‘Anthem for Doomed Youth’

Big Question: Can I dazzle the class with my analysis of a new

poem?
Success Criteria
Keywords: simile, metaphor, onomatopoeia, alliteration,
o Be able to summarise the repetition, rhyme, interpret
main points of the poem.

o Be able to identify imagery

in this poem.

o Be able to explain the

effects of the imagery used
by the poet.

o Be able to create my own

quotation explosions;
identifying and analysing
key imagery from the
Write down three adjectives to describe
poem. each of the pictures above.
 Making Connections
Match the words to their meanings:
 Orison  Cloth laid on a coffin
 Mockeries  High-pitched noise
 Paleness
 Bugles
 A prayer
 Pallor  Brass instrument used to
 Hasty give military signals
 Shrill  Hurried
 pall  Ceremonies which are
insulting
 Making Connections
Match the words to their meanings:
 Orison  Cloth laid on a coffin
 Mockeries  High-pitched noise
 Paleness
 Bugles
 A prayer
 Pallor  Brass instrument used to
 Hasty give military signals
 Shrill  Hurried
 pall  Ceremonies which are
insulting
 Born: 18 March 1893 – Oswestry, Shropshire
 Language Tutor - France
 Volunteered: October 1915
 May 1917 – Diagnosed with Shell Shock
 October 1918 - Earned Military Cross
 Died: 4 November 1918 – Ors Battlefield
 Expert Groups
1. Highlight every word or phrase with
violent, warlike connotations.
2. Circle every example of onomatopoeia or
any word referring to sounds.
3. Highlight any similes that you can find.
4. Highlight any metaphors that you can
find.
 Analysing imagery
It is very important to be able to analyse the
effectiveness of imagery, because it helps us have a
deeper understanding of the poem.

There are three stages to analysing images:

1. Say what is being compared to what.
2. Show how they are similar.
3. Explain why this comparison is effective by showing
how it adds to the description.

Use the following structure in your answer:

The simile/metaphor compares _____to________.
Just as…, so…
This is effective because …
Look at the following example
 “…his hair like mouldy hay,”.

 In this simile Tim’s hair is being compared to

hay that has discoloured because of mould.

 Just as mould would be dull and stained, so is

Tim’s hair a dirty blonde colour with a straw-like
texture.

 This is an effective comparison because it

paints Tim in a very unattractive light, particularly
when compared to the dashing highwayman. It is
useful in the poem because Tim is the villain and it
prejudices us against him.
 Over to you…
In pairs…
 Pick another image from the poem (it can
be a simile or a metaphor) and do an
analysis of its effectiveness.
 Use the previous examples to help you
structure your analysis  remember to
follow all three steps.
On your own, identify three similes/
metaphors that are important to your
deeper understanding of the poem.
Using the three steps for effective
analysis, analyse your three chosen
examples in your books.
 Plenary
 On your post-it
notes, write down
three words from
the poem to
describe the
picture we looked
at earlier.