Simon Armitage info Simon Armitage , is a poet and novelist . He was born in 1963 in England. He us undoubtedly the most popular and widely know poet of his 1960’s – born generation. Armitage is often noted for his “ear”- holding a strong sense of rhythm and metre. Armitage’s family also features in his poetry; his father was a probation officer, as was Armitage himself until 1994.   His poetry demonstrates a strong concern for social issues as well as drawing on his Yorkshire roots. Adolescence and growing up are common themes in Armitage’s work. His poetry often deals with aspects of modern life; his use of contemporary language and Northern dialect add to the ‘down to earth’ feel of his work, while his musical understanding and wit give his writing a vivid, lively feel.

‘Out of the blue’ Where have you heard this saying before? Has anything ever happened to you ‘out of the blue’? Was it a positive  or negative  experience? L.O To examine the form, structure and language in the poem ‘Out of the Blue’

OUT OF THE BLUE- SIMON ARMITAGE

Task Read through the poem ‘Extract from Out of the Blue’ by Simon Armitage. Do you think that this poem is about a positive  ‘out of the blue’ experience or a negative  ‘out of the blue’ experience? Why? Highlight any positive words/imagery in one colour and any negative words imagery in another colour. What do you think the poem is about? Use evidence to justify your ideas. L.O To examine the form, structure and language in the poem ‘Out of the Blue’

Look at what happened ‘Out of the Blue’ on September the 11th 2001…

The Falling Man photograph The Falling Man is a photograph taken by photographer Richard Drew, of a man falling from the North Tower of the World Trade Centre at 9:41:15 a.m. during the September 11 attacks in New York. The man’s identity is uncertain but is thought to be Jonathan Briley, a top-floor restaurant worker who was trapped on an upper floor – one of about 200 people who either fell as they searched for safety or jumped to escape the fire and smoke; there was no time to recover or identify those who were forced out of the buildings before the towers collapsed. The New York City medical examiner's office stated that it does not classify the people who fell to their deaths on September 11 as "jumpers": "A 'jumper' is somebody who goes to the office in the morning knowing that they will commit suicide... These people were forced out by the smoke and flames or blown out."

What’s the poem about? The poem is spoken by a victim of the 9/11 terrorist attack in 2001 He describes being in one of the burning buildings. He is talking to someone watching this on TV. He pleads for help, but it’s useless. L.O To examine the form, structure and language in the poem ‘Out of the Blue’