Poetry Anthologies

What the page covers

This unit collects study material on poems from exam anthologies. Most of it is mind maps, one per poem. You will find maps on Ozymandias, The Charge of the Light Brigade, Poppies by Jane Weir, Bayonet Charge and Winter Swans by Owen Sheers. Many sit alongside flashcard decks and notes that mention GCSE English Literature, A-level English Literature and GCSE English.

Where to start

Begin with one poem you are studying now. The mind map for Winter Swans lays out context, key themes, direct speech, form, natural imagery and contrasts. The Ozymandias map retells the story line of a traveller describing a ruined statue in the desert. Poppies is split into techniques, language, structure and imagery, including textile references.

1. Open a mind map and read each branch slowly.
2. Check the flashcards for the same poem, such as the Checking Out Me History deck, which splits the poem into context, subject matter, structure and language.
3. Read a note for extra detail, such as the Lord Byron video notes on love and relationships.
4. Finish with a quiz.

Using quizzes and maps together

The quizzes are a small set, so use them as checkpoints. Try the Quickdraw quiz after reading its mind map, or the Walking Away quiz on context and structure. Then return to the map for any branch you could not answer. Cover a branch, write down what you remember, then uncover it to compare.

Comparing poems and finding anthology context

Some resources help you link poems. There is a flashcard deck comparing Sonnet 29 and The Farmer's Bride, and another comparing Follower with Mother, Any Distance. The WJEC/Eduqas context map describes Romantic poets and their view of art and writing. Teachers may find these handy as ready-made starting points for lessons.

Where it fits

This unit sits in the Poetry strand of Literature. Everything was made by GoConqr users, so styles and depth vary. Choose a poem, open its map and make a start.