Tasks: A note from the beach by Matt Haig

1. How is repetition used in the poem, and what is achieved by using repetition?

2. How is personification used in the poem, and what is achieved by using personification?

3. How are rhetorical questions used in the poem, and what is achieved by using rhetorical questions?

4. At the end of the poem, the noun 'beach' is used as a verb: "Just beach". Why do you think the poet chose to do this?

5. What is the theme of the poem?

6. What is the message of the poem?

Work with a partner and share your opinion of the poem.

Explain what you liked and what you disliked about the poem. Comment on the poem's content, structure, and use of language.

Below, you will find some examples of advertising language. Discuss what is said in each example and consider whether what is said may have a negative impact on a person's self-esteem.

1. I think everyone should be themselves. That is why I love the makeup from Makeupsareus. It helps me be the best version of myself.

2. Are you beach-body ready? (Advertisement for weight loss powder.)

3. Look like a girl. Act like a lady. Think like a man. Act like a boss. (Advertisement for a company that makes pens).

4. She'll tell you size doesn't matter. She's lying. (Advertisement for a hamburger restaurant.)

5. Serengeti. Real adventure. Real Men. (Advertisement for a fragrance company.)

This poem addresses a contemporary issue. Find a different poem that also deals with an issue that is important to people today. Present the poem in a group.

What the presentation should include:

• a reading of the poem

• a brief introduction of the poet

• an explanation of the issue the poem addresses

After the presentation:

Discuss whether the poem has made you understand the issue better.

Suggested sites where you may find a poem:

Link to the webpage poets.org

Link to the webpage Poetry Foundation

Pick one of the tasks below.

1. Write your own poem about a contemporary issue. You may choose to draw inspiration from Matt Haig's poem, or write a poem in a more traditional style. When you have written the poem, make a poster of it. Hang the poems in the classroom.

2. Create an illustration of either Matt Haig's poem or one of the poems from the research task. Make a poster of the illustration. Hang the poster in the classroom.

3. Make a found poem about a political issue. When you have written the poem, make a poster of it. Hang the poems in the classroom.

Pick one of the tasks and write a short, humorous text, maximum 600 words long.

1. Comment on a commercial or advertisement that you think can have a negative impact on people's self-esteem.

2. Write a text about how you and people around you are impacted by advertising.

3. Imagine that you are the boss of a large corporation. Write a text about how you see your customers and/or how you see advertising.