Here are 30 questions to stimulate intellectual and persuasive writing from students. A great range of social and political issues are considered - especially those which can be easily linked to current affairs. These questions are particularly useful for those studying AQA GCSE English Language. PowerPoint saved as pdf.

A great literacy lesson for KS3 on homophones. This is an introductory exploration of homophones in an easily adaptable and interactive PowerPoint for your lesson. A worksheet (addressed at the end of the PowerPoint) is also included.

An essay on the ‘tragic’ aspects of Malvolio in ‘Twelfth Night’. Often hailed as one of Shakespeare’s greatest comic characters, critics have also flocked to point out the tragic elements of his character arc, particularly the ethical implications of the play’s repeated schadenfreude. This article aims to introduce students to the complexities of Malvolio’s character. This resource serves as a great lesson for those studying the comedic genre in relation to ‘Twelfth Night’ (particularly AQA’s Aspects of Comedy paper), but is equally as useful and engaging for those studying the play through other lenses.

What kind of king is Macbeth? The perfect holistic study of how power corrupts Macbeth in Shakespeare’s tragedy, this detailed lesson traces what happens to Macbeth after he chooses the heretical path of regicide. This is an ideal lesson for GCSE students. PowerPoint saved as PDF.

This 20-slide poem analyses Alan Gillis’ poem, ‘Bulletin from The Daily Mail’. Exploring Gillis’ use of humour to satirise how tabloid newspapers demonise supposedly anti-social members of society, this lesson deconstructs the poem’s use of hyperbole, repetition, rhyme, and - of course - language. Questions and discussion points are included around the subject of news - its dissemination, agenda, and importance to our modern society. An essay question is included for students at the end. A copy of the poem is included within the PowerPoint. PowerPoint saved as PDF.

This 18-slide stand-alone lesson explores the question: ‘Does spelling matter?’. Students are prompted to think about why spelling is so important, and the lesson demonstrates some humorous examples of how incorrect spelling might lead to some dangerous misunderstandings! We think about some tricky homophones, including effect/affect and practice/practise, and devise some methods for remembering which spelling applies to certain contexts. Students are asked to correct the spellings of various sentences and passages to consolidate their understanding. There is an opportunity for peer and self-assessment at the end of the lesson. Also included is a homophones worksheet for students to complete either in class or as a homework activity. This lesson is ideal for upper KS2 and for KS3 pupils. PowerPoint and Word Doc saved as PDFs.

This 28-slide lesson explores James Reeves’ poem, ‘The Sea’. This poem is a brilliant example of extended metaphor and poetic craft; it is a beloved staple of many Key Stage 3 poetry lessons. The lesson deconstructs Reeves’ use of metaphor and other linguistic techniques, paying attention to the poem’s rhyme and rhythm too. Biographical information about Reeves is provided, as well as a series of questions, discussion points, and tasks for students. Students are asked to write a short analytical response to the poem, and an exemplar response is included in the PowerPoint. The lesson ends with a creative writing (poetry) task that could be used either as a homework activity or class-based task. This lesson is ideal for KS3 pupils, but could be used for GCSE pupils - especially those who find poetry challenging. PowerPoint saved as PDF.

This 32-slide lesson explores William Shakespeare’s ‘Sonnet 130’. The lesson considers what we might expect typical love poetry to entail and how Shakespeare subverts our expectations. Students are prompted to question stereotypical depictions of romance and romantic imagery, and to think about how Shakespeare plays with the sonnet form itself. Questions, discussion points, and tasks are featured throughout, including an analytical ‘mini-essay’ in response to a question. The lesson ends with a creative writing (poetry) task that could be set in class or as a homework activity. This lesson is ideal for KS3. A copy of the poem (with glossary) is included.

This 25-slide lesson explores Tennyson’s poem, ‘The Eagle’. The lesson includes a zoological, historical and mythological overview of eagles, considering their connotations and status in various cultures, as well as biographical information on Tennyson. Students are presented with numerous questions, tasks, and discussion points to analyse Tennyson’s poem. Close attention is paid to Tennyson’s language and technique. Students are tasked with an analytical response to the poem (an exemplar paragraph is included) before the lesson ends on a creative writing activity (which could be used as a homework task). This lesson is ideal for KS3, but could be used to help GCSE (particularly SEND) students with poetry too. PowerPoint saved as PDF.

This 27-slide lesson explores Langston Hughes’ poem, ‘Aunt Sue’s Stories’. The lesson includes an introduction to Hughes and his cultural significance, and asks students to deconstruct the meaning and effect of stories and storytelling. The poem’s language, themes, structure and rhythm are deconstructed, and questions and tasks are featured for students throughout the lesson. At the end of the lesson, after a series of focused questions on the poem, students are asked to produce a piece of creative writing inspired by Hughes’ poem. This could be set as a homework task if lesson time is short. This lesson is ideal for KS3 pupils and deals with the important history of African-American people, as well as more general themes of identity, memory, and ancestry. PowerPoint is saved as PDF.

This 26-slide lesson explores John Donne’s ‘Death, Be Not Proud’. Against the backdrop of Donne’s own faith, this lesson explores the poem’s language, imagery, technique, and form as a meditation on fear and conquering one’s anxieties. Questions, discussion points, and tasks are included for students. The lesson ends with an extended essay question, for which some scaffolding support is provided. A copy of the poem is included. This lesson is ideal for KS3 students but could be used with GCSE sets. PowerPoint saved as PDF.

An introduction (or revision) for how to answer Section B of Paper 2 of AQA’s English Language GCSE. This part of the exam - worth a whopping 40 marks - is all about persuasive writing. This PowerPoint is designed to teach the most important strategies for tackling this question. Top tips are given for how to write effective articles, speeches, blogs and letters. Some example questions (with exemplar introductions) are included.

This 20-slide lesson explores Carol Ann Duffy’s poem, ‘War Photographer’. The lesson begins by considering the role of news and news media, before discussing our relationship with news coverage. Students are encouraged to think critically about how they interact with various news platforms and whether the globalisation of news coverage has lessened or deepened our understanding of the world. Duffy’s life and work is considered, including her friendship with prominent photojournalists. Students look at some of the work of notable real-life ‘war photographers’, considering the unique and challenging role of a photojournalist, and the ethics behind it. We read the poem and explore its language, form, structure, and rhythm. Key vocabulary is presented to students to facilitate top-grade analysis, and the poem’s main themes are discussed. A variety of discursive and formal questions are featured for students, and an exam-style essay question is included at the end. Teachers can use various stimuli to discuss the complex questions that Duffy asks about the role of photojournalism. This lesson is ideal for students ages 13+. PowerPoint saved as PDF.

This 15-slide lesson offers students an introduction to the Gothic genre of literature. The lesson explores the origins of the genre, including the etymological root of the term, early Gothic works of literature, classic Gothic conventions, and how the genre is also featured in architecture and film. A variety of Gothic images are presented to students for discussion, and key Gothic elements - including the meaning and philosophical power of fear - are unpicked. Questions, discussion points, and tasks are included for students in this very visual lesson. This lesson is ideal for KS3 students or older pupils who are studying the genre. PowerPoint saved as PDF.

This 18-slide lesson offers an introduction to Stevenson’s use of setting in ‘The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’. We consider how Stevenson’s use of setting facilitates Hyde’s dark deeds and the Gothic atmosphere of the novella. How the author’s childhood in Edinburgh influenced his depiction of Victorian London is also explored. Stevenson’s language and techniques are analysed, linked closely to the text’s overarching themes of duality and deception. Questions are included for students, too. PowerPoint saved as PDF.

This 18-slide lesson explores Tennyson’s classic poem ‘The Kraken’. Perfect as a stand-alone lesson or part of a larger scheme of work on poetry or creatures, the lesson is neatly contained with its own explanation of Tennyson’s context and accompanying tasks on the poem itself. Questions, discussion points and tasks are included for students, including extended activities at the end of the lesson. The poem’s mythos, form, and environmental themes are considered. The poem itself is included. This lesson is designed for KS3 but could easily be used with KS4 pupils who are studying poetry. PowerPoint saved as PDF.

Designed to introduce a unit on World War 1 Poetry for KS3, this 22-slide lesson includes a brief outline of the Great War and aims to teach critical vocabulary. Ideas introduced include propaganda, pacifism and patriotism. Students are encouraged to think about and analyse World War 1 propaganda. Also included for analysis is the popular wartime song: ‘Your King and Country Want You’. This lesson could also be used for a general contextual introduction to World War I in History lessons.

This is a perfect stand-alone lesson aimed at KS3 or KS4 for thinking about how language is used every day in advertising. Have you ever thought about how many adverts you read in a day? What are the most powerful words in advertising? Are you aware of when and how advertising tries to entice you? This lesson uses a wide range of adverts to demonstrate the different techniques used by advertisers. At the end of the lesson, students are tasked with creating their own advert/brand. PowerPoint saved as PDF. 23 slides in total.

This 30-slide lesson provides detailed and comprehensive analysis of Priestley’s dramatic devices throughout ‘An Inspector Calls’. Considers the role of lighting, costume, pace, entrances/exits, dramatic irony, tension, props, and much more. The clever structure of Priestley’s play is unpicked and analysed. Questions, discussion points, and tasks are included for students. This lesson is perfect for high-attaining students studying the play for GCSE. PowerPoint saved as pdf.

This 36-slide lesson explores Liz Lochhead’s ‘Poem for my Sister’. The lesson deconstructs the poem’s central extended metaphor with detailed analysis of shoe metaphors and idiomatic expressions, before delving into in-depth analysis of Lochhead’s language, structure, rhyme and form. Questions, discussion points, and tasks are included for students throughout. The lesson ends with a creative writing task which could be set in class or as a homework activity. This lesson is ideal for KS3, but could work as a practice poem for KS4 too. PowerPoint saved as PDF.