Writing about poetry

Writing about one poem
First, before planning your essay, consider

What is your immediate reaction to the poem? – Is it to do with its mood? The images in the poem? The sound of the lines? The message?

What do you think the poet’s aim is in the poem? – Could be to entertain; to make a political point; to describe a particular scene or person etc.

What is the theme or idea behind the poem? How obvious is this?

Why do you think the writer chose to write a poem rather than a piece of prose or draw a picture etc

Now plan your essay.

Introduction

Start with a brief sentence indicating the most significant aspect of the poem: could be theme, images, tone. Indicate what the theme and structure are (e.g. ‘The sonnet form is traditionally associated with the theme of love and here Wordsworth expresses his admiration for London.’).
Following paragraphs

Work through the poem, showing how the style reinforces the theme and the poet’s attitude. You need to be commenting closely on style but don’t just list/ identify stylistic devices: you must indicate what effect they have in creating a clear image/ underlining the atmosphere/ creating a sense of humour etc. Quotation is essential.
Conclusion

Avoid repeating points you’ve already made. Consider what do you now see as most important about the poem? What message is made clear by the end? You might know of some other poem/ passage/ image which makes an interesting comparison. You might give some indication of how the poem relates to the context in which it was written, e.g. how it increases your understanding of a historical/ cultural/ social situation.
If you are writing on two poems

The initial thinking is the same, considering each of these questions for each poem.

Then consider why/ how the two poems are interesting to compare. Are they similar or different? They are likely to have both similarities and differences, obviously, but consider which of these are most significant and most interesting.
Introduction

Start with a brief sentence, indicating the most significant aspect of the poems, indicating whether this is shared or a point of difference (e.g. ‘War is the setting for both poems but …’ or ‘Although one is set in the war and the other in a school, the poems share a sense of the futility…’).

Following paragraphs

Probably best to work through one poem, as if only studying one; then make a linking sentence and then start on second, providing some comments about parallels/ contrasts as you deal with the second.

Conclusion

Draw points together, emphasising the interesting points of similarity and difference. Consider the points raised in the prompt for writing on one poem. Try not to repeat points from earlier in the essay, or only mention briefly.

Poetic devices/ literary terms
alliteration
assonance
imagery
metaphor
simile
repetition
rhyme
rhythm
oomatopoeia
verse
stanza
ballad
sonnet
free verse
blank verse
narrative
dramatic monologue
satire

Short Story reminder sheet

Please also refer to the specifications for English Literature Poetry and Prose and for English Unit 2, which you have in your files.

Used for English and English Literature. Remember that in English Unit 2 you use the second six stories only. In English Literature you use all the stories.

Both English and English Literature want you to explore how an idea/ theme/ situation/ relationship is developed in two stories. Both may expect you to show perception about the cultural difference as shown in stories. This needs to be integrated into your analysis of the stories.

English - 35 minutes - Choice of two questions

The questions expect you to demonstrate awareness of 'distinctive aspects of texts from different cultures and traditions by exploring the ways in which writers use language and structure to create character/ setting/ theme.' i.e. culture tends to be implicit or explicit in the question.

English Literature: 40-45 minutes - Choice of three questions

The questions expect you to make 'comment, criticism [= discussion of how rather than judgement] and analysis [and] will invite reference to relevant contextual features' - i.e. opportunity to demonstrate that you've understood the significant features of this different society.

In both papers there will be a passage-based question. Read the question carefully to see whether your whole essay should focus just on the passages or whether wider reference is needed. You may find opportunities to make passing references to other parts of the story, so long as they are relevant and you don't just tell the story. Avoiding narrative/ description is most important. Always focus on what idea you are wanting to present.

5-point approach to initial thinking and planning

1 theme/ topic - how central is it? does it relate to other themes in story?

2 how do the characters show it?

3 what is the importance of setting (including cultural setting)

4 language - description/ dialogue/ authorial comment/ thoughts - how do they make the theme (or whatever the essay question wanted) evident?

5 what does comparison of the stories reveal (about question topic)

Poetry Podcasts

If you want to try something different for revision and can put up with listening to Mr Peachey for a few minutes, you might want to try listening to (or downloading) these revision MP3 files: Charles Causley's 'Nursery Rhyme of Innocence and Experience' and Wilfred Owen's 'Dulce et Decorum Est'.

Language essays for GCSE English

You have to write three essays in Section B: one in Unit 1 (writing to inform, explain, describe) and two in Unit 2 (writing to analyse, review, comment; writing to argue, persuade, advise). There are some general rules for approaching these: be aware of audience, format, development/ structure. Also read the question very carefully: it's amazing how easy it is to miss the point, e.g. if it asks about local holidays then Iceland won't do.

Check audience - e.g. fellow students, parents, teachers, parents and students together, members of the public (they may identify a particular group or you may need to select one - if so, make clear in your speech what group you've chosen), head of the school

Check format - e.g speech, letter (formal or informal), article (magazine/ newsletter/ website), leaflet

Note for letters: check the rubric (instructions) carefully - you rarely need to provide an address for letters in exams: the question frequently says 'Start your letter Dear Students' or similar. You do need to have the appropriate ending: Dear Sir ... Yours faithfully or Dear Miss Avery ... Yours sincerely. Remember that signatures do not include your title (Miss/ Professor/ Duke etc) and that you should not waste time designing tear-off slips etc.

Note for leaflets: again check rubric - generally you are asked for 'the words of a leaflet' so do not lay out your information in leaflet style. You may wish to have sections with separate headings and you may have some bullet points but the substantial part of your writing (at least 3/4 of it) should be continuous prose.

Development/ structure: have 3-4 strong points, each of which will make a separate paragraph. Consider whether you need examples, quotations, (brief) anecdotes. You can make up examples and quotations, but keep them short and credible.

When planning and writing, try to keep the audience and situation firmly in your mind: imagine giving a speech to the rest of the form/ writing a letter to Miss Avery etc. Think of how to start to get their attention (but make sure it's appropriate to your audience); consider what style is best (remember, though, that you are demonstrating to your examiner that you can handle language well ... a series of slang expressions and in-jokes is not going to impress him/her). Think of a good ending, making especially sure that you have fulfilled the requirements of the question. Humour can be effective but a sarcastic note throughout rarely works and avoid going over the top in descriptions.