Lesson Plan

• Identify and analyse literary techniques in unseen prose or poetry.
• Construct a focused critical commentary using appropriate terminology.
• Organise ideas into a coherent structure with introduction, body, and conclusion.
• Manage time effectively to complete reading, planning, writing, and proofreading within exam limits.
• Evaluate work against the IGCSE marking criteria.

• Unseen text handout (poem or prose excerpt)
• Highlighters/coloured pens for annotation
• Whiteboard and markers
• Sample commentary outline handout
• Timer or stopwatch
• Marking criteria checklist

Begin with a brief discussion of how unseen texts appear in the IGCSE exam and why close reading is essential. Review students' prior experience with annotation and planning commentary. Explain that today they will practise a step‑by‑step approach and will know the success criteria: accurate literary terminology, a clear argument, and a well‑structured essay.

1. Do‑now (5'): Students read a provided unseen excerpt twice – first for overall meaning, then for detailed information.
2. Annotation (10'): Guided annotation of key images, figurative language, structural features, tone, and unfamiliar words.
3. Planning (7'): Students create a brief plan selecting a central focus, 3‑4 pieces of evidence, and paragraph order (intro, body, conclusion).
4. Writing (35'): Students write a full commentary following the plan, ensuring each body paragraph contains a point, evidence, and analysis.
5. Peer review (5'): Pairs exchange drafts to check use of literary terms, linking devices, and logical flow.
6. Proofreading (3'): Final check for spelling, punctuation, and accurate terminology.

Recap the five‑step process: read, annotate, plan, write, and proof‑read. For the exit ticket, ask each student to write one sentence stating the most effective literary technique they identified and why. Assign homework: practise with another unseen excerpt using the same checklist and submit a draft commentary for feedback.