the beginning of the poem, love is presented as nurturing, caring and pure - it brings connection and intimacy.
- Duffy presents love as something that many people strive to protect - something precious and valuable.
- Duffy explores the darker side of love, suggesting that love can have an irreversible and harmful effect.
- Duffy defies romanticised presentations of love; presenting us with a realistic portrayal of love that is often ignored.
Keywords
Lethal - serious or dangerous enough to cause death
Inevitable - certain to happen - unavoidable
Tone - the poet’s attitude towards the subject matter
To romanticise - to view something in an unrealistic or idealistic way
Marginalised - to treat someone or something as though they/it are not important
Common misconception
Pupils might think that the poet does not support the idea of love.
In the poem, the speaker is expressing their love for their partner. The speaker does support love, and acknowledges the benefits it can bring - they just also acknowledge the great harm it can cause.
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Analysing 'Valentine' by Carol Ann Duffy, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Analysing 'Valentine' by Carol Ann Duffy, 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.
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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 Poetry anthology unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the Eduqas poetry anthology for this lesson.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
serious or dangerous enough to cause death
certain to happen - unavoidable
the poet’s attitude towards the subject matter
to view something in an unrealistic or idealistic way
to treat someone or something as though they/it are not important