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Still I Rise

A powerful poem about dignity, courage and hope by Maya Angelou

B1–B250–60 minutesClassic LiteraturePrintable
Teacher lesson: B1 learners may need vocabulary support; B2 learners can explore imagery in greater depth. Introduce the context of racism and the legacy of slavery. Accept interpretations supported by evidence. Preview the full poem for your class and use fictional examples for personal-response tasks. Teacher answers are stored separately.
Teacher AnswersClassic Literature
1 Lesson Goals
AI illustration of a confident Black woman overlooking the ocean at sunrise

By the end of this lesson, I will be able to:

  • explain the poem’s main message.
  • identify repetition, simile and metaphor.
  • support an interpretation with evidence.
  • write about courage and self-respect.
Start here: What might rising symbolise? Predict two ideas from the title and picture.
2 Read & Listen

Still I Rise — Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou (1928–2014) was an American poet, memoirist and civil rights activist. This poem appeared in her collection And Still I Rise in 1978.

The speaker asserts her worth despite racism and attempts to humiliate her. The ending connects her confidence with Black history, ancestors and freedom.

Read the poem and play the audio →

First reading: Read for the overall mood. Choose: defeated, uncertain or determined. Explain your choice.

Second reading: Notice the natural images, repeated words and questions. Use the audio player on the poem page to hear the rhythm.

Print preparation: Keep the source page available on a screen, or use an authorised classroom copy of the poem alongside this worksheet.

Poem source: Academy of American Poets. Author background: Maya Angelou’s official biography.

3 Vocabulary

Match 1–6 with A–F. Then find these words in the poem.

1. bitter
2. gloom
3. sassiness
4. haughtiness
5. ancestors
6. tides

A. people in earlier generations of a family
B. regular rises and falls of the sea
C. sadness or darkness
D. full of resentment or anger
E. a bold, cheeky manner
F. a manner that seems overly proud or superior

Discuss: Why might a hostile person describe confidence negatively?

Use two vocabulary words in your own sentences.

4 Check Your Understanding
  1. What is the speaker’s attitude towards those who try to hurt her?
  2. Choose one natural image. What does it suggest?
  3. What effect does repeating the idea of rising have?
  4. How do the questions challenge the person being addressed?
  5. Why are the ancestors important in the ending?
  6. How does the poem connect personal strength with a wider history?

Answer in your own words. Refer to the poem to support two answers.

5 Language & Poetry

Poetry detective: Find an example of each technique in the source poem. Name the technique and explain its effect.

  • Repetition: a word or idea used again for emphasis.
  • Simile: a comparison using like or as.
  • Metaphor: describing one thing as another.
  • Rhetorical question: a question used to make a point.

Original language practice — these sentences are not from the poem. Join each pair using although.

  1. Others doubt her. She trusts herself.
  2. The task is difficult. We keep trying.
  3. He feels nervous. He speaks clearly.

Use a comma after an opening although clause.

6 Think & Speak

Discuss in pairs. Give a reason for each view.

  • What is the difference between confidence and arrogance?
  • Which image best expresses strength? Why?
  • How can language challenge unfair treatment?
  • How could a community help people feel valued?
Useful frames: I interpret this as… because… / Another possibility is… / The image suggests…

Use examples from books, public life or imagined situations.

Still I Rise — Continued
7 Use Your English

Choose one task. Write 100–120 words.

  • Explain how the poem creates a confident voice. Discuss two techniques.
  • Write a supportive message to an imagined person facing a setback.
  • Write a short original poem about courage. Include repetition and a natural image.

Use your own words. Check sentence boundaries, spelling and connectors.

8 Puzzle or Game
Technique detectives:

In groups, make four cards: repetition, simile, metaphor and rhetorical question. One student points to an example on the source poem page. The others select a technique card and explain their choice. Award one point for identifying the technique and one for a convincing explanation.

Write your strongest explanation:

9 Success Criteria ✓

Tick each statement when you can do it.

  • I can explain the central message.
  • I can use three new vocabulary words.
  • I can identify three poetic techniques.
  • I can support my ideas with evidence.

One idea I will remember:

10 Show What You Can Do

Plan: Note your interpretation, two examples from the poem and one technique to discuss.

Respond: Write 6–8 sentences, or prepare a 45-second spoken response: How does Angelou create a powerful, hopeful voice?

Reflect: Underline your clearest explanation of how language creates meaning.