Three to four lessons teaching poetry analysis (language and structure) by studying an Eminem/Rihanna song; intermediate to advanced pupils - 13 to 16 year old age group.

1. WHAT CAN EMINEM TEACH US ABOUT LANGUAGE
AND STRUCTURE IN POETIC TEXTS?
GRADE 3: pupils will make some
detailed comments on how language
is used in the text. (some analysis)
GRADE 4: pupils will explore the
language in a detailed and precise
way. (some detailed analysis)
GRADE 5: pupils will show a clear
understanding of how the writer
controls language in order to achieve
the purpose of the text.
(competent detailed analysis)
Pupils demonstrate a sustained and developed
understanding of how language and techniques are used
in the text. GRADE 5
Pupils will be able to identify various language features and
techniques with some relevant explanation. GRADE 3
Pupils demonstrate a detailed understanding of how language
and techniques are used in the text (with relevant
terminology). GRADE 4
Learning Objectives: Explain suggested meaning in the text. Explain and comment on the writer’s use of language and literary techniques.

2. IN WHAT WAYS IS
POETRY DIFFERENT
TO RAP?
EMINEM – LOVE THE WAY YOU LIE
Pupils demonstrate a sustained and developed
understanding of how language and techniques are used
in the text. GRADE 5
Pupils will be able to identify various language features and
techniques with some relevant explanation. GRADE 3
Pupils demonstrate a detailed understanding of how language
and techniques are used in the text (with relevant
terminology). GRADE 4
Learning Objectives: Explain suggested meaning in the text. Explain and comment on the writer’s use of language and literary techniques.

3. Context Title What is it
about?
Language
Structure
M
essage/feeling
1
.
2
.
2
.
3
.
4
.
5
.
UNDERSTANDING POETRY
Pupils demonstrate a sustained and developed
understanding of how language and techniques are used
in the text. GRADE 5
Pupils will be able to identify various language features and
techniques with some relevant explanation. GRADE 3
Pupils demonstrate a detailed understanding of how language
and techniques are used in the text (with relevant
terminology). GRADE 4
Learning Objectives: Explain suggested meaning in the text. Explain and comment on the writer’s use of language and literary techniques.

4. Love the Way
You Lie
TITLE – WHAT COULD THE TITLE SUGGEST ABOUT THE
RELATIONSHIP IN THE POEM?
Pupils demonstrate a sustained and developed
understanding of how language and techniques are used
in the text. GRADE 5
Pupils will be able to identify various language features and
techniques with some relevant explanation. GRADE 3
Pupils demonstrate a detailed understanding of how language
and techniques are used in the text (with relevant
terminology). GRADE 4
Learning Objectives: Explain suggested meaning in the text. Explain and comment on the writer’s use of language and literary techniques.

5. 1. Dysfunctional
A relationship that is not working normally and is bad for the people in
it.
2. Love-hate
When people in a relationship keep switching from liking to disliking
each other, then back again.
3. Mutually destructive
A relationship that is hurting or destroying both the people in it.
WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP ABOUT?: which of the three
words/phrases in the list best describes the relationship in
the poem?
Pupils demonstrate a sustained and developed
understanding of how language and techniques are used
in the text. GRADE 5
Pupils will be able to identify various language features and
techniques with some relevant explanation. GRADE 3
Pupils demonstrate a detailed understanding of how language
and techniques are used in the text (with relevant
terminology). GRADE 4
Learning Objectives: Explain suggested meaning in the text. Explain and comment on the writer’s use of language and literary techniques.

6. 1. Repetition
2. Simile
3. Violent/Negative
language
4. Sibilance
LANGUAGE: match each language feature with its definition
A. Using /s/ sounds in a series of
words
B. Words suggesting something
harmful or bad
C. Comparing one thing with another
using ‘as’ or ‘like’
D. Repeating words or phrases
Pupils demonstrate a sustained and developed
understanding of how language and techniques are used
in the text. GRADE B
Pupils will be able to identify various language features and
techniques with some relevant explanation. GRADE D
Pupils demonstrate a detailed understanding of how language
and techniques are used in the text (with relevant
terminology). GRADE C
Learning Objectives: Explain suggested meaning in the text. Explain and comment on the writer’s use of language and literary techniques.

7. Love the way you lie (extract) - Eminem
Love the way you lie (extract) by Eminem
[Eminem's Part]
It's morning, you wake, a sunray hits your face
Smeared make-up as we lay in the wake of destruction
Hush baby, speak softly, tell me you're awful sorry
That you pushed me into the coffee table last night
So I can push you off me.
Try and touch me so I can scream at you not to touch me
Run out the room and I'll follow you like a lost puppy
Baby, without you, I'm nothing, I'm so lost, hug me
Then tell me how ugly I am, but that you'll always love me
Then after that, shove me, in the aftermath of the
Destructive path that we're on, two psychopaths but we
Know that no matter how many knives we put in each other's backs
That we have each other's backs, 'cause we're that lucky.
Draw
arrows to
label:
Repetition
Draw arrows to
label:
Violent or Negative
language
Draw
arrows to
label:
a Simile
Draw arrows
to label:
Sibilance

8. 1. Is there rhyme at the ends of the lines?
2. Is the rhyme regular? (Does it form a pattern?)
3.Are there any other techniques (repeating patterns in the
words) that link lines or parts of lines together?
4.What words or phrases does the pattern emphasise?
(emphasise means ‘make stand out’)
STRUCTURE: what details or features in the poem are used
to link it together?
Pupils demonstrate a sustained and developed
understanding of how language and techniques are used
in the text. GRADE 5
Pupils will be able to identify various language features and
techniques with some relevant explanation. GRADE 3
Pupils demonstrate a detailed understanding of how language
and techniques are used in the text (with relevant
terminology). GRADE 4
Learning Objectives: Explain suggested meaning in the text. Explain and comment on the writer’s use of language and literary techniques.

9. STRUCTURE – what are the different techniques used in the
colour code?
Love the way you lie (extract) by Eminem
[Eminem's Part]
It's morning, you wake, a sunray hits your face
Smeared make-up as we lay in the wake of destruction
Hush baby, speak softly, tell me you're awful sorry
That you pushed me into the coffee table last night
So I can push you off me.
Try and touch me so I can scream at you not to touch me
Run out the room and I'll follow you like a lost puppy
Baby, without you, I'm nothing, I'm so lost, hug me
Then tell me how ugly I am, but that you'll always love me
Then after that, shove me, in the aftermath of the
Destructive path that we're on, two psychopaths but we
Know that no matter how many knives we put in each other's backs
That we have each other's backs, 'cause we're that lucky.
Techniques
BLUE =
RED =
GREEN =

10. FEELINGS AND MESSAGE
‘follow you like a lost puppy’ ‘two psychopaths’
1. What does this description suggest
about how the character feels?
.
.
2. What does this description suggest
about the characters and how they treat
each other?
.
.
Pupils demonstrate a sustained and developed
understanding of how language and techniques are used
in the text. GRADE 5
Pupils will be able to identify various language features and
techniques with some relevant explanation. GRADE 3
Pupils demonstrate a detailed understanding of how language
and techniques are used in the text (with relevant
terminology). GRADE 4
Learning Objectives: Explain suggested meaning in the text. Explain and comment on the writer’s use of language and literary techniques.

11. Questions on the text
Love the Way You Lie - Eminem
What background story
is suggested by the
poem?
What does the poem’s
title suggest about the
relationship?
What do the language
features add to the
poem?
What are the main
features in the structure
of the poem, and what
do they add to the
meaning?
What kinds of emotions
are expressed in the
poem, and what do
they tell the reader
about the people in the
relationship?

12. This suggests
…because
OR POINT
QUOTE
EXPLAIN WHAT
THE QUOTE
TELLS US.
ADD A SECOND
COMMENT THAT IS
LINKED WITH THE POINT
OR QUOTE.
1. 2.
3.
4.
5.
FIVE STEPS
TO WRITING
A PERFECT
PARAGRAPH

13. How does Eminem present the man in the poem?
(1) The man in the poem is presented as being confused
and mixed up. (2) This is evident where it says, ‘scream at
you not to touch me’ and ‘follow you like a lost puppy’
(3) Eminem uses quite negative and violent language:
‘scream’ and contrasts this with the emotive simile: ‘like
a lost puppy’. (4) This suggests that the man is torn
between two very different kinds of feelings towards the
woman. (5) This contrasting description intrigues the
audience, because we partly sympathise with the man,
but we also want to find out why he has such a conflicted
attachment to the woman.
EXEMPLAR PARAGRAPH

14. Assessment Question
How does Eminem use
language techniques and
structure in the poem to
make different parts of
the couple’s relationship
stand out?

15. Assessment Paragraph 1: language paragraph
Step 1: Choose two adjectives to describe the way that the couple’s
relationship is presented in the poem. Write the adjectives into a
sentence that describes the relationship.
Step 2: Choose two quotes from the text that contain a language
technique, and also support the point that you made in step 1. Write
a sentence that includes the two quotes.
Step 3: Write a sentence that gives details of the language techniques
in your two quotes.
Step 4: Write a sentence explaining what the quotes suggest about
the relationship (Don’t use the adjectives that you used in step 1, you
have to find other words to explain them.)
Step 5: Write a sentence explaining how the language techniques add
impact or detail to the description of the couple.

16. Assessment Paragraph 2: structure paragraph
Step 1: Write a sentence explaining which structure techniques are
used in the poem.
Step 2: Choose two quotes from the text that contain an example of
two of the structure techniques (don’t use any of the same quotes
used in paragraph 1), Write a sentence that includes the two quotes.
Step 3: Write a sentence that gives details of how the structure
techniques in your quotes make certain details about the relationship
stand out.
Step 4: Write a sentence explaining what the quotes suggest about the
relationship (Don’t say the same things that you wrote in the first
paragraph).
Step 5: Write a sentence explaining why you think Eminem chose to
use a variety of structure techniques and what they add to the poem.

17. WHAT CAN EMINEM TEACH US ABOUT LANGUAGE AND
STRUCTURE IN POETIC TEXTS?
How have you done? Read through your own or
someone else’s paragraph on the language and
decide which level you would give to your/their
analysis.
GRADE 3: pupils will make some detailed
comments on how language is used in the text
(some analysis)
GRADE 4: pupils will explore the language in a
detailed and precise way
(some detailed analysis)
GRADE 5: pupils will show a clear
understanding of how the writer controls
language in order to achieve the purpose of the
text
(competent detailed analysis)
Pupils demonstrate a sustained and developed
understanding of how language and techniques are used
in the text. GRADE 5
Pupils will be able to identify various language features and
techniques with some relevant explanation. GRADE 3
Pupils demonstrate a detailed understanding of how language
and techniques are used in the text (with relevant
terminology). GRADE 4
Learning Objectives: Explain suggested meaning in the text. Explain and comment on the writer’s use of language and literary techniques.

18. Now write your own poem, rap or song that uses the
techniques that we have been studying. Your writing can be
on any topic as long as it isn’t about sex, violence, and has
no swearing in it.
You will get a point for each of the
different techniques that you use:
oOnomatopoeia
oContrast
oMetaphor
oSimile
oSymbolism
oRepetition
osibilance
Pupils demonstrate a sustained and developed
understanding of how language and techniques are used
in the text. GRADE 5
Pupils will be able to identify various language features and
techniques with some relevant explanation. GRADE 3
Pupils demonstrate a detailed understanding of how language
and techniques are used in the text (with relevant
terminology). GRADE 4
Learning Objectives: Explain suggested meaning in the text. Explain and comment on the writer’s use of language and literary techniques.