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Aug 28, 2024 · You will be set a question that asks you to write about an unseen poem. It is tempting to jump straight in and start analysing the given poem immediately. However, completing the steps below first will ensure you answer the question in the way that examiners are looking for. 4 key steps to answer the unseen poetry exam question effectively: 1.
- Rhyme and rhyme scheme. When we think of poetry, rhyme is probably the first poetic device that comes to mind. From the tales of Mother Goose to the works of the greats, it’s one of the defining characteristics of poetry.
- Meter. Meter is the basic structure of a line of poetry, whereby stressed and unstressed syllables are used in a predetermined way to create rhythm. In a sense, it’s the heartbeat of a poem.
- Lineation. Also known as layout, lineation is about how words and sentences are physically arranged on the page. While poetry is often best enjoyed when spoken aloud, it can also be a visual medium — and lineation is a large part of that.
- Form. Pulling back for a second, let’s take a wider look at poetry in general and talk about form. Form is the actual structure of a poem and consists of three parts: rhyme scheme, meter, and lineation.
anaphora. the repetition of a word or phrase, usually at the beginning of a line. alliteration. the repetition of sounds in a sequence of words. (See also consonance and assonance.) allegory. narrative with two levels of meaning, one stated and one unstated. apostrophe.
- Allegory. An allegory is a story, poem, or other written work that can be interpreted to have a secondary meaning. Aesop’s Fables are examples of allegories, as they are ostensibly about one thing (such as “The Ant and the Grasshopper”) but actually have a secondary meaning.
- Alliteration. Alliteration is the repetition of a sound or letter at the beginning of multiple words in a series. “Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary…”
- Allusion. An allusion is an indirect reference to something. “The Cunninghams are country folks, farmers, and the crash hit them hardest.” - Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird.
- Apostrophe. An apostrophe is a poetic device where the writer addresses a person or thing that isn’t present with an exclamation. “O stranger of the future!
- Structure and Form
- Meter
- Rhyme and Rhyme Scheme
- Sound and Rhythm
- Subject
- Speaker
- Figurative Language and Poetic Devices
- Theme
- Tone and Mood
- Syntax
Poetry comes in a variety of forms and in each form follows a specific structure. For example, the sonnet form containing a set structure is different from odes. A free verse poem does not have the metrical regularity, which can be found in a blank versepoem. The structural elements found in poetry are: 1. Stanza: is a group of lines set off from o...
Meter is the definitive pattern found in verse. Some of the important metrical feet in English poetry include: 1. Iamb: consists of one unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable, as in des-pair, ex-clude, re-peat, etc. 2. Trochee: is a metrical foot containing one stressed syllable followed by an unstressed syllable, as in sis-ter, flow-e...
Rhyme is the repetitive pattern of sounds found in poetry. They are used to reinforce a pattern or rhyme scheme. In specific poetry forms such as ballads, sonnets, and couplets, the rhyme scheme is an important element. The common types of rhymesused in poetry are: 1. End Rhyme: is a common type of rhyme in poetry that occurs when the last word of ...
Sound and rhythm are other important elements of poetry. The sound of a poetic text means how a line or what sounds some specific words evoke in readers’ minds. Rhythm is a set pattern that is formed by these sounds. In poetry, rhythm refers to the metrical rhythm that involves the arrangement of syllables into repeating patterns called feet. For e...
The subject or content of poetry differs across a variety of forms. A subject is what the poem is about. For instance, the subjects of sonnets include love and admiration for one’s beloved, heartache and separation. Whereas divine sonnets include the subjects of devotions to God, enlightenment, and salvation. Elegiesare written in memory of someone...
Speaker is one who narrates the poem. In poetry, we tend to think that the poet is the speaker himself. However, it is not always the case. Sometimes, poets assume an imaginative character and write the poem from their perspective. Generally, the poem is told from the perspective of a first-person speaker or a third-person speaker. Poets also use t...
Poetry uses figurative language and different poetic devices to suggest different interpretations of words or to evoke other ideas that are not literally connected with the words. The sound devices such as alliteration, assonance, consonance, and onomatopoeia are used to create musical effects. Elements of poetic diction such as irony, symbolism, a...
The theme is a recurring idea or a pervading thought in a work of literature. Poetry themes include some common ideas such as love, nature, beauty, and as complex as death, spirituality, and immortality. An understanding of the theme helps readers to identify the core message of the poem or the poet’s purpose for writing the poem. For example, the ...
Diction is another significant aspect of poetry. It refers to the language, sound, and form used in a particular piece of poetry. The tone or attitude of a poem’s speaker and the mood of the entire text is part of poetic diction. To understand the speaker’s attitude or tone to the subject, readers have to look for the poet’s choice of words, figura...
The syntax is the ordering of words into meaningful patterns. Poetry has a distinct syntax compared to prose, fiction, and other forms of literature. Poets manipulate the conventional syntax to emphasize specific words. The purpose of adopting a specific syntax and diction is to achieve certain artistic effects such as tone, mood, etc. For instance...
Aug 16, 2021 · How to Analyze Poetry: 10 Steps for Analyzing a Poem. Written by MasterClass. Last updated: Aug 16, 2021 • 5 min read. From flowing words to rhythmic beats, poems have a lyrical quality that is pleasing to the ear. But to truly understand poetry, you must unpack it—examine each element on its own to discover what a poem means.
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6. Revise. 7. Get feedback. 8. Revise, revise, revise. 1. Write down all your ideas. Getting started is sometimes the hardest part, so it makes sense to start at the source.
