Year 6 - English
Exploring imagery in 'The City of my birth' by Karl Nova
Poetry of place
Study Hub
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, 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 explain the effect of imagery in a poem.
Key Notes
- 'The City of my birth' is a poem written by Karl Nova, published in his 2017 collection 'Rhythm and Poetry'.
- Imagery refers to the use of language that evokes vivid pictures in the reader's mind.
- In the poem, Nova uses visual language to paint a vivid picture of London for the reader.
- The atmosphere that Nova creates is one of a busy, energetic and joyful city.
- Nova's poetry is influenced by hip-hop culture and it has a natural rhythm and flow.
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
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may not know what free verse poems are.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
'The City of my birth' is a poem written by Karl Nova, published in his 2017 collection 'Rhythm and Poetry'. Imagery refers to the use of language that evokes vivid pictures in the reader's mind.
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 not know what free verse poems are. Correction: Explain that free verse poems have no fixed rhyme scheme or structure. However, this doesn't mean they can't include rhyming words.
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 'London' by William Blake 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
Browse all guides in the Year 6 English guide library.