UNSEEN POETRY

Secondary 3 Literature 2016

What is Poetry?

1. Reading the Question

2. Analysing the Poem

3. Answering the Question (Will be covered in Week 2)

How to approach the Unseen Poetry Section?

1. Reading the Question

◦Underline KEY WORDS in the question

◦Break-up the keyword into 2-4 points

How to approach the Unseen Poetry Section?

Example:

How to approach the Unseen Poetry Section?

a) What do you find dramatic about the portrayal of the character, Emily?

Use the question to

frame your analysis of

the poem

2. Analysing the poem

How to approach the Unseen Poetry Section?

To analyse is to go

beyond what is

presented literally in

the poem by

examining the poem

critically.

BREAK THE POEM INTO

PIECES AND THEN PUT IT

BACK TOGETHER AGAIN

WITH A RENEWED

UNDERSTANDING.

2. Analysing the poem

i. Get the basic ‘story’ / the general idea

How to approach the Unseen Poetry Section?

5 Ws

THEME

2. Analysing the Poem

i. Get the basic ‘story’ / the general idea

How to approach the Unseen Poetry Section?

5 Ws

Who: What: When:

Where: Why:

Speaker, Characters in the poem, Audience The ‘story’, Issue, Idea conveyed Context of the poem (e.g. historical context), specific moment Place (could be metaphorical) Purpose of the poem (why is the poet conveying such an idea?)

2. Analysing the Poem

i. Get the basic ‘story’ / the general idea

How to approach the Unseen Poetry Section?

THEME

Main idea that is developed in the poem.

(e.g. love, war, family, identity)

Understand which theme the poem is

exploring and the opinion that the poet

has about that theme.

At the end of your analysis, you should be

able to write a thematic statement about

the poem.

So far, we have gone through: Reading the question

Starting the analysis by getting the

general idea of poem using 5Ws and

Theme

Let’s now move on to the second part of

analysis!

2. Analysing the poem

ii. Close Reading

How to approach the Unseen Poetry Section?

TRIFTS

CONFLICT

A structure

to help

break down

the poem

2. Analysing the poem

ii. Close Reading

How to approach the Unseen Poetry Section?

TITLE The title of a poem could be literal, metaphorical or symbolic but it would still present a huge hint as to

what the poem is about. Always read the title first before reading the poem

itself. REPETITION Poets do not repeat certain words and ideas because

they have nothing else to talk about. Repetition is an emphasis on something.

Find out what and why the poet is emphasizing.

2. Analysing the poem

ii. Close Reading

How to approach the Unseen Poetry Section?

IMAGERY Vivid and descriptive language used by the poet to create a certain image about something in the minds of

the reader. Imagery would usually pique our five senses.

While analysing, look at the poet’s use of diction (choice of words) when he describes. Do question why

the poet used such imagery.

2. Analysing the poem

ii. Close Reading

How to approach the Unseen Poetry Section?

FIG LANGUAGE Non-literal expression of meaning. Examples of figurative language include metaphor, simile,

personification, oxymoron, hyperbole, juxtaposition

Go beyond identifying the figurative language used. Do explain its effects and link to the issue in the poem and

question.

2. Analysing the poem

ii. Close Reading

How to approach the Unseen Poetry Section?

TONE Poets use tone to reveal attitudes and emotions towards the issue explored in the poem. Tone may

change as the poem progresses. A poem may start off with a bitter tone and end off with a hopeful tone.

Think about the poet’s stand towards the issue explored in the poem and why the poet presents that

change in tone.

2. Analysing the poem

ii. Close Reading

How to approach the Unseen Poetry Section?

SOUND A poem is usually best read aloud so that the sound of the poem comes alive. Sound can determine the pace

of the poem.

To pick up the sound of the poem, you may look at rhyme, rhythm, enjambment and even alliteration.

Once again, ask yourself why the poet chose to present the poem at such a pace – what does it emphasize?

2. Analysing the poem

ii. Close Reading

How to approach the Unseen Poetry Section?

TITLE REPETITION IMAGERY FIG LANGUAGE TONE SOUND

2. Analysing the poem

ii. Close Reading

How to approach the Unseen Poetry Section?

CONFLICT Self vs. Self

Self vs. Others ‘Others’ can

include other individuals, the

society, community, nation, world

Ideas/Beliefs vs. Ideas/Beliefs

Let’s apply the approach to a poem!

Quick recap:

1.Reading the Question Highlight key words

Break up key words into 2-4 points

2. Analysing the poem Get the general idea: 5 Ws, Theme

Close Reading: TRIFTS, Conflict

Read the poem and annotations and fill in the table accordingly. Based on your understanding of the analysis, write a thematic statement about the poem.

TASK! (p. 3-5)