Year 11 - English
Analysing the poem 'Us' by Zaffar Kunial
Belonging 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 poems from the 'Belonging' 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 practise crafting a sophisticated comparative essay,
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain how Kunial uses language, form and structure to express his viewpoint.
Key Notes
- The speaker of the poem begins fairly sure of his views on divisions/togetherness but becomes more uncertain later on.
- Kunial uses aspirational language to show the speaker's uncertainty towards the end of the poem.
- Kunial playfully explores sounds and words which link to "us" and emphasise this as the central idea of the poem.
- There are many examples of partial rhymes, alliteration and assonance throughout the poem.
- Punctuation and line breaks are used creatively to draw attention to particular phrases or ideas.
Vocabulary To Learn
- foreground: emphasise or draw attention to something, making it prominent or central in focus
- ideals: beliefs or principles that guide behaviour and reflect our desired outcomes
- abstract: existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence
- aspirational language: language which describes goals or ambitions that one strives to achieve
- assonance: repetition of similar vowel sounds in words to create musicality or emphasis in writing
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- This poem has a clear message about togetherness and division.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
The speaker of the poem begins fairly sure of his views on divisions/togetherness but becomes more uncertain later on. Kunial uses aspirational language to show the speaker's uncertainty towards the end of the poem.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'foreground'
emphasise or draw attention to something, making it prominent or central in focus.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: This poem has a clear message about togetherness and division. Correction: This poem is an abstract exploration of the different ways divisions and togetherness affect our relationships with each other (both personal relationships and our relationships in society).
More Lessons In This Unit
- Analysing an extended and developed response on Edexcel's Belonging anthology Study Guide
- Analysing the poem 'In Wales, wanting to be Italian' by Imtiaz Dharker Study Guide
- Analysing the poem 'Kumukanda' by Kayo Chingonyi Study Guide
- Comparing attitudes to identity and longing in the Edexcel Belonging anthology Study Guide
- Comparing Chingonyi's 'Kumukanda' to other Edexcel 'Belonging' poems Study Guide
- Making connections between the poems in the Edexcel Belonging anthology Study Guide
- Planning an extended and developed response on Edexcel's Belonging poetry Study Guide
- Understanding the poem 'In Wales, wanting to be Italian' by Imtiaz Dharker Study Guide
- Understanding the poem 'Kumukanda' by Kayo Chingonyi Study Guide
- Understanding the poem 'Us' by Zaffar Kunial Study Guide
- Writing an extended and developed response on Edexcel's 'Belonging' poetry Study Guide
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