Year 6 - English
Exploring imagery in 'London' by William Blake
Poetry of place
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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, pupils read, respond to and perform classic and contemporary poetry about a range of settings. They explore imagery and form, whilst developing personal responses and comparing poems. Finally, pupils write their own poem about a place of significance.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to describe some of the key imagery used in the poem.
Key Notes
- Imagery refers to the use of language that evokes vivid mental pictures in the reader's mind.
- In the poem 'London', William Blake uses sensory language to paint a vivid image.
- Sounds are important in the poem, such as the "infant's cry of fear" and the "chimney-sweeper's cry".
- The use of negative sounds in the poem creates a noisy and unpleasant impression of the city.
- Different kinds of language have different effects.
Vocabulary To Learn
- imagery: the use of vivid and sensory language that appeals to the reader's senses, creating vivid mental pictures and enhancing the emotional impact of the poem
- atmosphere: the feeling or mood created in a section or whole of a text
- visual: relating to the sense of sight
- aural: relating to the sense of hearing
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may find identifying examples of imagery/language challenging.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
Imagery refers to the use of language that evokes vivid mental pictures in the reader's mind. In the poem 'London', William Blake uses sensory language to paint a vivid image.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'imagery'
the use of vivid and sensory language that appeals to the reader's senses, creating vivid mental pictures and enhancing the emotional impact of the poem.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils may find identifying examples of imagery/language challenging. Correction: Pupils could use the modelled examples and further discuss the imagery and language used in those examples.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Comparing two poems on similar themes, 'Richmond Park' & 'The Old Farmer's Song' Study Guide
- Developing background knowledge about 'London' by William Blake Study Guide
- Exploring form in 'London' by William Blake Study Guide
- Exploring imagery in 'Eastbourne' by Joseph Coelho Study Guide
- Exploring imagery in 'The City of my birth' by Karl Nova Study Guide
- Exploring impact in 'London' by William Blake Study Guide
- Performing the poem 'London' by William Blake Study Guide
- Performing the poem 'The City of my birth' by Karl Nova Study Guide
- Reading and responding to 'No. 115 Dreams' by Jackie Kay Study Guide
- Reading and responding to 'Tempest Avenue' by Ian McMillan Study Guide
- Writing a poem about a place Study Guide
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