AQA GCSE English Literature – Checking Out Me History by John Agard | Power & Conflict Visual Revisi

AQA GCSE English Literature – Checking Out Me History by John Agard | Power & Conflict Visual Revision Pack

A clear and accessible collection of 10 visual revision resources designed to support students studying Checking Out Me History by John Agard for AQA GCSE English Literature.

The poem explores ideas surrounding identity, cultural heritage, power, education, colonialism and the control of history.

These visual resources help students understand the poem’s key themes, language, structure, context and writer’s message while developing useful ideas for GCSE poetry comparison.

KEY AREAS COVERED

The pack supports students with:

• Identity and cultural heritage
• Power and control
• Colonialism
• Education and knowledge
• British and Caribbean history
• Hidden and excluded voices
• Cultural oppression
• Reclaiming identity
• The speaker’s perspective
• Key quotations
• Language analysis
• Structure and form
• Context
• Writer’s intentions
• Poetry comparison

LANGUAGE, FORM AND STRUCTURE

Students are supported in exploring techniques such as:

• Repetition
• Phonetic spelling
• Caribbean dialect
• Non-standard English
• Contrasts
• Metaphor
• Imagery
• Refrains
• Free verse
• Irregular structure
• Changes in typography and rhythm
• First-person voice

Particular attention can be given to the repeated phrase “Dem tell me”, which emphasises the control others have had over the speaker’s education and understanding of history.

The poem also contrasts simplified versions of British history with powerful descriptions of Black historical figures, helping Agard celebrate identities that have been excluded from traditional education.

EXAM AND COMPARISON SUPPORT

The visual pack can be used for:

• AQA GCSE English Literature
• Power and Conflict poetry
• Poetry comparison
• Exam preparation
• Classroom teaching
• Independent revision
• Retrieval practice
• Intervention
• SEN / SEND support
• Mixed-ability classes

Useful comparison themes include:

• Power and control
• Identity
• Oppression
• Resistance
• Individual versus institutional power
• Memory
• Place and culture

Possible comparison poems include:

• London
• The Emigrée
• Tissue
• Ozymandias
• Kamikaze

QUALIFICATION

AQA GCSE English Literature (8702)
Power and Conflict Poetry
Checking Out Me History – John Agard

PLEASE NOTE

This is an independently created educational resource and is not produced, endorsed or approved by AQA.

Students should use this resource alongside the current official specification, anthology and teacher guidance.

Copyright in the original poem remains with the relevant copyright holder.