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

Starter quiz

Match each method to its definition ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').

refrain

⇔

a repeated line or lines throughout a poem ✓

rhyme

⇔

using words that sound like each other in the middle or end of lines ✓

alliteration

⇔

using the same letter to start two or more words ✓

sibilance

⇔

the repetition of the 's' sound ✓
Match each word to its definition ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').

sullen

⇔

bad-tempered, sulky ✓

idle

⇔

not doing anything, lazy ✓

ignoble

⇔

unworthy, not honourable ✓

carefree

⇔

having no problems or anxieties ✓

innocent

⇔

antonym of guilty ✓
How many stanzas does Maya Angelou's 'On Aging' have? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')

1 ✓

2

3

4

5
Which of the sentences below are examples of figurative language? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')

I walk with confidence and grace.

I stomp elephant-like into the room. ✓

I thundered out of the room, a storm cloud of anger. ✓

I left the room hastily, but elegantly.
Which of these Angelou poems uses first person? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')

'On Aging' ✓

'Woman Work' ✓

'Caged Bird'

'Equality' ✓

'On the Pulse of the Morning'
Which of these Angelou poem titles uses figurative language? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').

'On Aging'

'Phenomenal Woman'

'Caged Bird' ✓

'Equality'

'Still I Rise' ✓

Exit quiz

Which sentence is an example of sibilance? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').

The small child stuck his tongue out and stared. ✓

It was a silly thing to do.

I looked longingly at the lolly.

My heart leapt with joy.
Which sentence is an example of alliteration? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').

Life may be scary, but I'm not frightened.

I am powerfully and persistently phenomenal. ✓

I won't be forgotten or mistreated.

Save your silly songs for someone stupid.
When editing your work, reading your piece of writing ______ can help you hear what sounds good, and what needs further work ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').

'aloud' ✓
Which sentence uses the word sullen, or its forms, correctly? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')

Angelou's speakers are often uplifting, rather than sullen. ✓

If I am feeling sullenly, I often read a poem to lift my spirits.

I was pleased to help; that's why I looked so sullen.

Angelou uses a sullen number of stanzas in 'Still I Rise'.
Which sentence uses the word idle, or its forms, correctly? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')

I ran to school idly because I didn't want to be late.

I was accused of being idly, but I was just thinking.

I hate being idle – I'm always up and about doing something. ✓

I was idelist this morning so I didn't make my bed.
Which of these sentences uses the word ignoble correctly? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')

He called me ignoble, which I think is unfair. I am always lying and cheating.

I was ignoble this morning so I had a huge breakfast.

He seemed ignoble to me and I didn't trust him. ✓

Robbing the bank was ignoble, but what choice did I have? ✓

Worksheet

Presentation

Video

Lesson Details

Key learning points

You can use a poet's work to inspire your own creativity.
You can plan each stanza of a poem by considering its focus, details and methods
Reading your poem aloud can help you identify areas you would like to improve.

Common misconception

You can't plan a stanza of a poem. It's not like a paragraph or an essay.

Stanzas are like paragraphs. They need structure and focus. Spending time planning their methods, vocabulary and ideas make writing the stanza easier.

Keywords

Methods - the tools a writer uses to create their work; use of figurative language is one example
Sullen - bad-tempered, sulky
Figurative language - non-literal phrases and words which develop a writer's meaning
Idle - not doing anything, lazy
Ignoble - not honourable, unworthy