Finding my own voice: planning a poem inspired by Maya Angelou | English

Starter quiz

Which theme (big idea) did Angelou decide would be the focus of her poem, 'On the Pulse of the Morning'? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
- birds
- confidence
- aging
- work
- America ✓
What are some of the big ideas that can be found in many of Angelou's poems? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
- war
- oppression ✓
- Britain
- education
- equality ✓
Angelou's poem 'Caged Bird' was inspired by which other poem? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
- 'Empathy'
- 'I know why the caged bird sings!'
- 'Sympathy' ✓
- 'Equality'
- 'Free Bird'
Angelou's 'Caged Bird' was inspired by Paul Laurence Dunbar's 'Sympathy'. What method particularly inspired her? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
- Dunbar's use of refrain
- Dunbar's use of repetition
- Dunbar's use of contrast
- Dunbar's use of extended metaphor ✓
Which of these Angelou poems make use of a refrain? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
- 'On Aging'
- 'Woman Work'
- 'Life Doesn't Frighten Me' ✓
- 'Equality' ✓
- 'On the Pulse of the Morning'
Match each Maya Angelou poem to its main focus ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
- 'On Aging'
  
  ⇔
  
  an older speaker demands respect, not pity ✓
- 'On the Pulse of the Morning'
  
  ⇔
  
  a speaker reflects on America's past and future ✓
- 'Phenomenal Woman'
  
  ⇔
  
  a confident speaker explains why she is extraordinary ✓
- 'Caged Bird'
  
  ⇔
  
  an extended metaphor explores the effects of segregation ✓
- 'Life Doesn't Frighten Me'
  
  ⇔
  
  speaker lists scary things but says she's not frightened ✓
- 'Still I Rise'
  
  ⇔
  
  forthright speaker explains why she will overcome any adversity ✓

Exit quiz

What is the name for a group of lines in a poem? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
- refrains
- choruses
- paragraphs
- stanzas ✓
Match each method to its definition ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
- refrain
  
  ⇔
  
  a repeated line or lines throughout a poem ✓
- commands
  
  ⇔
  
  orders ✓
- contrast
  
  ⇔
  
  placing two things side by side to emphasise their differences ✓
Match each word to its definition ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
- inspired
  
  ⇔
  
  doing something after being filled with ideas from something/someone ✓
- defiant
  
  ⇔
  
  boldly disobedient ✓
- phenomenal
  
  ⇔
  
  extraordinary, remarkable ✓
- resilient
  
  ⇔
  
  able to keep going despite hardship ✓
Which of these are examples of writer's methods? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
- use of figurative language ✓
- use of ideas
- use of analysis
- use of contrast ✓
- use of refrain ✓
Which sentence makes use of commands? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
- I see you pitying me.
- We can be better!
- Admit that you hurt me. ✓
- I want respect and equality.
Which sentences use direct address? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
- She wanted Americans to look towards their future.
- You must hear my cry: we need equality. ✓
- I am a remarkable woman, and it's time you saw that.
- I'll never stop demanding freedom.
- The bird in the cage sang loudly.

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Lesson Details

Key learning points

When writing a poem inspired by a particular writer, their ideas and / or methods might inspire you.
You could use Angelou's writing routine to spark your creativity e.g. generating ideas about a particular theme.
When selecting which methods you want to use in a poem, consider how each method will help you convey your ideas.

Common misconception

You can't plan a poem. Poems are inspired, and just flow from the heart.

Poems, just like paragraphs, can be planned. You can consider ideas and methods. Indeed, because poems are often shorter than other texts, planning each idea and method is even more important - no word can be wasted.

Keywords

Direct address - when the text speaks directly to the reader / audience, often using the pronoun 'you'
Methods - the tools a writer uses to create their work
Defiant - boldly disobedient