Page 26 - Year 7 Knowledge Organiser

English: Poetry & Identity: 2 of 3

Model analytical paragraph
Maya Angelou uses rhetorical questions to express her
Key Vocabulary: Poetry & Identity identity with confidence and pride in the poem 'Still
I Rise'. She asks: 'Did you want to see
Non-negotiables me broken? Bowed head and lowered eyes?'. She
A pattern of sounds created by stressed and unstressed does not expect an answer here, but it is implied that
1 Rhythm syllables. society does want or expect to see her 'broken' and

'bowed'. However, she is not. The use of these
2 Imagery Language that creates a picture in your head. adjectives is significant as they contrast with her

3 Enjambment A sentence or phrase that runs over from one line or confidence and convey Angelou's strength and
stanza to the next. determination in the face of racism. Although the
reader might expect her to be 'broken' by the legacy
4 Simile Comparing something to something else using 'like' of slavery and segregation, she is not. Therefore,
or 'as'.
Angelou acknowledges that these are parts of her
5 Metaphor Saying something is something else. identity and heritage as an African American woman,
but that they do not define her.
6 Personification Giving an object human qualities.

Grow your vocabulary Questions to ask ourselves about Poetry
• How does the poem make you feel?
Who a person is, for example beliefs, personality and
7 Identity
traits. • What idea is being presented?

8 Heritage A person's racial, ethnic, religious, or cultural background. • What theme or idea does the poem explore?
• How does the poet convey certain emotions?
Many different types of things or people included in
9 Diversity
something. • How does the poet use certain methods?

10 Society A group of people who live together as a community. • How are the ideas being expressed?
• Why does the poet want to make you feel that way?

• Why does the poet use language that way?