Lesson Plan

• Analyse an unseen literary text using close‑reading techniques and appropriate terminology.
• Evaluate how language, structure and context contribute to meaning and impact.
• Produce a well‑structured 30‑minute essay that presents a clear thesis supported by textual evidence.
• Apply accurate literary terminology and balanced judgement to achieve a high mark.

• Projector and screen
• Printed unseen poem (A4)
• Highlighters/coloured pens for annotation
• Annotation worksheet and essay planning template
• Literary device bank handout
• Mark‑scheme summary sheet
• Timer or stopwatch

Begin with a quick “literary‑device bingo” to activate prior knowledge. Ask students to recall the key steps they use when tackling an unseen text. Explain that today’s success criteria are: accurate annotation, a clear thesis, and at least three pieces of evidence each linked to literary terminology.

1. Do‑Now (5’) – Literary‑device bingo on the board; students mark what they know.
2. First reading (3’) – Silent reading of the unseen poem; note genre, tone, striking images.
3. Second reading & annotation (7’) – Colour‑code imagery, sound devices, structural features; use the annotation worksheet.
4. Identify central idea & craft thesis (5’) – Pair discussion to summarise theme in one sentence and agree on a thesis statement.
5. Paragraph planning (5’) – Fill in the planning template (topic sentence, evidence, analysis, link).
6. Timed essay writing (15’) – Students write a 30‑minute essay following their plan.
7. Peer feedback (5’) – Swap essays, use the mark‑scheme handout to give focused comments on analysis, terminology and evidence.
8. Proofread & exit ticket (3’) – Quick proofread; write one sentence summarising the most effective technique used.

Recap the “Read‑Annotate‑Plan‑Write‑Proofread” cycle and highlight common strengths observed in the essays. Collect exit‑ticket sentences to gauge understanding. For homework, assign another unseen poem for a timed practice essay, using the same checklist.