Y11 English: Spring 1
Relationships Poetry
What is my child doing in English this half-term?
Alongside the study of these 15 poems, they will develop techniques to approach writing about previously unseen poems; a skill which is tested within Section B of the exam.
The poetry examination is challenging and your child needs to be making the most of every single English lesson they have between now and the exam. I'm sure I don't have to remind you that time is ticking and they only have a short period of time before they will be taking their final GCSE examinations.
Revision should really have started already and it would be helpful if your child was following their own revision timetable at home. English revision classes have started on Monday evenings after school and your child will receive more information about this from their own English teacher.
If you have any concerns, questions or would like any further information to help you support your child at home, please do not hesitate to get in touch,
Mrs Amanda Lawson
Head of English
Examination Questions
The exam lasts for 1 hour 15 minutes.
Candidates answer one question, from a choice of two, on the Relationships poetry they have studied. The question will ask candidates to compare a poem named in the exam paper with another poem, chosen by the candidate, from the cluster.
(36 marks)
Section B:
Candidates are provided with a list of 15 poets and a new collection of 15 poems which brings together one poem from each poet in the list. The unseen poem, whilst selected from the list of 15 poets, will not be one of the 15 poems in the new collection.
(18 marks)
Assessment Objectives
Respond to texts critically and imaginatively; select and evaluate relevant textual detail to illustrate and support interpretations
AO2:
Explain how language, structure and form contribute to writers’ presentation of ideas, themes and settings
AO3:
Make comparisons and explain links between texts, evaluating writers’ different ways of expressing meaning and achieving effects
Key Vocabulary
Please go to the link below to find an extremely useful resource about how to approach poetry, and some definitions of key poetic terms it is beneficial for your children to know and understand.
Activities to try at home...
- Try discussing different poems at home and ask your child what they think they might be about. If you don't feel very confident with poetry yourself, try the following website to for ideas and support. http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/topics/z4nc87h
- Buy the revision guides, as detailed below, to support them in their studies.
Relationships Poetry Revision Guide:
CGP
GCSE AQA Anthology
Poetry Cluster: Relationships
ISBN: 978 1 84762 488 8
Approximate price: £5.95
Unseen Poetry Revision Guide:
CGP
GCSE AQA English
Unseen Poetry
The Poetry Guide
ISBN: 978 1 84762 325 6
Approximate price: £5.95