Starter quiz
- What is togetherness?
- being physically close to others
- feeling a sense of unity and connectedness to others ✓
- working on individual tasks separately
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- What is imagery?
- the use of numbers in writing
- a type of punctuation
- dialogue between characters
- descriptive language that appeals to the senses ✓
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- What are metaphors?
- comparisons using "like" or "as"
- direct comparisons saying one thing is another ✓
- statements of fact
- questions that don't need answers
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- What does it mean if you have dual heritage?
- you speak two languages
- you live in two countries
- you practice two religions
- you have parents from two different cultural backgrounds ✓
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- What are pronouns?
- words that describe actions
- words that replace nouns ✓
- words that modify verbs
- words that join sentences
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- What is enjambment?
- the continuation of a sentence without a pause beyond the end of a line ✓
- the use of rhyme at the end of lines
- the use of short, choppy sentences
- the use of alliteration in poetry
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Exit quiz
- What are societal divisions?
- the boundaries of different countries and regions
- when social groups are separated based on things like class and race ✓
- things that we all agree upon in society to separate us
- the laws and policies in place to keep us safe from each other
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- Match each of these words to the correct definition.
- fluid⇔flexible, adaptable; capable of flowing or changing shape easily ✓
- abstract⇔existing in thought or as an idea but not in the physical world ✓
- concrete⇔something clear and specific you can see, feel or sense ✓
- Zaffar Kunial was born to one English parent and one Pakistani parent. This means he is ...
- dual heritage. ✓
- single heritage.
- a traveller.
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- What is interesting about the use of pronouns in Zaffar Kunial's poem 'Us'?
- it uses no pronouns at all, creating a sense of universality
- it only uses third-person pronouns, distancing the speaker from the subject
- it shifts between 'I' and 'we', highlighting personal and collective identity ✓
- it poem uses unusual pronouns to challenge traditional grammar rules
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- How does the description of football fans in stanza 3 of 'Us' present togetherness?
- it implies it is fluid and always changing
- it connects two things which are far away from each other
- it can be suffocating
- it suggests individuals share the same fate and experiences ✓
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- When analysing a particularly abstract poem, it can be useful to ...
- focus on writing about the whole poem with no specific examples.
- think carefully about what you like about the poem and write about that.
- analyse a smaller section and apply these ideas to the rest of the poem. ✓
- choose any line at random and start by analysing that.
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Worksheet
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Presentation
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Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Kunial was born in Birmingham, to an English mother and Pakistani father.
- Kunial's poems often refer to identity and cultural heritage.
- In his poem 'Us', Kunial uses the collective pronoun to highlight how society needs to be more tolerant.
- Kunial's poem is about both divisions and togetherness.
- Although the speaker of the poem believes in unity, they admit this is difficult with their personal relationships.
Common misconception
The speaker of the poem wants everyone to be more tolerant and united.
Although the speaker does claim to want this, he does also confess that he finds it challenging at times, especially when it comes to his personal relationship with "you".
Keywords
Societal divisions - differences within society based on class, race, religion, or other factors
Unity - working together; joined as a whole
Fluid - flexible, adaptable; capable of flowing or changing shape easily
Abstract - existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence
Concrete - opposite of abstract; something clear and specific you can see, feel or sense
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