ABSTRACT
This sequence of activities is designed as an entire scheme of work. It follows a wellestablished dynamic for textual engagement consisting of pre-reading, reading and post-reading activities. Although poetry is the focus in this instance, the activities – not least those concerned with exploring the ‘music’ of language – could be used with any literary text. They could also be used with non-fi ctional texts that employ rhetorical devices to argue or persuade (such as advertising copy, charity leafl ets, journalistic opinion pieces, essays) or that use imagery, rhythm and diction to evoke a particular experience, atmosphere or sense of place (travel writing, for example). I have used similar activities to explore the advertising copy on the side of a supermarket rice packet and the description of a journey down the Amazon.
