Catrin

LO: How does this poem connect to Conflict and how does Clarke present this?

DO NOW:
How might you
describe your
relationship with your
parents or carers?

(You dont have to write

anything down.)
Why did my beautiful baby
daughter have to become a
teenager?
Gillian Clarke was brought up in Wales, speaking English
and Welsh.
Her daughter is called Catrin, and she wrote this poem
to answer the question above.

How do you think your parents feel about you growing

up?
 First Reading
Listen to the poem.
Thinking about conflict, underline any words/phrases that you think link the
poem to this theme.

The poem is called Catrin, but does it represent more than just one person?
Whats it all about? Whats the
point of view?

Give me an overview paragraph, using

your knowledge of the poem to explore
its themes.
Structural Choices
What do you notice about
the poems structure?
Is there a tonal shift?

Why has Clarke chosen to structure her account of her

relationship with her daughter in this way?
Exploding Quotes
I asked you to highlight words or phrases that you felt
showed conflict
We are now going to explode some of those quotes to
explore Clarkes language choices.
Types of Alliteration
Plosive: phonemes that explode out of the vocal tract;
usually involves a stopping of air - /b/, /k/, /d/, /g/, /t/

Fricative: phonemes that involve a slow release of air through

a constricted passage - /f/, /v/, /th/

Sibilant: Hissing phonemes - /s/, /sh/, soft /c/, soft /x/

Liquid: Phonemes that sound fluid and usually flow into

vowels: /l/, /r/

Nasal: Phonemes that include the nasal passage - /n/, /m/

 Alliteration fricative
phonemes reflects the
breathing during labour?

Our first fierce confrontation

Confrontation already,
before she has even been
born, there is a fight to be
had
Your Turn!
Take some time to explode your own quotes what
can you say about the words/phrases that you have
picked, linking always to the theme of conflict?

Remember try to think about why Clarke makes these

choices, and what effect they create.
Alternate Ideas
Using a different coloured highlighter, go through and
select the words/phrases that show love.

What do you notice?

Crafting a Response
Clarke wants to show us the complexity of
the feelings associated with having a
teenage child. She presents a range of
negative images the fierce confrontation
and the red rope, but these are juxtaposed
with images of love though these are often
clouded.
What next?
Task - Pairs
How does this poem link to conflict?
Does it have anything in common with the poems we
have studied so far?

How does Clarke present her own, internal conflict,

then, in this poem?
Band Mark Level descriptors:
0 No material worthy of a mark
Band 1 1-4 Identification of form and structure is minimal.
There is little awareness of the language used by the poet.
Little evidence of relevant subject terminology.
There is little awareness of context and little comment on the relationship between poem and
context.
Band 2 5-8 There is some comment on the form and structure of the poem.
Some awareness of the poets use of language is shown, but without development.
Limited use of relevant subject terminology to support examples given.
There is some awareness of relevant context and some comment on the relationship between poem
and context.
Band 3 9-12 The response shows a sound understanding of form and structure and links them to their effect.
There is clear awareness, with sound examples, of the poets use of language and of its effect on
the reader.
Relevant subject terminology is used to support examples given.
There is sound comment on relevant context and sound relevant comment on the relationship
between poem and context.
Band 4 13-16 Analysis of form and structure and their effect is sustained.
The candidate comments effectively on the poets use of language and its effect on the reader.
Relevant subject terminology is used accurately and appropriately to develop ideas.
There is sustained comment on relevant context and detailed awareness of the relationship
between poem and context.
Band 5 17-20 There is perceptive grasp of form and structure and their effect.
The response offers a cohesive evaluation of the poets language and its effect on the reader.
Relevant subject terminology is integrated and precise.
There is excellent understanding of context, and convincing understanding of the relationship
between poem and context is integrated into the response.
To Finish
Using the mark scheme to guide you, self-assess your
work today.

Underneath your work, write down the band you think

you are working to, and a target for improvement.