Remains - Eduqas - teaching resource

Remains by Simon Armitage – Eduqas GCSE Poetry Anthology Teaching Resource (First Assessment 2027)

This comprehensive two-lesson mini-unit explores Simon Armitage’s poem Remains, featured in the new Eduqas GCSE English Literature Poetry Anthology (first assessment 2027). Designed to help students build strong analytical and comparative skills, this resource provides an in-depth study of the poem’s context, language, imagery, themes, and structure, while supporting exam preparation.

The teaching pack includes a 53-slide fully editable PowerPoint presentation and five accompanying worksheets containing a range of structured, engaging, and exam-focused activities.

Lesson One:

• Context: An introduction to the Gulf War, PTSD, and an extract from Channel 4’s Forgotten Heroes: The Undead documentary

• First Reading: Guided reading of Remains with comprehension and discussion tasks (answers included)

• Language Analysis: Detailed exploration of Armitage’s language choices, tone, and poetic techniques, supported by model responses

• Essay Writing: A practice essay-style task to assess understanding, complete with a sample answer

Lesson Two:

• Imagery: Analysing Armitage’s use of vivid, sensory imagery and symbolism

• Themes: Exploring central ideas such as trauma, guilt, memory, and the effects of war

• Structure & Form: Examining free verse, stanza organisation, rhythm, and enjambment

• Exam Preparation: Comparing Remains with War Photographer by Carol Ann Duffy, with strategies and model answers to support comparative essay writing

Fully editable and adaptable, this resource is ideal for classroom teaching, intervention, homework, and revision, helping students prepare effectively for the Eduqas GCSE English Literature exam.

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