The Manhunt - teaching resource

The Manhunt – WJEC/Eduqas Conflict Poetry & Edexcel Relationships Poetry Anthology

This two-lesson mini-unit provides a detailed study of Simon Armitage’s ‘The Manhunt’, a key poem from both the WJEC/Eduqas Conflict Poetry Anthology and the Edexcel Relationships Poetry Anthology. Ideal for classroom teaching, revision, and exam preparation, this comprehensive resource supports students in developing close reading, analytical, and comparative essay-writing skills.

The resource includes a 50-slide fully editable PowerPoint and five accompanying worksheets, designed to engage learners and deepen their understanding of the poem’s language, structure, and themes.

Lesson One

• Context – An introduction to the Channel 4 documentary Forgotten Heroes and an exploration of PTSD

• First Reading – Guided reading of The Manhunt with discussion questions and model answers

• Language Analysis – Examining Armitage’s use of language, imagery, and poetic techniques

• Essay Writing – An exam-style essay question with an example model response

Lesson Two

• Imagery – Analysing Armitage’s use of metaphor and symbolic imagery

• Themes – Exploring themes of love, relationships, trauma, and recovery

• Structure & Form – Understanding rhythm, rhyme, and Armitage’s structural choices

• Exam Focus – Comparing The Manhunt with A Wife in London and developing comparison essay skills

This resource is fully editable and can be adapted to suit different abilities, teaching styles, and classroom needs.

To preview The Manhunt resource in detail, select “View All Slides” and click on the images.

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