the esssay
‘Valentine’ by Carol Ann Duffy
Pupil Unit
Includes Formative Assessment Strategies
Critical Essay: Poetry
‘Valentine’ by Carol Anne Duffy
By the end of this Unit you will be able to write Critical Essays on the poem ‘Valentine’.
You will be able to write relevantly about the central concern(s)/theme(s) of the poem and be able to support your views by reference to appropriate poetic techniques.
You will learn about/revise the following techniques:
Imagery
Tone
Word Choice
Structure
Symbolism
You will be able to adapt your knowledge of the central concerns/themes of the poem and the techniques used to answer questions which ask you to choose a poem…
‘…which you feel is particularly relevant to a teenage audience.’
‘… in which … a seemingly unimportant incident acquires increased significance by the end of the poem.’
‘… in which you feel there is a significant moment which reveals the central idea of the poem.’
‘… which creates a sense of menace.’
‘… on the subject of love.’
‘… in which there is a noticeable change of mood at one or more than one point in the poem.’
Activities in this unit are designed to be performed in classroom conditions involving discussion, peer assessment and written assignment. The teacher will facilitate the lessons and discussions giving appropriate advice and modelling when appropriate.
‘Valentine’
Carol Ann Duffy
Not a red rose or a satin heart.
I give you an onion.
It is a moon wrapped in brown paper.
It promises light like the careful undressing of love.
Here.
It will blind you with tears like a lover.
It will make your reflection a wobbling photo of grief.
I am trying to be truthful.
Not a cute card or a kissogram.
I give you an onion.
Its fierce kiss will stay on your lips, possessive and faithful as we are, for as long as we are.
Take it.
Its platinum loops shrink to a wedding-ring, if you like.
Pupil Unit
Includes Formative Assessment Strategies
Critical Essay: Poetry
‘Valentine’ by Carol Anne Duffy
By the end of this Unit you will be able to write Critical Essays on the poem ‘Valentine’.
You will be able to write relevantly about the central concern(s)/theme(s) of the poem and be able to support your views by reference to appropriate poetic techniques.
You will learn about/revise the following techniques:
Imagery
Tone
Word Choice
Structure
Symbolism
You will be able to adapt your knowledge of the central concerns/themes of the poem and the techniques used to answer questions which ask you to choose a poem…
‘…which you feel is particularly relevant to a teenage audience.’
‘… in which … a seemingly unimportant incident acquires increased significance by the end of the poem.’
‘… in which you feel there is a significant moment which reveals the central idea of the poem.’
‘… which creates a sense of menace.’
‘… on the subject of love.’
‘… in which there is a noticeable change of mood at one or more than one point in the poem.’
Activities in this unit are designed to be performed in classroom conditions involving discussion, peer assessment and written assignment. The teacher will facilitate the lessons and discussions giving appropriate advice and modelling when appropriate.
‘Valentine’
Carol Ann Duffy
Not a red rose or a satin heart.
I give you an onion.
It is a moon wrapped in brown paper.
It promises light like the careful undressing of love.
Here.
It will blind you with tears like a lover.
It will make your reflection a wobbling photo of grief.
I am trying to be truthful.
Not a cute card or a kissogram.
I give you an onion.
Its fierce kiss will stay on your lips, possessive and faithful as we are, for as long as we are.
Take it.
Its platinum loops shrink to a wedding-ring, if you like.