Year 11 - English
Understanding 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 presents societal and individual conflict.
Key Notes
- Kunial was born in Birmingham, to an English mother and Pakistani father.
- Kunial's poems often refer to identity and cultural heritage.
- In his poem 'Us', Kunial uses the collective pronoun to highlight how society needs to be more tolerant.
- Kunial's poem is about both divisions and togetherness.
- Although the speaker of the poem believes in unity, they admit this is difficult with their personal relationships.
Vocabulary To Learn
- societal divisions: differences within society based on class, race, religion, or other factors
- unity: working together; joined as a whole
- fluid: flexible, adaptable; capable of flowing or changing shape easily
- abstract: existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence
- concrete: opposite of abstract; something clear and specific you can see, feel or sense
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- The speaker of the poem wants everyone to be more tolerant and united.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
Kunial was born in Birmingham, to an English mother and Pakistani father. Kunial's poems often refer to identity and cultural heritage.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'societal divisions'
differences within society based on class, race, religion, or other factors.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: The speaker of the poem wants everyone to be more tolerant and united. Correction: Although the speaker does claim to want this, he does also confess that he finds it challenging at times, especially when it comes to his personal relationship with "you".
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
- Analysing the poem 'Us' by Zaffar Kunial 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
- Writing an extended and developed response on Edexcel's 'Belonging' poetry Study Guide
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