UNSEEN POETRY Secondary 3 Literature 2016
What is Poetry?
How to approach the Unseen Poetry Section? 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: a) What do you find dramatic about the portrayal of the character, Emily? Use the question to frame your analysis of 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.
How to approach the Unseen Poetry Section? i. Get the basic story / the general idea 5 Ws THEME
How to approach the Unseen Poetry Section? 2. Analysing the Poem i. Get the basic story / the general idea 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?)
How to approach the Unseen Poetry Section? 2. Analysing the Poem i. Get the basic story / the general idea 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!
How to approach the Unseen Poetry Section? ii. Close Reading TRIFTS A structure to help break down the poem CONFLICT
TITLE REPETITION How to approach the Unseen Poetry Section? ii. Close Reading 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. 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.
IMAGERY How to approach the Unseen Poetry Section? ii. Close Reading 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.
FIG LANGUAGE How to approach the Unseen Poetry Section? ii. Close Reading 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.
TONE How to approach the Unseen Poetry Section? ii. Close Reading 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.
SOUND How to approach the Unseen Poetry Section? ii. Close Reading 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?
How to approach the Unseen Poetry Section? TITLE REPETITION IMAGERY FIG LANGUAGE TONE SOUND ii. Close Reading
How to approach the Unseen Poetry Section? ii. Close Reading 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 Get the general idea: 5 Ws, Theme Close Reading: TRIFTS, Conflict
TASK! (p. 3-5) 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.