Unseen Poetry: How to approach a poem English Literature Exam: Poetry/ Unseen

Unseen Poetry: How to approach a poem

English Literature Exam: Poetry/ Unseen

In your response you need to show that you can;

AO1 respond to texts critically and imaginatively; select and evaluate relevant quotations to illustrate and support interpretations

AO2 explain how language, structure and form contribute to writers’ presentation of ideas, themes and settings


Can you do empathy? If you were her mum, what would you want to give her advice on?

By the end of this lesson you will be able to:• Identify key words and themes in an unseen poem. • Read and responded to key ideas presented in an unseen poem. • Write a paragraph with three interpretations of the poem.


Carousel Graffiti

Here are words/ phrases from the poem that we will study during today’s lesson.

Whilst the music is playing look at each word/ phrase and graffiti your response to the connotations attached to it.SONG Connotation: NounAn idea or feeling that a word invokes for a person in addition to its literal or primary meaning.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qei_ccdgTMU


Learning check point: initial response

In the first section of your progression placemat answer the following question:Using the words around the room, what is your initial

response to the poem?


Advice to a Teenage Daughter

You have found a new war-gamecalled Love.Here on your dressing-tablestand arrayedbrave ranks of lipsticksbrandishingswords of cherry pink and flame.Behold the miniature armiesof little jars,packed with the scenteddynamite of flowers.See the dreaded tweezers;tiny potsof manufactured moonlight,stick-on-stars.Beware my sweet;conquest may seem easybut you can’t compete with football,motor-cycles, cars,cricket, computer games,or a plate of chips.

ISOBEL THRILLING


Learning check point: after first reading

In the second section of your progression placemat answer the following question:

What do you think the poem is about?



Group task: analysis

In the exam you only have 30 minutes to write about an unseen poem, therefore you must be clear about what to analyse!Important aspects of an unseen poem:1. Important images - what do they suggest?2. First line - what mood is created?3. Last line - what mood is created?4. Voice - who is speaking and how do you know?5. Title - how does it relate to the poem?

In groups of four you will be given one of these key areas to

study, be prepared to feedback your ideas.




In the third section of your progression placemat answer the following question:

How has the group discussion aided your understanding of the poem?


Model Response

The beginning of the poem is used to immediately reveal the source of the mother’s concerns. “You have found a new war-gamecalled Love.”The structure of the poem leaves love almost by itself on a line to highlight its importance or even to hint how love can be isolating and lonely. In the above quotation, Thrilling uses war language to describe love, clearly suggesting that she believes it will be a painful and difficult experience, as well as fun and this is summed up by the use of oxymoron in “war game.”

AO1 AO2 struc A02 lang and tech


Now write one high quality paragraph as demonstrated on the previous slide about your favourite line within the poem.

Use some of these phrases to help you express your ideas in a more sophisticated and literary way:

The writer presents____________ as The writer has used_________ to intensify the feeling of_______ The use of ___________ accentuates the idea that_________ The writer’s use of ____________ emphasises Evocative imagery of ____________ encourages the reader to ____ Other useful words: illustrates, highlights, creates a sense of, creates the

impression that…

Now it’s your turn!




In the third section of your progression placemat answer the following question:

Can you interpret a quotation from the poem in different ways?


Meaning Main Structure/Form Points

Main Language and Techniques Personal Response

Extra topping 1 Extra Topping 2

Key Term What does it mean? Why is it used?

Stanza Verse

Simile Comparison using “like” or “as”

Metaphor Comparison -saying something is something it is not

Personification Something non-human is given human characteristics

Onomatopoeia A word that replicates the sound it describes

Alliteration: Two initial sounds repeated close together

•Sibilance The S- sound

•Plosives The P and B-sound

•Fricatives The F and TH sound

Assonance Repetition of vowels

Enjambment Sentences run on across verses

Rhyme Same Endings

Rhythm Beat

Tone Feel

Juxtaposition Placing close together

Hyperbole Exaggeration

Euphemism Kind or nice version

Cliché Overused phrase

Oxymoron Two word phrase that contradicts itself

Documents

Unseen Poetry: How to approach a poem English Literature Exam: Poetry/ Unseen