'Listen Mr Oxford Don' by John Agard

Your task is to write a response to Agard's poem above (up to one side of A4). In your response you should try to explain what you think the poem is about, supporting your points with quotations from the poem. Make sure you keep your quotes short.

Think about some of the ideas we discussed in class such as:

1) Standard and non-standard English
2) Spelling and grammar
3) Dialect and accent
4) Pigeon languages
5) Identity (cultural identity)
6) Social class and status
7) Education (attitudes associated with Oxford University)

You should also think about the ways Agard presents his ideas. How does he use language and techniques to express his ideas? Consider doing some further research on John Agard to support your understanding.

You may start to build a discussion here in this post with your peers, but you should also ensure your written response is done in your book ready for the first lesson back on Tuesday.

Is there any truth behind the Arthurian Legend?

Please do some online research and develop a discussion with each other in this post about whether there is any truth behind the Arthurian Legend.

Graphic Novel Analysis Task

Your task is to analyse an extract from a graphic novel about Arthurian Legend. In your response, you should aim to demonstrate an understanding of graphic novel terminology and language associated with analysing still images. It is key that you link what you are describing with meaning as frequently as possible. Below are some of the key features of a graphic novel you have learnt about:

•      Panel/frame (the box shaped images on the page of a graphic novel)

•      Gutter (the space between panels/frames)

•      Camera distance (Long shot, mid-shot, close-up)

•      Camera angle (low/high)

•      Mise-en-scene (meaning what is ‘put in the scene/frame’ which includes colour, lighting, setting, props,

•      body gestures/facial expressions)

•      Speech/Thought balloon or bubble

 

The piece of analysis below has been given to you as a model to demonstrate how you could develop these skills:

 

           

            In the mise-en-scene of the main frame, we can see an image of Arthur

            holding the sword above his head. The wide, low angle shot shows Arthur’s

            power and strength, despite being a boy.

Graphic Novel extract - Arthurian Legend

Please continue discussing and analysing the graphic novel images below from today's lesson.

Researching the Arthurian Legend Online

Do some internet research into the Arthurian Legend and summarise your learning here in this post with each other in a discussion. Make sure you tell us which website your information comes from (copy and paste it into your comment). Consider how reliable/authoritative the website is. Research as widely as possible. Remember that typing variations of the King Arthur myth into Google will produce different search results (i.e. 'King Arthur', 'Arthurian Legend', 'Excalibur', 'The Sword in the Stone', etc.)