Starter quiz
- What does the word 'cosy' mean?
- giving a feeling of comfort or warmth ✓
- feeling distant from somebody
- when something is huge or vast
- when somebody is friendly and kind
- when something is valuable or expensive
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- Who is the speaker in a poem?
- the person whose perspective the poem is written from ✓
- the person who wrote the poem
- the person the poem is written to
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- Which of the following words can be used as a synonym for 'to remember' or 'to think back to'?
- to evaluate
- to memorialise
- to reminisce ✓
- to renew
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- Which of the following is the definition of the term 'enjambment'?
- a brief statement that refers to a character or incident from another text
- repetition of words or phrases in the first part of successive clauses
- the continuation of a sentence beyond the end of a line, stanza or couplet ✓
- a set of words grouped by a common theme
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- Which of the following words would belong in the same semantic field as the word 'licorice' (which is a type of sweet)?
- sweet ✓
- smell
- chewy ✓
- bitter
- vomit
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- Match the word up to its connotation.
- astride⇔bravery ✓
- senseless⇔foolish ✓
- nudging⇔gradual ✓
- divine⇔heavenly ✓
- glinting⇔beauty/value ✓
Exit quiz
- Who wrote 'Cozy Apologia'?
- Seamus Heaney
- Wilfred Owen
- Imtiaz Dharker
- Rita Dove ✓
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- Which words does Dove use to describe her teenage crushes in 'Cozy Apologia'?
- "thin" ✓
- "glinting"
- "stolen"
- "embarrassing"
- "worthless" ✓
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- Starting with the first, put the summary of 'Cozy Apologia' in chronological order.
- 1⇔Dove likens her husband to a knight-in-shining-armour.
- 2⇔Dove informs us that hurricane Floyd is moving towards the couple's home.
- 3⇔Dove reminisces about her teenage crushes.
- 4⇔Dove paints a picture of the pair working from home together in their office.
- What word does Dove use to describe the time she spends with her husband in 'Cozy Apologia'?
- 'stolen' ✓
- Which of the following facts are true about Rita Dove?
- Rita Dove is African American. ✓
- Her husband Fred is white British.
- Rita Dove has faced racial discrimination in her life. ✓
- Dove married her husband during a time when interracial marriage was illegal.
- Dove published 'Cozy Apologia' in 2005.
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- Why might Dove have contrasted her love for her husband with the imminent danger of hurricane Floyd in 'Cozy Apologia'?
- perhaps to show how powerful her relationship is - like a hurricane
- to show her fear of the hurricane and how quickly it can destroy her life
- arguably to show the safety and comfort her relationship brings her ✓
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Worksheet
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Presentation
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Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- ‘Cozy Apologia’ is dedicated to Dove’s husband Fred, whom she married in 1979.
- Dove contrasts the safety of her love with her husband with the danger of the approaching hurricane.
- Whilst the relationship does not appear exciting, the speaker clearly feels safe and loved with her partner.
- Arguably, Dove is grateful for the mundanity of her life with her husband.
Common misconception
Students often think that there is only 'one right interpretation' of a poem.
Students are shown in this lesson that poetry can be read in several different ways and that any interpretation is valid. Students should be encouraged to explore multiple interpretations when discussing poetry.
Keywords
To enrich - to improve or enhance the quality of something.
Interracial couple - a relationship that takes place between two people who are from different racial or ethnic groups.
Tribute - an act or statement that is intended to show appreciation for something or someone.
Mundane - ordinary/usual.
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