Year 11 - English
Analysing the Poem 'Tissue' by Imtiaz Dharker
Power and conflict poetry continued
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupis read and analyse three more poems from the 'Power and Conflict' anthology. Pupils complete two lessons about each poem: one on understanding and one on analysis. At the end of the unit, pupils analyse themes from across the anthology and write a sophisticated comparative essay,
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain how Dharker presents her attitude to power in 'Tissue'.
Key Notes
- Paper is presented as seemingly important to our lives but is ultimately insignificant.
- This free verse poem, without regular rhyme, reflects the unsteady nature of tissue, power and the transience of life.
- The early focus is on paper 'tissue' and its connection to human power. The latter focus is on human 'tissue' and life.
- The poem uses an extended metaphor throughout, comparing 'tissue' to human life.
Vocabulary To Learn
- free verse: poetry that does not rhyme or have a regular rhythm
- quatrain: a stanza in a poem consisting of four lines
- extended metaphor: a type of metaphor that is developed throughout a piece of writing
- transient: something lasting for a short time only (life can be described as transient)
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- The poem has a regular, repetitive structure of nine, unrhyming quatrains.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
Paper is presented as seemingly important to our lives but is ultimately insignificant. This free verse poem, without regular rhyme, reflects the unsteady nature of tissue, power and the transience of life.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'free verse'
poetry that does not rhyme or have a regular rhythm.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: The poem has a regular, repetitive structure of nine, unrhyming quatrains. Correction: Although most of the poem is written in this way, there is a sudden and sharp break to this form with the final stanza being a single line. You may wish to discuss this with your class (learning cycle 2 discusses the significance of this break).
More Lessons In This Unit
- 'Power and Conflict' poetry: writing a sophisticated comparative response Study Guide
- Analysing the Poem 'Checking Out Me History' Study Guide
- Analysing the poem 'The Emigree' Study Guide
- Comparing 'Checking Out Me History' and 'The Émigrée' Study Guide
- Comparing 'Tissue' with other poems Study Guide
- Exploring theme, message and intent across the 'Power and Conflict' anthology Study Guide
- Refining comparative essay writing Study Guide
- Revising key themes in the 'Power and Conflict' anthology Study Guide
- Understanding the poem 'Checking Out Me History' Study Guide
- Understanding the poem 'The Emigree' Study Guide
- Understanding the Poem 'Tissue' by Imtiaz Dharker Study Guide
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