Power and Conflict: Poetry Anthology Activity Pack for GCSE AQA

for GCSE English Literature

Thematic areas:
  1. suffering
  2. direct conflict
  3. conflict with nature
  4. war and memory
  5. identity
  6. power and control
  7. fragility

Conquer the challenge poetry presents and enthuse your class with creative ideas. Give your students a head start on the exam with a structure which focuses on comparison – and cross-references all activities to the AOs.

  1. Getting into the Poems

    Students make links between poems, learning to see through the lens of technique, theme, tone, setting and character.

    A practical solution to comparing poetry which is on the surface starkly different, and an invaluable analysis skill for Sections B and C!


  2. The Poems
    • Structured to spur comparison, the poems are grouped into seven thematic areas
    • Focused on key concepts such as symbolism, setting and context
    • Suitable for all skill levels – differentiated poem-by-poem questions and extension activities stretch and support the entire class
      • Collapsed texts deconstruct poems for easier analysis
      • The basics summarise essential content
      • Recon offers a fly-over analysis
      • Poem-by-poem questions consolidate learning
      • Get creative! Explores POV, flashbacks, metaphor, and more
      • Technique focus models complex topics with linked tasks
      • Exam tips explain essay essentials

  3. After Studying the Poems

    Practise and put everything into perspective with exemplar questions, a question generator, and example essay with examiner’s comments and AO annotations.


Plus! Full indicative content and exam information provided.

What do teachers have to say about this resource? (7520)
'Wow! I was absolutely blown away by the level of detail in this resource. The variety of tasks provided is immense and it really is a very comprehensive activity pack that will provide value for money. It clearly focuses on the specification and provides high level analysis of all the poems. It clearly links to the specification... If students completed all of the tasks they would have an excellent understanding of all the poems. It is a resource that will allow teachers to select the bits that will work best with their own students and has enough options so teaching this element could never become dull or boring! A really fantastic resource that would be a valuable addition to any teacher or department.' L Deighton, Head of English and Independent Reviewer
‘Well-tailored to the exam. AOs stated at the start so it is focused right from the start. An excellent resource, very thorough, closely linked to the exam, an excellent range of tasks covering a wide variety of learning styles/preferences. Individual tasks on each of the poems build up learners understanding of the poems both individually and also as groups very well. They also help pupils to learn about how to approach a poem and what to explore and therefore will work well with preparing them for the unseen poetry too.’ – H Down, English Teacher and Independent Reviewer
'This resource is excellent. At a time when teachers are under ever increasing pressures with new grading systems and changes in specifications, this resource offers teachers a comprehensive activity pack that is student friendly, differentiated and has clear links to assessment objectives throughout.' - J Sharrock, Teacher and Independent Reviewer
'This is the most amazingly comprehensive resource I have ever seen! It provided everything. There is both information and analysis in a variety of formats, many tasks for each individual poem, many thematic links between poems and to the historical context; it is bursting with material. The sheer variety of activities is gobsmacking, and a lot of the participatory ones are almost like games. Pupils will love them! The clustering of the poems by theme as the resource’s major organizational mode is extremely helpful. Clearly link[s] the resource with the sections of the exam. Admirably suited to the age group. No teacher would require any other assistance in teaching these poems.' - J Clarke, English Teacher and Independent Reviewer