Year 11 - English
Comparing 'Checking Out Me History' and 'The Émigrée'
Power and conflict poetry continued
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Study Guides
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 compare how Agard and Rumens present conflict and identity in their poems.
Key Notes
- Both 'The Émigrée' and 'Checking Out Me History' explore big ideas of oppression, power and identity.
- Both poems criticise oppressive systems due to the detrimental effect they can have on identity.
- Both poets reconnect with their heritage: Rumens personifying her country and Agard telling stories in his dialect.
- Both poems use the motif of light to show the power of personal identity.
- Both poets ultimately reveal how one can reclaim their sense of identity.
Vocabulary To Learn
- oppression: cruel or unfair treatment
- triumph: to defeat someone or something
- heritage: a person's racial, religious or cultural background
- reclaim: to take back something that was yours
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may notice the theme of oppression in 'The Émigrée' due to the mention of war, but not notice this in 'Checking Out Me History'.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
Both 'The Émigrée' and 'Checking Out Me History' explore big ideas of oppression, power and identity. Both poems criticise oppressive systems due to the detrimental effect they can have on identity.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'oppression'
cruel or unfair treatment.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils may notice the theme of oppression in 'The Émigrée' due to the mention of war, but not notice this in 'Checking Out Me History'. Correction: 'Checking Out Me History' explores how Agard presents colonisation and its effects as oppressive.
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
- Analysing the Poem 'Tissue' by Imtiaz Dharker 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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