Unseen Poetry - Lesson 5 (Comparison)

LO: How do I compare language, form and structure used by writers to create meanings and effects?

A complete lesson including starter, unseen poems, exam question, model responses, plenary that explores a Paper 2-style AQA English Literature unseen poetry question based on the following poems: Grace Hazard Conkling: Cedars and Nicolaus Lenau: The Oak-Wood.

Powerpoint: 15 slides.

AQA English Lit Paper 2 Section C Unseen Poetry

Purpose of unit of work: To master questions 27.1 and 27.2

Form: Exam paper responses

Assessment Objectives:

• AO1 - Read, understand and respond to texts, maintaining a critical style and developing an informed personal response, using textual references including quotations to support and illustrate interpretations (12 marks).
• AO2 - Analyse the language, form and structure used by a writer to create meanings and effects, using relevant subject terminology where appropriate (12 marks).
• AO2 - Comparison of AO2 (8 marks)

STIMULATE AND GENERATE
Focus on engagement, discussion and building cultural capital

CAPTURE, SIFT AND SORT
Sifting the outcomes from the first phase to fit where we are heading. What skills do pupils need to learn in order to be successful in the next phase?
Focus on teaching, modelling and developing key skills and processes linked to success criteria

CREATE, REFINE AND EVALUATE
More independent application of skills learnt. This is the stage that needs most differentiation and allows/enables writers to work at different rates and pitches. Self, peer and teacher review happens throughout this phrase.
Write extended responses to exam questions, provide feedback and refine work

Starter: Which words make the forest sound MYSTERIOUS? Which words make the forest sound SACRED?

Key question: What language form and structural techniques can I compare?

Unseen poems: Read both poems: Grace Hazard Conkling: Cedars and Nicolaus Lenau: The Oak-Wood¬ – 7 steps to read and understand

Exam question: In Cedars and The Oak-Wood the speakers describe the woods. What are the similarities and/or differences between the ways the woods are presented?

How do I structure my poetry comparison essay?: 5 steps

Task: Comparison table.

The structure of a comparative paragraph: Go through points.

I DO: Model comparative paragraph (first half).

YOU DO: Use this model to help you write the second half of the comparative paragraph.

SELF-ASSESSMENT: Check the model paragraph. Now write your own paragraph comparing form and structure. What makes this comparative paragraph successful? Use the example to help you write your own comparative paragraph about a DIFFERENT method and effect.

Plenary: Peer Assessment - Read through your partner’s response. Highlight and annotate their response to show where they have demonstrated WHAT WHERE HOW WHY. Write a brief commentary below their work in which you explain the following: What went well (WWW). What do they need to do in order to improve? (EBI).