how to structure a level poetry essay

How to Write a Poetry Essay: Step-By-Step-Guide

Table of contents

1 What Is A Poetry Analysis?
2 How to Choose a Poem for Analysis?
3.0.1 Introduction
3.0.2 Main Body
3.0.3 Conclusion
4.1 Title of the Poem
4.2 Poetry Background
4.3 Structure of the Poem
4.4 Tone and Intonation of the Poetry
4.5 Language Forms and Symbols of the Poetry
4.6 Poetic devices
4.7 Music of the Poem
4.8 Purpose of Poem
5 Poetry Analysis Template
6 Example of Poem Analysis

Edgar Allan Poe once said:

“Poetry is the rhythmical creation of beauty in words.”

The reader’s soul enjoys the beauty of the words masterfully expressed by the poet in a few lines. How much meaning is invested in these words, and even more lies behind them? For this reason, poetry is a constant object of scientific interest and the center of literary analysis.

As a university student, especially in literary specialties, you will often come across the need to write a poetry analysis essay. It may seem very difficult when you encounter such an essay for the first time. This is not surprising because even experienced students have difficulty performing such complex studies. This article will point you in the right direction and can be used as a poetry analysis worksheet.

What Is A Poetry Analysis?

Any poetry analysis consists in an in-depth study of the subject of study and the background details in which it is located. Poetry analysis is the process of decomposing a lyrical work into its smallest components for a detailed study of the independent elements. After that, all the data obtained are reassembled to formulate conclusions and write literary analysis . The study of a specific lyric poem also includes the study of the hidden meaning of the poem, the poet’s attitude and main idea, and the expression of individual impressions. After all, the lyrics aim to reach the heart of the reader.

The goal of the poetry analysis is to understand a literary work better. This type of scientific research makes it possible to study entire categories of art on the example of specific works, classify them as certain movements, and find similarities and differences with other poems representing the era.

A poetry analysis essay is a very common type of an essay for university programs, especially in literary and philological areas. Students are often required to have extensive knowledge as well as the ability of in-depth analysis. Such work requires immersion in the context and a high level of concentration.

How to Choose a Poem for Analysis?

You are a really lucky person if you have the opportunity to choose a poem to write a poetry analysis essay independently. After all, any scientific work is moving faster and easier if you are an expert and interested in the field of study. First of all, choose a poet who appeals to you. The piece is not just a set of sentences united by a common meaning. Therefore, it is primarily a reflection of the thoughts and beliefs of the author.

Also, choose a topic that is interesting and close to you. It doesn’t matter if it is an intimate sonnet, a patriotic poem, or a skillful description of nature. The main thing is that it arouses your interest. However, pay attention to the size of the work to make your work easier. The volume should be sufficient to conduct extensive analysis but not too large to meet the requirement for a poem analysis essay.

Well, in the end, your experience and knowledge of the poetry topic are important. Stop choosing the object of study that is within the scope of your competence. In this way, you will share your expert opinion with the public, as well as save yourself from the need for additional data searches required for better understanding.

Poem Analysis Essay Outline

A well-defined structure is a solid framework for your writing. Sometimes our thoughts come quite chaotically, or vice versa, you spend many hours having no idea where to start writing. In both cases, a poem analysis outline will come to your aid. Many students feel that writing an essay plan is a waste of time. However, you should reconsider your views on such a work strategy. And although it will take you time to make a poetry analysis essay outline, it will save you effort later on. While a perfect way out is to ask professionals to write your essays online , let’s still take a look at the key features of creating a paper yourself. Working is much easier and more pleasant when you understand what to start from and what to rely on. Let’s look at the key elements of a poem analysis essay structure.

The essence of a poetry essay outline is to structure and organize your thoughts. You must divide your essay into three main sections: introduction, body, and conclusions. Then list brainstormed ideas that you are going to present in each of these parts.

Introduction

Your essay should begin with an introductory paragraph . The main purpose of this section is to attract the attention of the reader. This will ensure interest in the research. You can also use these paragraphs to provide interesting data from the author of the poem and contextual information that directly relates to your poem but is not a part of the analysis yet.

Another integral part of the poem analysis essay introduction is the strong thesis statement . This technique is used when writing most essays in order to summarize the essence of the paper. The thesis statement opens up your narrative, giving the reader a clear picture of what your work will be about. This element should be short, concise, and self-explanatory.

The central section of a literary analysis essay is going to contain all the studies you’ve carried out. A good idea would be to divide the body into three or four paragraphs, each presenting a new idea. When writing an outline for your essay, determine that in the body part, you will describe:

The central idea.
Analysis of poetic techniques used by the poet.
Your observations considering symbolism.
Various aspects of the poem.

Make sure to include all of the above, but always mind the coherence of your poem literary analysis.

In the final paragraph , you have to list the conclusions to which your poetry analysis came. This is a paragraph that highlights the key points of the study that are worth paying attention to. Ensure that the information in the conclusion matches your goals set in the introduction. The last few lines of a poem usually contain the perfect information for you to wrap up your paper, giving your readers a ground for further thought.

Tips on How to Analyze a Poem

Now, having general theoretical information about what a poetry analysis essay is, what its components are, and how exactly you can make an outline, we are ready to move on to practical data. Let’s take a closer look at the key principles that you should rely on in the poetry analysis. As you might guess, just reading a poem will not be enough to make a comprehensive analysis. You have to pay attention to the smallest details to catch what other researchers have not noticed before you.

Title of the Poem

And although the poems do not always have a title, if the work you have chosen has a name, then this is a good basis for starting the poetry analysis. The title of the poetic work gives the understanding of what the poet considers to be the key ideas of his verse. In some cases, this element directly reflects the theme and idea of the poem. However, there are also common cases when the poet plays with the name, putting the opposite information into it. Look at the correlation between the title and the content of the poem. This may give you new clues to hidden meanings.

Poetry Background

To fully immerse yourself in the context of the verse, you need to study the prerequisites for its writing. Analyze poetry and pay attention to the period of the author’s life in which the work was written. Study what emotions prevailed in a given time. The background information will help you study the verse itself and what is behind it, which is crucial for a critical analysis essay . What was the poet’s motivation, and what sensations prompted him to express himself specifically in this form? Such in-depth research will give you a broad understanding of the author’s intent and make your poem analysis essay writing more solid.

This fragment of your poem analysis essay study also includes interpretations of all the difficult or little-known words. Perhaps the analyzed poem was written using obsolete words or has poetic terms. For a competent poem analysis, you need to have an enhanced comprehension of the concepts.

Structure of the Poem

Each lyrical work consists of key elements. The theory identifies four main components of a poem’s structure: stanza, rhyme, meter, and line break. Let’s clarify each of the terms separately so that you know exactly what you are supposed to analyze.

The stanza is also called a verse. This element is a group of lines joined together and separated from other lines by a gap. This component of the poem structure exists for the ordering of the poem and the logical separation of thoughts.

The next crucial element is rhyme. This is a kind of pattern of similar sounds that make up words. There are different types of a rhyme schemes that a particular poem can follow. The difference between the species lies in the spaces between rhyming words. Thus, the most common rhyme scheme in English literature is iambic pentameter.

The meter stands for a composite of stressed and unstressed syllables, following a single scheme throughout the poem. According to the common silabotonic theory, the poem’s rhythm determines the measure of the verse and its poetic form. In other words, this is the rhythm with which lyrical works are written.

Finally, the line break is a technique for distinguishing between different ideas and sentences within the boundaries of one work. Also, the separation serves the reader as a key to understanding the meaning, thanks to the structuring of thoughts. If the ideas went continuously, this would create an extraordinary load on perception, and the reader would struggle to understand the intended message.

Writing an essay about poetry requires careful attention and analysis. Poems, although short, can be intricate and require a thorough understanding to interpret them effectively. Some students may find it challenging to analyze poetry and may consider getting professional help or pay to do an assignment on poetry. Regardless of the approach, it is essential to create a well-structured essay that examines the poem’s meaning and provides relevant examples.

Tone and Intonation of the Poetry

The tone and intonation of the poem could be analyzed based on two variables, the speaker and the recipient. Considering these two sides of the narrative, you can reach a better overview of the analyzed poem.

The first direction is to dig deeper into the author’s ideas by analyzing thematic elements. Pay attention to any information about the poet that can be gleaned from the poem. What mood was the author in when he wrote it, what exactly he felt, and what he wanted to share? What could he be hiding behind his words? Why did the poet choose the exact literary form? Is it possible to trace a life position or ideology through analysis? All of this information will help you get a clue on how to understand a poem.

The analysis of the figure of the recipient is also going to uncover some crucial keys to coherent study. Analyze a poem and determine whether the poem was written for someone specific or not. Find out whether the poet put motivational value into his work or even called readers to action. Is the writer talking to one person or a whole group? Was the poem based on political or social interests?

Language Forms and Symbols of the Poetry

Having sufficiently analyzed the evident elements of the poem, it is time to pay attention to the images and symbols. This is also called the connotative meaning of the work. It can sometimes get challenging to interpret poems, so we will see which other poetic techniques you should consider in the poetry analysis essay.

To convey intricate ideas and display thoughts more vividly, poets often use figurative language. It mostly explains some terms without directly naming them. Lyrical expression works are rich in literary devices such as metaphor, epithet, hyperbole, personification, and others. It may sometimes get really tough to research those poem elements yourself, so keep in mind buying lit essay online. Descriptive language is also one of the techniques used in poems that requires different literary devices in order to make the story as detailed as possible.

To fully understand poetry, it is not enough just to describe its structure. It is necessary to analyze a poem, find the hidden meanings, multiple artistic means, references the poet makes, and the language of writing.

Poetic devices

Poetic devices, such as rhythm, rhyme, and sounds, are used to immerse the audience. The poets often use figurative techniques in various poems, discovering multiple possibilities for the readers to interpret the poem. To discover the composition dedicated to the precise verse, you need to read the poem carefully. Consider studying poetry analysis essay example papers to better understand the concepts. It is a certain kind of reader’s quest aimed at finding the true meaning of the metaphor the poet has hidden in the poem. Each literary device is always there for a reason. Try to figure out its purpose.

Music of the Poem

Many poems formed the basis of the songs. This does not happen by chance because each poem has its own music. Lyrical works have such elements as rhythm and rhyme. They set the pace for reading. Also, sound elements are often hidden in poems. The line break gives a hint about when to take a long pause. Try to pay attention to the arrangement of words. Perhaps this will reveal you a new vision of the analyzed poem.

Purpose of Poem

While you analyze a poem, you are supposed to search for the purpose. Each work has its purpose for writing. Perhaps this is just a process in which the author shares his emotions, or maybe it’s a skillful description of landscapes written under great impressions. Social lyrics illuminate the situation in society and pressing problems. Pay attention to whether the verse contains a call to action or an instructive context. Your task is to study the poem and analyze the motives for its writing. Understanding the general context, and especially the purpose of the poet will make your analysis unique.

Poetry Analysis Template

To make it easier for you to research, we have compiled a template for writing a poetry analysis essay. The best specialists of the our writing service have assembled the main guides that will serve as a layout for your essay. Choose a poem that suits you and analyze it according to this plan.

Introduction:

The title of the poem or sonnet
The name of the poet
The date the poem was first published
The background information and interesting facts about the poet and the poem
Identify the structure of the poem, and the main components
Find out the data about the speaker and recipient
State the purpose of the poem
Distinguish the topic and the idea of the verse

Figurative language:

Study the literary devices
Search for the hidden meanings

Following these tips, you will write a competitive poem analysis essay. Use these techniques, and you will be able to meet the basic requirements for quality work. However, don’t forget to add personality to your essay. Analyze both the choices of the author of the poem and your own vision. First of all, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Do not limit yourself to dry analysis, add your own vision of the poem. In this way, you will get a balanced essay that will appeal to teachers.

Example of Poem Analysis

Maya Angelou’s “Still I Rise,” is a powerful anthem of strength and resilience that has become an iconic piece of literature. The poem was written in the 1970s during the civil rights movement and was published in Angelou’s collection of poetry, “And Still I Rise,” in 1978. The structure of the poem is unique in that it is not divided into stanzas but is composed of a series of short phrases that are separated by semicolons. This creates a sense of continuity and momentum as the poem moves forward. The lack of stanzas also reflects the speaker’s determination to keep going, regardless of the obstacles she faces. The tone of the poem is confident and defiant, with a strong sense of pride in the speaker’s identity and heritage. The intonation is rhythmic and musical, with a repeated refrain that emphasizes the theme of rising above adversity. The language forms used in the poem are simple and direct. One of the most powerful symbols in the poem is the image of the rising sun… FULL POEM ANALYSIS

Our database is filled with a wide range of poetry essay examples that can help you understand how to analyze and write about poetry. Whether you are a student trying to improve your essay writing skills or a poetry enthusiast looking to explore different perspectives on your favorite poems, our collection of essays can provide valuable insights and inspiration. So take a look around and discover new ways to appreciate and interpret the power of poetry!

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What I love… Education based blog by @susansenglish

Why I love…An A Level Unseen Poetry Essay Structure

I’m tutoring a student for A Level English Literature, which is brilliant, as I love teaching A Level and my student is hugely enthusiastic and really listens and adapts her ideas/thinking/approaches (which is also brilliant).

We started by talking about the Assessment Objectives that underpin the essay criteria – A01 and A02 and discussed the way that the question will be framed and how this is very ambiguous:

In your response you are required to analyse how meanings are shaped.

(choice of two poems)

Analyse in detail the following poem. (30 marks)

We decided the key here is the meaning and how that can be drawn out.

We looked at past examiner feedback that stated the key to understanding was reading the poem and re-reading. With this in mind we talked about timing:

Exam total – 2 hours

Unseen Prose – (50 marks) 1 hour 15 minutes

Unseen Poetry – (30 marks) 45 minutes

For the Poetry this then divides into – 10 minutes reading and planning a response (focusing on what the poem means) – 30 minutes writing – 5 minutes editing.

After discussing this we went through the planning process. We decided that due to the vagueness of the question, framing a question around the summary of meaning was a good approach, so that the essay was focused and could adopt a sophisticated approach.

We also discussed the essay structure and how the meaning would drive the overall number of paragraphs and how the meaning should be drawn out. For A Level, unlike GCSE we would be thinking about the paragraphs as an organic part of the writing, rather than trying to teach an overall structure. In this way, there is more freedom for the interpretation, at least that is the intent!

As you can see at the bottom of the poem, we discussed how to start planning to time. This was because we both annotated the same poem, using the planning notes from earlier.

At the end of the session, we both wrote an introduction thinking about the rules we’d explored previously and how this could support what we wanted to say in the essay.

Both myself and the student had never studied the poem before. I used the wonderful @becky1820 (s) resources for this session, as she shared them with me, for the purpose of tutoring, and I only hope I’ve done them justice. The student will go on to write the essay independently and we’ll look at it together in another session.

**must work on my photography skills!

I hope that this is useful. I enjoyed the rich discussion around the process, the poem and just generally the love of the subject.

How to write a poetry essay

August 26, 2023

Whether you love literature or are just curious, this guide will help you understand, enjoy, and talk about poetry. So, let’s start exploring the world of lines and symbols, where each one tells a story to discover.

Here are the steps on writing a poetry essay.

Choose a poem

The first step is, of course, to choose a poem to write your essay .

It should be one that you find interesting, thought-provoking, or emotionally resonant. It’s important to select a poem that you can engage with and analyze effectively.

Choose a poem that genuinely captures your interest. Look for poems that evoke emotions, thoughts, or curiosity when you read them.
Consider the themes addressed in the poem. It should offer ample material for analysis.

When choosing a poem

So for this guide, let’s choose Emily Dickinson’s poem “Because I could not stop for Death.” You’ll see a short excerpt of this poem for your understanding.

Poem example for poetry essay

Because i couldn not stop for Death by Emily Dickinson

Because I could not stop for Death – He kindly stopped for me – The Carriage held but just Ourselves – And Immortality. We slowly drove – He knew no haste And I had put away My labor and my leisure too, For His Civility – We passed the School, where Children strove At Recess – in the Ring – We passed the Fields of Gazing Grain – We passed the Setting Sun – The poem continues....

This poem is intriguing due to its exploration of mortality, the afterlife, and eternity. The imagery and language in the poem provide ample material for analysis, making it a suitable choice for a comprehensive essay.

After carefully choosing the poem that interests you, understanding the poem is the biggest key to writing an effective and nice poetry essay.

Understand the poem

Reading the poem several times to grasp its meaning is the most important part of a good analysis. You must first analyze the structure, rhyme scheme , meter and literary tools used in the poem.

For a solid understanding, you should:

Read the poem multiple times to familiarize yourself with its content. Each reading may reveal new insights.
Identify the central themes or messages the poem conveys.
Study the rhyme scheme and meter (rhythmic pattern) of the poem.
Consider how the structure, including its stanzas, lines, and breaks, contributes to the poem's meaning and impact.

For example

Remember, understanding the poem thoroughly is the foundation for a well-informed analysis. Take your time to grasp the poem’s various elements before moving on to the next steps in your essay.

Now that we have a clear understanding of the poem, let’s move into writing the introduction.

Write a catchy introduction

Begin with an attention-grabbing hook sentence that piques the reader's interest.
Provide the necessary information about the poem and its author. Mention the poet's name and title of the poem.
Offer some context about the poem's time period, literary movement, or cultural influences.
Present your thesis statement , which outlines the main argument or focus of your essay.

Poetry essay introduction example

Introduction

Thesis statement for poetry essays

A thesis statement is a clear and concise sentence or two that presents the main argument or point of your essay . It provides a roadmap for your reader, outlining what they can expect to find in your essay.

In the case of a poetry essay, your thesis statement should capture the central message, themes, or techniques you’ll be discussing in relation to the poem.

Why is the thesis important for a poetry essay?

By reading your thesis statement, your audience should have a clear idea of what to expect from your poem analysis essay.

When creating a thesis statement, keep these in mind:

Start by identifying the key elements of the poem that you want to discuss. These could be themes, literary devices, emotions conveyed, or the poet's intentions.
Based on the key elements you've identified, formulate a central argument that encapsulates your main analysis. What is the poem trying to convey? What are you trying to say about the poem?
Your thesis should be specific and focused. Avoid vague or broad statements. Instead, provide a clear direction for your analysis.

Poetry essasy thesis statement example

....(introduction starts) ....(introduction continues) ....(introduction continues) In "Because I could not stop for Death," Emily Dickinson employs vivid imagery, personification, and an unconventional perspective on mortality to explore the transcendence of death and the eternity of the soul. Thesis statement, which is usually the last sentence of your introduction

Analyze language and imagery

Language and image analysis in poetry involves a close examination of the words, phrases and literary devices used by the poet. In this step you must uncover the deeper layers of meaning, emotion and sensory experiences conveyed by the poet’s choice of language and imagery.

Why language and imagery?

Start by identifying and listing the literary devices present in the poem. These could include metaphors, similes, personification, symbolism, alliteration, onomatopoeia, and more.
For each identified device, explain its significance. How does it contribute to the poem's meaning, mood, or tone?
Analyze how the literary devices interact with the context of the poem. How do they relate to the themes, characters, or situations presented in the poem?
Discuss how the use of specific language and imagery influences the reader's emotional response and understanding of the poem.

Continuing with Emily Dickinson’s “Because I could not stop for Death,” let’s analyze the use of imagery:

Language and imagery analysis example

Lines chosen for analysis

Discuss themes in body paragraphs

Exploring themes helps you grasp the deeper meaning of the poem and connect it to broader human experiences. Understanding the themes allows you to uncover what the poet is attempting to convey and how the poem relates to readers on a universal level.

In this step, you will likely dedicate multiple body paragraphs to the analysis of various aspects of language and imagery. Each body paragraph should focus on a specific literary device, phrase, or aspect of language and imagery.

Here’s how you can structure the body paragraphs.

Poetry essay body paragraphs example

Body Paragraph 1: Identify and Explain Literary Devices

Body Paragraph 2: Context and Interaction with Themes

Body Paragraph 3: Reader's emotional response and understanding

Provide evidence from the poem

Providing evidence involves quoting specific lines or stanzas from the poem to support the points you’re making in your analysis. These quotes serve as concrete examples that demonstrate how the poet uses language, imagery, or literary devices to convey specific meanings or emotions.

Select lines or stanzas from the poem that directly relate to the point you're making in your analysis.
Introduce each quote with context, explaining the significance of the lines and how they contribute to your analysis.
Use quotation marks to indicate that you're using the poet's language.
After providing the quote, interpret its meaning. Explain how the language, imagery, or devices used in the quoted lines contribute to your analysis.

Providing evidence example

In your essay, you should include several quotes and interpret them to reinforce your points. Quoting specific lines from the poem allows you to showcase the poet’s language while demonstrating how these lines contribute to the poem’s overall expression.

Write a conclusion

Conclusion paragraph is the last sentence of your poem analysis essay. It reinforces your thesis statement and emphasizes your insights.

Additionally, the conclusion offers a chance to provide a final thought that leaves a lasting impression on the reader. In your conclusion, make sure to:

Start by rephrasing your thesis statement. Remind the reader of the main argument you've made in your essay.
Provide a concise summary of the main points. Avoid introducing new information; focus on the key ideas.
Discuss the broader significance or implications. How does the poem's message relate to readers beyond its specific context?
End with a thoughtful reflection, observation, or question that leaves the reader with something to ponder.

Poetry essay conclusion example

In your essay, the conclusion serves as a final opportunity to leave a strong impression on the reader by summarizing your analysis and offering insights into the poem’s broader significance.

Now, it’s time to double check what you’ve written.

Proofread and revise your essay

Edit your essay for clarity, coherence, tense selection , correct headings , etc. Ensure that your ideas flow logically and your analysis is well-supported. Remember, a poetry essay is an opportunity to delve into the nuances of a poem’s language, themes, and emotions.

Review each paragraph to ensure ideas flow logically from one to the next.
Check for grammar and punctuation errors.
Verify that your evidence from the poem is accurately quoted and explained.
Make sure your language is clear and effectively conveys your analysis.

By proofreading and revising, you can refine your essay, improving its readability and ensuring that your insights are communicated accurately.

So this was the last part, you’re now ready to write your first poem analysis (poetry) essay.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should i include in the introduction of a poetry essay.

In the introduction, provide background information about the poem and poet. Include the poem’s title, publication date, and any relevant context that helps readers understand its significance.

Can I include my emotional responses in a poetry essay?

Yes, you can discuss your emotional responses, but ensure they are supported by your analysis of the poem’s literary elements. Avoid focusing solely on personal feelings.

Is it important to understand the poet's background when writing a poetry essay?

While it can provide context, your focus should be on analyzing the poem itself. If the poet’s background is relevant to the poem’s interpretation, mention it briefly.

What's the best way to conclude a poetry essay?

In the conclusion, summarize your main points and tie them together. Offer insights into the poem’s broader significance, implications, or lasting impact.

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A-Level English Literature

How to Write an A-Level English Literature Essay

A young woman is immersed in writing an A-level English Literature essay in a quiet café.A young woman is immersed in writing an A-level English Literature essay in a quiet café.

Writing an A-level English Literature essay is like creating a masterpiece. It’s a skill that can make a big difference in your academic adventure.

In this article, we will explore the world of literary analysis in an easy-to-follow way. We’ll show you how to organise your thoughts, analyse texts, and make strong arguments.

The Basics of Crafting A-Level English Literature Essays

Essay notes on a desk for 'How to Write A-Level English Literature Essays.'

Understanding the Assignment: Decoding Essay Prompts

Writing begins with understanding. When faced with an essay prompt, dissect it carefully. Identify keywords and phrases to grasp what’s expected. Pay attention to verbs like “analyse,” “discuss,” or “evaluate.” These guide your approach. For instance, if asked to analyse, delve into the how and why of a literary element.

Essay Structure: Building a Solid Foundation

The structure is the backbone of a great essay. Start with a clear introduction that introduces your topic and thesis. The body paragraphs should each focus on a specific aspect, supporting your thesis. Don’t forget topic sentences—they guide readers. Finally, wrap it up with a concise conclusion that reinforces your main points.

Thesis Statements: Crafting Clear and Powerful Arguments

Your thesis is your essay’s compass. Craft a brief statement conveying your main argument. It should be specific, not vague. Use it as a roadmap for your essay, ensuring every paragraph aligns with and supports it. A strong thesis sets the tone for an impactful essay, giving your reader a clear sense of what to expect.

Exploring PEDAL for Better A-Level English Essays

Going beyond PEE to PEDAL ensures a holistic approach, hitting the additional elements crucial for A-Level success. This structure delves into close analysis, explains both the device and the quote, and concludes with a contextual link.

Below are some examples to illustrate how PEDAL can enhance your essay:

Clearly state your main idea.

Example: “In this paragraph, we explore the central theme of love in Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet.'”

Pull relevant quotes from the text.

Example: “Citing Juliet’s line, ‘My only love sprung from my only hate,’ highlights the conflict between love and family loyalty.”

Identify a literary technique in the evidence.

Example: “Analysing the metaphor of ‘love sprung from hate,’ we unveil Shakespeare’s use of contrast to emphasise the intensity of emotions.”

Break down the meaning of the evidence.

Example: “Zooming in on the words ‘love’ and ‘hate,’ we dissect their individual meanings, emphasising the emotional complexity of the characters.”

Link to Context:

Connect your point to broader contexts.

Example: “Linking this theme to the societal norms of the Elizabethan era adds depth, revealing how Shakespeare challenges prevailing beliefs about love and family.”

Navigating the World of Literary Analysis

Top view of bookmarked books arranged neatly, symbolising literary exploration and analysis.

Breaking Down Literary Elements: Characters, Plot, and Themes

Literary analysis is about dissecting a text’s components. Characters, plot, and themes are key players. Explore how characters develop, influence the narrative, and represent broader ideas. Map out the plot’s structure—introduction, rising action, climax, and resolution. Themes, the underlying messages, offer insight into the author’s intent. Pinpointing these elements enriches your analysis.

Effective Text Analysis: Uncovering Hidden Meanings

Go beyond the surface. Effective analysis uncovers hidden layers. Consider symbolism, metaphors, and imagery. Ask questions: What does a symbol represent? How does a metaphor enhance meaning? Why was a particular image chosen? Context is crucial. Connect these literary devices to the broader narrative, revealing the author’s nuanced intentions.

Incorporating Critical Perspectives: Adding Depth to Your Essays

Elevate your analysis by considering various perspectives. Literary criticism opens new doors. Explore historical, cultural, or feminist viewpoints. Delve into how different critics interpret the text. This depth showcases a nuanced understanding, demonstrating your engagement with broader conversations in the literary realm. Incorporating these perspectives enriches your analysis, setting your essay apart.

Secrets to Compelling Essays

Structuring your ideas: creating coherent and flowing essays.

Structure is the roadmap readers follow. Start with a captivating introduction that sets the stage. Each paragraph should have a clear focus, connected by smooth transitions. Use topic sentences to guide readers through your ideas. Aim for coherence—each sentence should logically follow the previous one. This ensures your essay flows seamlessly, making it engaging and easy to follow.

Presenting Compelling Arguments: Backing Up Your Points

Compelling arguments rest on solid evidence. Support your ideas with examples from the text. Quote relevant passages to reinforce your points. Be specific—show how the evidence directly relates to your argument. Avoid generalisations. Strong arguments convince the reader of your perspective, making your essay persuasive and impactful.

The Power of Language: Writing with Clarity and Precision

Clarity is key in essay writing. Choose words carefully to convey your ideas precisely. Avoid unnecessary complexity—simple language is often more effective. Proofread to eliminate ambiguity and ensure clarity. Precision in language enhances the reader’s understanding and allows your ideas to shine. Crafting your essay with care elevates the overall quality, leaving a lasting impression.

Mastering A-level English Literature essays unlocks academic success. Armed with a solid structure, nuanced literary analysis, and compelling arguments, your essays will stand out. Transform your writing from good to exceptional.

For personalised guidance, join Study Mind’s A-Level English Literature tutors . Elevate your understanding and excel in your literary pursuits. Enrich your learning journey today!

How long should my A-level English Literature essay be, and does word count matter?

While word count can vary, aim for quality over quantity. Typically, essays range from 1,200 to 1,500 words. Focus on expressing your ideas coherently rather than meeting a specific word count. Ensure each word contributes meaningfully to your analysis for a concise and impactful essay.

Is it acceptable to include personal opinions in my literature essay?

While it’s essential to express your viewpoint, prioritise textual evidence over personal opinions. Support your arguments with examples from the text to maintain objectivity. Balance your insights with the author’s intent, ensuring a nuanced and well-supported analysis.

Can I use quotes from literary critics in my essay, and how do I integrate them effectively?

Yes, incorporating quotes from critics can add depth. Introduce the critic’s perspective and relate it to your argument. Analyse the quote’s relevance and discuss its impact on your interpretation. This demonstrates a broader engagement with literary conversations.

How do I avoid sounding repetitive in my essay?

Vary your language and sentence structure. Instead of repeating phrases, use synonyms and explore different ways to express the same idea. Ensure each paragraph introduces new insights, contributing to the overall development of your analysis. This keeps your essay engaging and avoids monotony.

Is it necessary to memorise quotes, or can I refer to the text during exams?

While memorising key quotes is beneficial for a closed text exam, you can refer to the text during open text exams. However, it’s crucial to be selective. Memorise quotes that align with common themes and characters, allowing you to recall them quickly and use them effectively in your essay under time constraints.

How can I improve my essay writing under time pressure during exams?

Practise timed writing regularly to enhance your speed and efficiency. Prioritise planning—allocate a few minutes to outline your essay before starting. Focus on concise yet impactful analysis. Develop a systematic approach to time management to ensure each section of your essay receives adequate attention within the given timeframe.

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How to Write the AP Lit Poetry Essay

What’s covered:.

How to Write the AP Literature Poetry Essay
Tips for Writing The AP Lit Poetry Essay

To strengthen your AP Literature Poetry Essay essay, make sure you prepare ahead of time by knowing how the test is structured, and how to prepare. In this post, we’ll cover the structure of the test and show you how you can write a great AP Literature Poetry Essay.

What is the AP Lit Poetry Essay?

The AP Literature exam has two sections. Section I contains 55 multiple choice questions, with 1 hour time allotted. This includes at least two prose fiction passages and two poetry passages.

Section II, on the other hand, is a free response section. Here, students write essays to 3 prompts. These prompts include a literary analysis of a poem, prose fiction, or in a work selected by the student. Because the AP Literature Exam is structured in a specific, predictable manner, it’s helpful to prepare yourself for the types of questions you’ll encounter on test day.

The Poetry Essay counts for one-third of the total essay section score, so it’s important to know how to approach this section. You’ll want to plan for about 40 minutes on this question, which is plenty of time to read and dissect the prompt, read and markup the poem, write a brief outline, and write a concise, well-thought out essay with a compelling analysis.

Tips for Writing the AP Lit Poetry Essay

1. focus on the process.

Writing is a process, and so is literary analysis. Think less about finding the right answer, or uncovering the correct meaning of the poem (there isn’t one, most of the time). Read the prompt over at least twice, asking yourself carefully what you need to look for as you read. Then, read the poem three times. Once, to get an overall sense of the poem. Second, start to get at nuance; circle anything that’s recurring, underline important language and diction , and note important images or metaphors. In your annotations, you want to think about figurative language , and poetic structure and form . Third, pay attention to subtle shifts in the poem: does the form break, is there an interruption of some sort? When analyzing poetry, it’s important to get a sense of the big picture first, and then zoom in on the details.

2. Craft a Compelling Thesis

No matter the prompt, you will always need to respond with a substantive thesis. A meaty thesis contains complexity rather than broad generalizations , and points to specifics in the poem.

By examining the colloquial language in Gwendolyn Brooks’s poem, “We Real Cool”, we can see the tension of choosing to be “cool”. This raises important ideas about education, structure, and routine, and the consequences of living to be “real cool”.

Notice how the thesis provides a roadmap of what is to follow in the essay , and identifies key ideas that the essay will explore. It is specific, and not vague. The thesis provides a bigger picture of the text, while zooming in the colloquial language the speaker uses.

A good thesis points out the why as much as the what . Notice how in the above example, the thesis discusses language in the poem as it connects to a bigger message about the poem. For example, it’s not enough to discuss Emily Dickinson’s enjambment and hyphens. A good thesis will make a compelling argument about why those infamous Dickinson hyphens are so widely questioned and examined. Perhaps a good thesis might suggest that this unique literary device is more about self-examination and the lapse in our own judgement.

3. Use Textual Evidence

To support your thesis, always use textual evidence . When you are creating an outline, choose a handful of lines in the poem that will help illuminate your argument. Make sure each claim in your essay is followed by textual evidence, either in the form of a paraphrase, or direct quote . Then, explain exactly how the textual evidence supports your argument . Using this structure will help keep you on track as you write, so that your argument follows a clear narrative that a reader will be able to follow.

Your essay will need to contain both description of the poem, and analysis . Remember that your job isn’t to describe or paraphrase every aspect of the poem. You also need lots of rich analysis, so be sure to balance your writing by moving from explicit description to deeper analysis.

4. Strong Organization and Grammar

A great essay for the AP Literature Exam will contain an introduction with a thesis (not necessarily always the last sentence of the paragraph), body paragraphs that contain clear topic sentences, and a conclusion . Be sure to spend time thinking about your organization before you write the paper. Once you start writing, you only want to think about content. It’s helpful to write a quick outline before writing your essay.

There’s nothing worse than a strong argument with awkward sentences, grammatical errors and spelling mistakes. Make sure to proofread your work before submitting it. Carefully edit your work, paying attention to any run-on sentences, subject-verb agreement, commas, and spelling. You’d be surprised how many mistakes you’ll catch just by rereading your work.

Common Mistakes on the AP Literature Poetry Essay

It can be helpful to know what not to do when it comes time to prepare for the AP Literature Poetry Essay. Here are some common mistakes students make on the AP Literature Poetry Essay:

1. Thesis is not arguable and is too general

Your thesis should be arguable, and indicate the central ideas you will discuss in your essay. Read the prompt carefully and craft your thesis in light of what the prompt asks you to do. If the prompt mentions specific literary devices, find a way to tie those into your thesis. In your thesis, you want to connect to the meaning of the poem itself and what you feel the poet intended when using those particular literary devices.

2. Using vague, general statements rather than focusing on analysis of the poem

Always stay close to the text when writing the AP Literature Poetry Essay. Remember that your job is not to paraphrase but to analyze. Keep explicit descriptions of the poem concise, and spend the majority of your time writing strong analysis backed up by textual evidence.

3. Not using transitions to connect between paragraphs

Make sure it’s not jarring to the reader when you switch to a new idea in a new paragraph. Use transitions and strong topic sentences to seamlessly blend your ideas together into a cohesive essay that flows well and is easy to follow.

4. Textual evidence is lacking or not fully explained

Always include quotes from the text and reference specifics whenever you can. Introduce your quote briefly, and then explain how the quote connects back to the topic sentence after. Think about why the quotes connect back to the poet’s central ideas.

5. Not writing an outline

Of course, to write a fully developed essay you’ll need to spend a few minutes planning out your essay. Write a quick outline with a thesis, paragraph topics and a list of quotes that support your central ideas before getting started.

To improve your writing, take a look at these essay samples from the College Board, with scoring guidelines and commentary.

How Will AP Scores Affect My College Chances?

While you can self-report AP scores, they don’t really affect your admissions chances . Schools are more interested in how you performed in the actual class, as your grades impact your GPA. To understand how your GPA impacts your college chances, use our free chancing engine . We’ll let you know your personal chance of acceptance at over 1500 schools, plus give you tips for improving your profile.

Essay Structure – Edexcel A Level English Literature

14th June 2017

by Aimee Wright

The first thing you need to consider when writing an English essay is the structure, and how you can make sure it is one that you can remember and will give you a good grade.

Generic Introduction :You will need to know the book , the author , the publication date and the literary period / monarchy era – g. Frankenstein , Mary Shelley, 1818, Romantic period. Then, you will need to state the genre of the book(s) – e.g. Frankenstein is a gothic novel. Lastly, you will need to briefly summarise the theme / character that the question asks of you. Below are some example generic introductions :
(For the Prose exam): Frankenstein by Mary Shelley was published in 1818, during the Romantic Period, and The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood was published in 1985, and is a postmodern text. Both of these texts are science fiction novels, but Frankenstein is a gothic novel, written in the first wave of gothic literature, while The Handmaid’s Tale is a dystopian novel. *The role of gender in the misuse of science* is seen in both texts in the way that the writers have used linguistic techniques and contextual factors, and this is what will be explored in this analysis.
(For Othello ): Othello by William Shakespeare was published in 1604 during the Elizabethan era. The play is considered a tragedy, but many critics have picked up on the use of satire that Shakespeare has used, however it is not used so much that it could be seen as a comedy. In this analysis, it will be explored how Shakespeare has used his linguistic abilities and contextual factors to present the *theme of betrayal*, and subsequently how critics have viewed this.
(For A Streetcar Named Desire ): A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams was published in 1947, making it a modernist play. The play is a tragedy which aligns with the context of events such as World War Two, and the Great Depression, as these are very tragic. In this analysis, the *character of Blanche* will be explored, and it will be considered whether Williams uses linguistic, structural and contextual techniques to impact Blanche’s character.
(For Post 2000 Poetry): Please Hold by Ciaran O’Driscoll is a poem that presents the themes of frustration, manipulation and irritation that the modern day society brings. As a postmodern poem, the twenty-first century challenges that the narrator undertakes align with each other. On first reading Somewhat Unravelled by Jo Shapcott, the reader can perceive that the narrator also represents strong emotions to represent how the narrator is feeling. By comparing these two poems, the analysis will explore how *strong emotions* are used in order to relay a story, such as through linguistic and structural crafting.
(For Keats ): The Eve of St Agnes by John Keats was written in 1819, just two years before Keats’ death, in the Romantic period. The *theme of physical sensations* in this poem are represented through linguistic and structural methods, as well as contextual factors of the time. Physical sensations are not just seen in The Eve of St Agnes , however – Keats has also used this theme in La Belle Dame sans Merci , which was written in 1819 like The Eve of St Agnes . In this analysis, it will be seen whether La Belle Dame sans Merci shares a similar approach to physical sensations, and whether the time period had impact on this.

It is important to mention what you are going to be discussing in the essay. But, you do not need to use specific details in your introduction, otherwise the rest of your essay will seem sort of shallow. So, use phrases such as ‘In this analysis, the linguistic and structural crafting will be explored’, for instance.

If the question is particularly linked to a specific one contextual factor – maybe it is about monarchy or social hierarchy, or war? – you should give a brief overview of that contextual factor. E.g. “The social hierarchy in Shakespearean times was based on the chain of being , which will be discussed in this analysis.”

In comparison essays – so the Prose and Poetry exams – it is important to highlight which text is your primary text . In the Prose exam, your primary text is Frankenstein , because it “comes first” in literary history. In Post 2000 poetry, the primary text is the poem from the anthology , accompanied by the unseen poem . In Keats, the primary text is the poem it gives you , and you “support” your points with another poem. But, it is important not to compare . So, when exploring your point further, you could say “To support this point, this is also seen in *insert other poem name* by using the same techniques.”
In non-comparison essays – the Drama exam – you will need to write the same number of points that you would use for a comparison essay (the average is 2-3), but you may need more substance and expansive analysis. For example, if you wrote two paragraphs for one point in the Prose exam (which includes two texts ) you would still need to write two paragraphs for one point , even though you only have one text .
So the structure of your essays need to be clear , concise and understandable . Especially for comparison essays, you will need to split up your points into more than one paragraph so that the examiner can understand your analysis more clearly.Having said this, in the Prose exam, it is important to note that you must state the points for both texts in the initial paragraph. This is so that the examiner can see where your point is going from the beginning.In the comparison essays in the Poetry exam, the first paragraph of the point should be about the primary text , which will then lead you to explore the secondary text . So, the advice for this would be: do not plan points for both poems – if you want to plan, just think of points for the primary text , and then think about how that same technique or concept is seen in your secondary text .
Quoting / quotations: It is important to follow the succeeding points when considering the quotations that you use –
Think about the context that you are talking about, and how you are putting the quotation in a sentence. Generally, it is better to put a quotation in a sentence like: “This is seen in the declarative sentence , ‘We are two-legged wombs.’ (p.146).” (this is a quote from The Handmaid’s Tale ). But if you are going to use the quotation like this: “The narrator said that ‘We are two legged-wombs’ to present the idea that the Handmaids are irrelevant.” you will need to think about the structure of the sentence. Instead of using the pronoun ‘We’ in the quotation, put ‘they’ in square brackets to show that you have modified the quotation . So, the sentence would look like this: “The narrator said that ‘[they] are two-legged wombs’ to present the idea that the Handmaids are irrelevant.”
Think about the length of the quotation that you are using. If there is a long quotation – perhaps one that includes a stream of consciousness or syndetic listing , or just lengthy description – you may want to use snippets of the quotation to ensure that the examiner does not get bored. So instead of saying: “Walton (who is speaking) is seen to be a man who has power. Shelley presents this by saying, ‘One man’s life or death were but a small price to pay for the acquirement of the knowledge which I sought, for the dominion I should acquire and transmit over the elemental foes of our race.’” (This is a quotation from Frankenstein ). you could use specific words or phrases to portray the same point. For instance, if your point was: “Walton (who is speaking) is seen to be a man who has power. Shelley presents this is seen in his fourth letter with a semantic field of power and knowledge, with words such as ‘acquirement’; ‘knowledge’; ‘dominion’’ and ‘transmit’.”
Terminology : I know that terminology is difficult to use, especially if you can’t think of the name for a technique. But, you are marked on your terminology use as it “proves” that you know what you’re talking about.
Where to use terminology: when structuring your point, you should use terminology either before you mention the quotation – this is if you are making a point that the technique has a direct impact on the theme or character – or after you mention the quotation – this is just to show that you know what technique the author has used.Before the quotation: If you are making the point that the author uses declarative sentences to depict the theme or character, you could say: “Atwood uses declarative sentences to represent how straightforward prejudice is as a theme in society: ‘We are two-legged wombs.’ (p.146).” The idea that prejudice is ‘straightforward’ is your point .After the quotation: So, after the point made above, you could expand by saying: “Atwood uses this declarative sentence to represent that the Handmaids are discriminated against in a simple way, otherwise she may have used another sentence mood, such as exclamatory sentences . In addition, the metaphor of Handmaids being ‘two-legged wombs’ shows Atwood’s linguistic crafting to portray that Handmaids are only seen as women who give birth to children, and nothing else.” The use of further terminology in your essay – in this case ‘exclamatory sentences’ and ‘metaphor’ – will show more knowledge.
Word Specific Analysis: Instead of using terminology for the analysis of a whole quotation , you can use Word Specific Analysis to really unpick the underlying ideas. For instance: “Atwood uses the pronoun ‘We’ to represent that the Handmaids are a collective. This shows that if one Handmaid is victimised or targeted, the whole group of Handmaids are discriminated against. In addition, the use of the noun ‘wombs’ indicates the part of the body that the Handmaids are seen as: they are just seen as being able to conceive a child, and nothing more.”

For instance: “ Bright star! would I were steadfast as thou art by John Keats uses the Petrarchan sonnet form. Petrarch was famous for using themes such as unrequited love, and the sonnet will always use a Volta . The Volta is the beginning of the ninth line of the sonnet and, in Keats’ poetry, is often representative of his own personal change in mood or thought, so the Volta ‘No’ in Bright star! could be Keats changing his mind, or disagreeing, with his previous comments.”

In the Drama exam, it is important to know the names of speech and structure:

For instance: “ Othello by William Shakespeare uses a variety of structures to symbolise the theme of betrayal. For instance, Iago often speaks in prose when his plan is beginning to unravel. Prose, in comparison to the poetic speech that characters usually speaks in, is used to represent the unstoppable thoughts and ideas that a character may have.”

Context: It is explicitly important to use contextual information to back up your ideas.
The Prose Exam:The most important piece of context for this exam is about the science of the time and how it is used in your texts. This is because the section of the exam is ‘Science and Society’. This also means you have to have a substantial knowledge of the society at the time of the novels as well.
Other exams:It is just as important to use author-personal context as well as societal This includes the author’s family, associates, events that happened to them etc.You should use a balance of societal and personal context to show your varied knowledge. In fact, you can often use a piece of context as your point e.g. “Keats wrote in the second generation of the Romantic poets, so he had influence from the work of Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge, for instance. The Romantics have many different conventions, but to represent the theme of physical sensations in The Eve of St Agnes , Keats has employed the Romantic connection to nature.”
Critics and Different Interpretations:The Drama exam is the only exam that you get marked on for critical analysis and using different interpretations, but it does not hurt to use them in each exam.

“In Othello , Shakespeare represents Desdemona as being associated with everyone, or having an impact on each character for a different reason.”

This can be supported by Anna Jameson , a critic of the play. You do not need to remember every detail of her critical evaluation, but you need to remember the general idea or snippets of quotes:

“To support this point, Anna Jameson said that Desdemona is the ‘source of the pathos’ of the play. This links to the idea that she is associated with everyone because she emits the ‘pathos’ and diffuses it to each character, and this is what creates the tragedy in the play.” What is important to mention , however, is that you should back up the critical reading with a quotation from the play, rather than just your “point”:

“This is seen just before Desdemona’s death when she says ‘I never did / Offend you in my life; never loved Cassio’, then Othello says ‘Honest Iago hath tane order for’t.’ This represents Desdemona’s impact on multiple characters through the possessive pronoun ‘you’ and the mention of ‘Cassio’ and ‘Iago’, and the bitter tone of these declarative sentences portrays pathos, therefore showing where Jameson got her idea from.”

To make another point, you could challenge the critic. Another point could be:

“Desdemona is seen as ‘fair’, and innocent, and Shakespeare represents this by repeatedly having Othello call her the epithet ‘gentle Desdemona’.”

Therefore, you could use Jameson’s idea to challenge this point:

“To challenge this point, Anna Jameson said that Desdemona is the ‘source pathos of the play’. If Desdemona is the ‘source pathos’, it can be analysed that she is not truly ‘gentle’, but is actually sorrowful.”

You could disagree with the critic as well, but do not use first person . Say it as though you are disagreeing on behalf of the audience:

I hope that this is all helpful for the exam, the exams start tomorrow so good luck!

Bibliography

Atwood, M. (1985). The Handmaid’s Tale. London: Vintage Random House.

Keats, J. (2007). Selected Poems. London: Penguin Classics.

Poems of the Decade: An Anthology of the Forward Books of Poetry. (2011). London: Forward Ltd.

Shakespeare, W. (1622). Othello. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Shelley, M. (1818). Frankenstein (3 ed.). London: Penguin Group.

Williams, T. (1947). A Streetcar Named Desire. London: Penguin Group.

How To Write A Critical Essay On Poetry

23 April 2019

15 minutes to read

Writing a comparative essay on poetry is not as daunting as you might think.

01. How To Write A Poetry Essay A Level Style
02. Poem Analysis Essay Tips
03. Terms to Use in Poetry Analysis

It is one thing writing a descriptive thesis about a single subject , focusing on the ins and outs of the poem, its structure, its language and its style, but it is quite another to write a college essay in which you compare two or more poems .

Fortunately for you, we are here to explain to you how to outline your comparative discussion and how writing about poetic contrast during an exam is often easier than having to come up with numerous statements and ideas to write about just one single text.

For instance, we don't need to point out the fact that having multiple poems means that there is a higher number of points to discuss in your narrative composition. So, the pure fact that you are comparing two texts means that you can dedicate a whole paragraph, if not more, to simply pointing out the clear differences in the structure and flow of two poems!

Furthermore, if you are being asked to compare and contrast texts, it usually means that there are significant differences or at least an alternative point of view to pick up on. Whether these be in reference to the era during which they were written, the writing style that the poet has chosen to use, or the different angles adopted to emphasize the same theme or message, the chances are that you will find loads of avenues to explore in your descriptive essay .

Finally, by focusing your attention on comparison and contrast, you can develop a much better understanding and a deeper appreciation of each citation .

Check here to find poetry classes London .

Comparing and contrasting two or more poems can help to open your eyes to way more hidden meanings.

For those on their way to completing their A Level exams and in need of some extra help and reassurance when it comes to their literature assessment, here are some tips on how to write an A-Level poetry essay.

How To Write A Poetry Essay A Level Style

Coming up with ideas for your research paper.

By the end of your A Level poetry course , you'll likely be familiar with a range of poets, poems and poetry styles but you may be surprised to know that the final exam often asks you to look at and contrasting two or more unseen poems .

Now, this doesn't necessarily mean that you will be faced with poems that you have never laid eyes on before, by poets you've never even heard of. All it means is that neither you or your teacher will know which revised poems might come up in the assessment . It may well be that a poem you did not study crops up, but by an author who you are quite familiar with.

Not having seen a particular poem before, far from what many people think, is not a disadvantage in a timed exam. In fact, some might say that it works in their favour.

Being faced with a whole new set of words and stanzas to analyse is quite refreshing and if you apply all of the things you have learned over your GCSE and A Level course then you should have absolutely no problem finding leads to follow or points to argue.

Remember that, even if you aren't very informed about the poet or the era during which they lived, you can often decipher hidden messages that might indicate when they were writing and what they were writing in response to . For example, if you find that a poem uses lots of words that are linked to battle, this evidence might be used to prove that the poem was written during the period of a war. Even though you may not know exactly which war, this still gives you something analytical to offer the examiner and a subject to use in your persuasive essay. Even if it is wrong, it may be an important element that the poet was trying to put in there.

In order to get this first impression that you can then report on in your text, be sure to read all of the texts thoroughly before starting to plan and write your essay . Your introductory paragraph, or thesis statement, might include a brief summary of each poem and set out a few observations that you'd like to look at in more detail further into your poetic analysis .

Remember that this will be a timed assessment so you only have so many minutes in which to read, plan, and write your essay. As such, don't give yourself too much to cover and find that you have to rush your conclusion to bring the comparison to an end (or worse, that you end up with an unfinished essay). Pick out a few points that are relevant to the question being asked and focus on expanding on them as much as possible during your critique.

Don't forget, if you want the examiner to see that you've noticed other things in the poems, then you can always refer to them briefly whilst backing up one of your other arguments.

Finally, remember to not only focus on the historical context or themes of the poem but to also demonstrate your understanding of intellectual poetry techniques . So, as well as exploring the ideas, attitude, and tone of the poems, be sure to look out for structure, form, and literary techniques used by the poet .

See some poetry classes here.

Be sure to enhance your analytical skills by demonstrating your knowledge of numerous poetry techniques.

Structuring Your Timed Essay

When it comes to writing a paper, the main thing to remember is that you need to have an introduction, the main body, and a conclusion , just like any other term paper you have written in the past. Yet one thing that may not have crossed your mind as being imperative is to write an equal amount on each of the poems that you are discussing . Ultimately, without dedicating the same amount of time to each text, there is no way you can analyse the poems effectively in the comparative way the examiner wants.

Imagine if you wrote an essay where you discussed one poem for four paragraphs and then referred to the second poem in one single paragraph, the flow of the analysis would be completely off-balance and the examiner would only really be able to mark you on your direct analysis of the one poem that has taken centre-stage.

Ideally, each paragraph of your essay should address one or more specific poetic elements or aspects of the works in question. Furthermore, each paragraph should contain a dissection of both works, rather than expounding on only one poem. You might strive for something along these lines:

Poem XYZ expounds of the narrator's perception of his mother's love, whereas poem ABC describes a mother's unconditional love for her child.

With this opening line, you have pointed at the theme of the poems - parental love. You have also uncovered an important difference between the two: perspective. That opening sentence paints a contrast between the two works which you would explore in depth throughout the paragraph.

Note the use of 'whereas' in this sentence. Used as a conjunction, one of its meanings is, literally, ' while in contrast '. As your assignment is to compare and contrast, using this conjunction is perfectly acceptable.

On the other hand...

The students were eagerly anticipating their marked papers and the teacher did not disappoint. As soon as class started, she handed her students their essays back. One student in particular was dismayed to find that she had scored poorly. Most curiously, her teacher had written, across the top: how many hands do you have?

On the one hand, it is perfectly acceptable to use 'on the other hand' to preface a comparison or contrast. On the other hand, it is not acceptable to use it as the only indication of comparison throughout your entire essay!

In fact, that is what had cost that student points off her grade: every single comparison was introduced with the phrase 'on the other hand' , leading the teacher to wonder how many hands that essay writer intended to employ!

While some forms of repetition are considered literary devices - parallel structure being a case in point, using the same transitional phrase throughout your work will surely cost you in points!

It might help you to study alternate phrases and incorporate a few into your personal lexicon. That way, when one is needed, you have an entire arsenal at your disposal!

If you can, jot down a table or checklist of similarities and differences during your planning phase and then roughly set out the essay paragraph by paragraph to ensure that it looks even. Not only will this be a helpful guide as you start writing, it will also keep you on track. You don't necessarily have to keep the analysis paper in chronological order.

Your table might look something like this:

Once you have developed your ideas in such a brainstorming session, crafting your essay is a piece of cake!

Structuring an essay is actually much easier than people think. What the examiner wants to see is that you can clearly explain a point, justify it and then ask questions about why that is important to the overall text . So, for example, just like the essay as a whole, each point you make should ideally be made up of an introduction, middle section, and a conclusion.

The BBC Bitesize website likens this process with a sandwich, suggesting that the two pieces of bread are the intro and conclusion and the layers of filling are made up of each individual point you make in response to that argument. Others also talk about the technique being like a hamburger.

Remember, a plain beef burger with no sauce or fillings makes for quite a dry hamburger , and it's much the same with your essay.

Poem Analysis Essay Tips

Don't put the examiner off with grammar and punctuation mistakes, check your work!

Check What The Examiner Expects Of You Before you start writing any kind of poetry analysis, you should always be certain of what is expected of you . To find out what the English examiner is looking for in a good thesis, visit your exam board's website and look for the Mark Scheme, Examiner's Notes and any other documents you can find and cross-reference these with the specimen question papers to get a good idea on what you should be doing when your final exam comes around.

Although your English Instructor will no doubt offer you guidance and set useful homework and classroom tasks , don't underestimate the benefit of doing past papers. As such, do as many of the available specimen papers that you can and don't just settle for doing the bare minimum! We don't recommend using an essay writing service for your coursework or as an exemplary revision resource because you simply can't guarantee that they are genuine , professional writers nor can you be certain that work hasn't been plagiarized. Be confident and stick to your own work!

Proofreading Is Key Remember to leave yourself enough time at the end of a timed exam to read through your work, check for any obvious spelling mistakes, and to ensure it is coherent . It can be quite easy to get ahead of yourself when you are faced with a deadline so taking time to check over the wording on your literary essay can actually help you to strengthen your response. Depending on the requirements, you may like to use some of this time adding a bibliography, checking things like capitalization and looking out for repetition.

Practice Putting Poetry Into Your Own Words Putting a poem into your own words not only shows that you understand what the poem is about , it also helps you to gain a better understanding and a deeper appreciation of the message trying to be conveyed by the poet. Some poems, specifically those written centuries ago, are quite hard to read aloud so why not add an informal annotation underneath each line to make the wording a bit easier to decipher as you go back and forth between the poems during the exam?

Remember To Reference Any Quotations. You may have written down some distinctive quotes on your revision cards , or you may simply want to paraphrase what a poet or critic has said from memory, but either way, it is important that you do so properly. Any words that aren't your own should be referenced using quotation marks (if a direct quote) or by making it clear that a particular sentence is an opinion of another individual.

Brush Up On Your Poetry Terms You simply can't expect to rack up those top marks if you don't have the knowledge and expertise to back up your ideas . Showing that you know a wide range of literary terms and poetry techniques will help to impress the examiner. That said, it is just as important to understand what the terms mean as it is to know their names. The examiner won't be fooled if you simply reel off a list of terms, saying that they are included in the poem but without explaining where each one crops up and why.

Starting taking poetry courses online .

Terms to Use in Poetry Analysis

-Rhyme scheme: the pattern of rhyming words - typically, the last word of every poem line.

Rhyme schemes are generally indicated by a combination of letters , AB, CD and so forth. If you wish to describe a scheme in which alternating lines rhyme, you would use ABAB. However, if the first line rhymes with the last and the middle two lines rhyme, the designation ABBA would be correct.

Note: most Shakespeare quatrains are written in the ABAB scheme.

-Meter: which syllables in each line of poetry are stressed.

Poetry, by its very nature and definition, is meant to be rhythmic ; indeed that very rhythm contributes to the tone and meaning of the work itself.

By alternating stress with lack of stress when reading each line, you may arrive at a different tone for that work altogether!

-Iambic Pentameter: the perfect example of meter in poetry!

The name itself, pentameter, indicates that there will be 5 stressed syllables, each one alternating with an unstressed that should sound like so:

tuh-TAH-tuh-TAH-tuh-TAH-tuh-TAH-tuh-TAH

Consider this stanza:

As I was walking down the street one day, / The sun from behind clouds came out to play.

Here, not only do you have five feet - five stressed syllables contrasting with five unstressed, you also have an AA rhyming scheme!

The Bard make great use of the iambic pentameter when writing his sonnets... so do select rock songs!

-Metaphor: a figure of speech employing a known object or situation to represent something figurative.

A writer's job is to paint pictures with words. S/he does so by using words and phrases that create vivid images in the readers' minds.

Naturally, you are not expected to be an author on par with great historical essay writers such as Ralph Waldo Emerson or Lewis Carroll. However, you can and should make use of metaphors in your analysis, where appropriate. For example:

"The tone of poem XYZ sends the reader's heart soaring into a cloudless, springtime sky. However, poem ABC fills those skies with dark clouds, reflecting the author's own gloom."

As you might have guessed, in neither poem does a sky feature. Nevertheless, using the sky as a metaphor for the tone of the poems is apt in more than one way: the sky lies above us just as a poem's tone 'oversees' the words it comprises of.

Examples of well-known metaphors include:

I am boiling mad!
It's clear sailing from now on.
I'll ask my teacher, but it will be an uphill battle to get her to change my marks.
What pearls of wisdom will he dispense today?

Beware not to misuse a metaphor as a simile!

-Simile: a figure of speech that compares two unlike things (situations, objects, etc.)

Many people confuse similes with metaphors because their use and purpose is quite nearly the same. In each case, the writer is creating a visual for the reader to better get a sense of what s/he intended to convey.

Let us look at two examples of describing a madman:

'He was quite mad.' versus 'he was mad as a hatter!'

The first sentence conveys the impression that that poor soul was to be pitied; after all, he couldn't help being mad, could he? However, the second sentence indicates that not only is this man mad but he must be the very spectacle of madness!

Similes are generally recognised by 'like', 'than' or 'as', preceding the comparison. Here are a few examples of similes:

Shopping is more fun than a barrel of monkeys!
Her laughter is like crystal, tinkling in the breeze.
He's as strong as an ox!
This exam is so easy, it's like shooting fish in a barrel.

You might use similes in your poetry analysis to distinguish differences in tone (as different as night and day), theme (as grating as nails on a blackboard), structure (constructed like cookie-cutter houses) or content (it's like comparing apples and oranges).

Similes such as 'comparing apples and oranges' are very common

-Setting: either a literal or figurative place where the action or situation occurs

Although it would seem like a minor consideration to the overall work, setting is critical to poetry (or any other type of writing) because it helps the reader develop a connection to the narrative.

It may used to help identify the characters, create a conflict for the character(s) to resolve or even be an antagonist that the characters must vanquish. It can help set the tone and the mood of the piece; most certainly it would act as a backdrop.

The works' setting may be explicitly described or merely implied. However they are presented, don't neglect to touch upon them in your essay!

In fact, a poem's setting offers a wealth of analysis opportunity.

-Allegory: a literary device, usually in the form of a metaphor, meant to deliver a broader message.

Should you read a story or poem that resonates on a completely different level , meaning you see a parallel between this work of fiction and real-world occurrences, you may have found an allegory!

Beware, however, that this supposed allegory is not a fable .

The difference between those two types of works is slight but profound. A fable is meant to reinforce a truth or precept while an allegory represents abstract principles.

You may be familiar with H.G. Wells' Animal Farm , a classic example of allegory meant to depict the overthrow of the Russian Tsarist system. However, in spite of the fact that this allegory uses animals - as most fables do, it could in no way be considered a fable.

Should you discover, during your exam, that one of your texts is allegorical and the other more of a fable, you may consider contrasting that aspect of those works in your essay.

-Alliteration: when the same letter or sound starts a series of words

If you entertain your friends with your ability to utter tongue twisters to perfection, you may already be familiar with alliteration.

In fact, the above sentence includes an alliteration!

Here is a stylistic element that, in poetry, could be used to emphasise a line or stanza of particular import, or even to stress an important characteristic - either of the narrative itself or of the poem's theme.

Alliteration is fairly common in poetry so, if the works you are comparing each contain alliterations, you might write a paragraph about the differences between them.

-Assonance: repetition of a vowel sound or diphthong

Whereas alliteration repeats consonant sounds; assonance does so with vowels . Assonance is quite common in proverbs; the vowel sounds those words have in common help make those phrases memorable:

The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

The second, third and sixth words all have the same consonant sound , making this sentence a perfect example of assonance.

Beware, though: the words must be noticeably close together ; within the same line or sentence. You can't scan the entire work for similar-sounding vowel combinations and call them assonance!

-Caesura: essentially, a pause

As the old joke goes: "And she talked on, never pausing for breath..."

In fact, we all pause for breath at strategic points in our verbal narrations, but how to find those breaks in poetry? Fortunately, poets make it easy for us through a variety of ways: punctuation, the natural rhythm of the work or by the 'll' symbol .

Caesura are broadly divided into 'male' and 'female' with the latter a softer stop than the former.

Feminine caesura appear after non-stressed or short syllables ; such as a past tense (-ed) or progressive (-ing) ending.
Masculine caesura occurs after long or accented syllables - those that end in a consonant pair(-rd, ck, st...), or plurals.

The use of caesura in poetry can be used to convey tone or mood; thus it makes an excellent instrument for comparing two works!

-Enjambment: no pause at the end of a stanza, line or couplet

In opposition of the caesura comes the enjambment, used to convey heightened emotion or a running thought , although sometimes it is used to trick the reader by presenting a conflicting idea in the very next line:

Among the bracken and thorns / Beautiful red roses bloom.

-Hyperbole: an exaggeration

Does one ever really think of poetry as humorous? It can be and one way that the writer demonstrates that literary tickle is with the use of hyperbole.

Still she, with skirts large as a circus tent, was only on his love intent.

Here, making use of a simile as a hyperbole to bring about a comical image (who could really have such a large skirt?) the writer meant to create a picture of a lovelorn woman pursuing unrequited love.

Naturally, one should not take the hyperbole seriously...

-Satire: a humorous, ironic, exaggerated or ridiculous criticism

Have you ever seen any political cartoons ? If so, you have had exposure to satire. Do you know any limericks? If so, you may be familiar with the use of satire in poetry.

Contrary to the overarching belief that all poetry must be beautiful, wistful and romantic, poetry can also be scathing and scorning.

Might you encounter such works in the course of your exam? If so, be sure to highlight the odes' satirical tones!

-Personification: literally render into a person.

Trees, animals... even emotions and situations can be personified in poetry. This is a way for the author to give the work life, motion... maybe even fluidity!

The peaks rear'd up, in a ring, as a band of patriarchs who would surround a newborn heir...

By turning an ancient mountains into kindly grandfathers who, most likely, watch over the people living in those shadows, the writer has personified the landscape into a benevolent protector.

Take note of any personification in the works you are assigned to analyse; as personification is a tool widely used in poetry , surely you could find points to compare between personifications!

Final thought: while anyone may notice the larger differences between two poems, perhaps, recognising and writing your comparative essay on these finer points listed above might earn you higher marks.

Good luck! Let us know how you get on, will you?

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Laura is a Francophile with a passion for literature and linguistics. She also loves skiing, cooking and painting.

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Leaving Cert English Poetry FAQ

How many quotations should you have in your poetry essay, how many poems should i study for each poet, how many poems should you cover in your lc essay.

Guidance varies on this. Some teachers say 3-4 poems. Our experience suggests that covering 4 in detail and briefly mentioning another 2 works well for students trying for a H1.

leaving cert poetry notes english higher level

Introduction

Writing a comparison essay between two poems can be an interesting task. It requires a student to be creative and think outside of the box. Although poetry comparison might seem overwhelming and daunting, once you understand the basics of comparing two poems, the task suddenly becomes much easier. This article aims to provide students with a comprehensive guide on how to write a poetry comparison essay, offering key tips and providing example essays for inspiration.

What is a Poetry Comparison Essay?

A poetry comparison essay is a type of essay in which the student is asked to compare two different poems of their own choosing, analyzing and critiquing each one. The poems should share some common theme or concept, yet still have many differences that the student should explore and compare. Generally, the student should draw upon their own knowledge and research to make comparisons between both poems.

Key Considerations

When writing a poem comparison essay, there are several key things to consider. Firstly, the student should think about the overarching theme or concept of the both poems, as this will most likely be an aspect they will need to focus on when comparing. Furthermore, the student should think about the structure of the poems, taking into account the layout, the rhyming patterns, and other literary elements such as alliteration and repetition. Additionally, use of language, imagery and symbolism should also be taken into account.

Comparing Language in Poems

When comparing two poems, one of the key aspects that the student should consider is the language used within each one. Generally, they should try to notice any patterns of language and note these down, thinking about how the various elements of language such as metaphors, similes and personification add to the effect of the poem. Additionally, the use of dialogue, structure and sounds can be used to compare the two poems, and how these elements help to convey the theme or emotions.

Analyzing Imagery and Symbolism in Poems

When comparing two poems, students should also be looking closely at the imagery and symbolism that is used within the poems. Imagery refers to any kind of mental image, description or figure of speech that has a referential meaning—namely, it refers to something else in order to help convey the subject. For example, a poem might use imagery of a flower to symbolize growth, or the use of tools to symbolize hard work. Symbolism, on the other hand, is an object or image that stands for something that it doesn’t literally symbolize. It can be used to add an extra layer of meaning to a poem.

Key Comparisons in the Poems

When comparing two poems, it is important to look at their similarities and differences. Generally, the student should look at common themes and imagery, as well as similarities in style and structure. It is also important to note how each poet has used language, imagery and symbols differently to convey their messages and feelings. Additionally, the student should think about how the structure of verbal and nonverbal elements impacts the overall message of the poem.

Example of a Poetry Comparison Essay

When writing a poetry comparison essay, an example can be useful. Taking a look at the following example from a student’s A-Level English Literature essay: In this essay, I shall be comparing and contrasting two poems: “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost and “The Listeners” by Walter de la Mare. Firstly, I shall be exploring the theme of choices in both poems. In “The Road Not Taken”, Frost has created a poem about the power of decision making, whereas “The Listeners” offers a less optimistic view on the consequences of choices. Both poems use vivid imagery to convey their respective messages. For example, “The Road Not Taken” uses the image of two roads to symbolize the difficult choices we make in life, while “The Listeners” uses the image of an empty house to represent the loneliness and confusion of not knowing which direction to take. The use of structure is also important in these two poems. Frost has used rhyming couplets to explore the theme of choices, while de la Mare adopts a more open, free-verse style. Both poets also use a similar range of language throughout their poems, with words such as “forlorn” and “darkness” being used to create a sense of loneliness and uncertainty. Ultimately, both poems explore similar themes in inventive, yet different ways.

Applying the Analysis

When writing a comparison essay between two poems, it is important to consider the key aspects discussed in the article, such as the theme, language, imagery and symbolism of each poem, as well as the structural elements. It is also important to apply the analysis to the essay, noting any relevant similarities or differences as you go. Additionally, the student should support their analysis with relevant evidence, such as quotes and examples, to ensure that the essay flows smoothly and that all aspects are covered.

Writing Style

When writing a comparison essay, it is important to ensure that the writing style is formal and direct. Generally, the student should not use overly complex sentences to ensure that the reader can understand the points that they are trying to make. Additionally, it is important to avoid the passive voice and use the active voice instead. This can help to ensure that the essay is succinct and that all points are clear and concise.

Explore Poems

When writing a poetry comparison essay, it is important for the student to take time to explore the chosen poems. Generally, the student should spend time looking at the different aspects of each poem in order to gain an understanding of the theme and ideas that the poet has tried to convey. Additionally, they can also look at reviews and interpretations of the poems in order to gain further insight into the meaning of both texts.

Bring in Outside Sources

When writing a comparative essay, it can be a good idea to bring in outside sources in order to provide a wider perspective on the chosen poems. Generally, this will involve looking for scholarly articles or reviews that have been written about the particular poems, and using these to provide further insight into the meaning and theme of the text. Additionally, the student should also look for any critical analysis that has been written in order to gain interesting perspectives from other experts in the field.

Organize Your Essay

When organizing the essay, the student should ensure that the essay is well structured and organized. Generally, a good structure for the essay should include an introduction, body paragraphs and a conclusion. Additionally, the body of the essay should be divided up into two sections, one analyzing each poem individually, and one section comparing both poems. This can help to ensure that all relevant points are covered, and that the essay flows smoothly.

Proofreading and Editing

Finally, before submitting the essay, it is important to ensure that the student proofreads and edits the essay thoroughly. Generally, editing should involve re-reading the essay to check for any inconsistencies in the argument, as well as any spelling or grammar errors that may have been overlooked. Additionally, the student should also use a spellchecker and a grammar checker to ensure that the essay is perfect.

In conclusion, writing a poem comparison essay can be an interesting and challenging task for students. By understanding the key considerations discussed in this article and taking note of the example essay, students should be well on their way to writing a successful comparison essay. It is also important to take time to explore the chosen poems, bringing in outside sources to provide a wider perspective. Additionally, the student should ensure that the essay is well organized, and that they proofread and edit it thoroughly before submitting.

Minnie Walters

Minnie Walters is a passionate writer and lover of poetry. She has a deep knowledge and appreciation for the work of famous poets such as William Wordsworth, Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, and many more. She hopes you will also fall in love with poetry!

How to Write an Essay Comparing Poems

This is Revision World’s guide on how to write an essay or answer an exam question that asks you to compare poems within the poetry anthology you are studying.

Understanding the Task:

Identify the Key Components: Ensure you understand the task requirements, including the poems you're comparing, the themes, and the aspects you need to analyse (e.g., structure, language, tone).

Pre-Writing Stage:

Read and Annotate: Read the poems multiple times, annotating key themes, literary devices, and interesting observations.

Identify Similarities and Differences: Note down similarities and differences in themes, imagery, language, structure, and tone between the two poems.

Structuring Your Essay:

Introduction:

Introduce the poems and poets, providing context if necessary.

Present your thesis statement, outlining the main points of comparison.

Body Paragraphs:

Topic Sentences: Start each paragraph with a clear topic sentence that states the aspect of comparison.

Comparison: Analyse each poem separately, focusing on the chosen aspect (e.g., theme, structure). Then, compare and contrast the same aspect in both poems.

Use of Evidence: Provide evidence from the poems to support your analysis (quotations).

Analysis: Interpret the significance of the similarities and differences, considering their effects on the reader and the overall meaning of the poems.

Conclusion:

Summarise your main points of comparison.

Reflect on the significance of the comparisons and their implications for the reader.

Offer insights into the broader themes or messages conveyed by the poems.

Writing Tips:

Be Specific: Avoid vague statements and ensure your comparisons are specific and well-supported by evidence.

Consider Poetic Devices: Analyse the poets' use of poetic devices (e.g., imagery, symbolism, metaphor) and how they contribute to the overall effect of the poems.

Focus on Key Themes: Choose a few key themes or aspects to compare rather than attempting to cover everything in the poems.

Maintain Coherence: Ensure your essay flows logically, with clear transitions between paragraphs and ideas.

Proofread: Carefully proofread your essay for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.

Example Statement:

"In 'Poem A' and 'Poem B,' both poets utilise imagery and symbolism to explore the theme of loss, but while 'Poem A' uses natural imagery to convey a sense of grief and acceptance, 'Poem B' employs religious symbolism to depict a more existential struggle with loss and faith."

Example Topic Sentences:

"In 'Poem A,' the poet employs vivid natural imagery to convey the speaker's emotional response to loss."

"Conversely, 'Poem B' utilises religious symbolism to explore the theme of loss in a more abstract and existential manner."

By following these steps and incorporating these tips, you can effectively write a well-structured and insightful essay comparing two poems in your GCSE English Literature exam.

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How to Write a Poetry Essay (Complete Guide)
Main Paragraphs. Now, we come to the main body of the essay, the quality of which will ultimately determine the strength of our essay. This section should comprise of 4-5 paragraphs, and each of these should analyze an aspect of the poem and then link the effect that aspect creates to the poem's themes or message.
How to Write a Level 5 Poetry Essay (A-level English lit)
Introduction: The introduction should, of course, briefly lay out what your general argument will be during the essay without any language analysis or developed points. One thing my teachers have emphatically told us not to do is state the obvious, e.g. "The poet uses many linguistic techniques.".
How to Write a Poetry Essay: Step-By-Step-Guide
The central section of a literary analysis essay is going to contain all the studies you've carried out. A good idea would be to divide the body into three or four paragraphs, each presenting a new idea. When writing an outline for your essay, determine that in the body part, you will describe: The central idea.
Why I love…An A Level Unseen Poetry Essay Structure
With this in mind we talked about timing: Exam total - 2 hours. Unseen Prose - (50 marks) 1 hour 15 minutes. Unseen Poetry - (30 marks) 45 minutes. For the Poetry this then divides into - 10 minutes reading and planning a response (focusing on what the poem means) - 30 minutes writing - 5 minutes editing. Advertisement.
Writing a Great Poetry Essay (Steps & Examples)
Crafting a strong introduction for your poetry essay requires some certain steps. Begin with an attention-grabbing hook sentence that piques the reader's interest. Provide the necessary information about the poem and its author. Mention the poet's name and title of the poem.
A Level English Literature Poetry Essay Example
11. Maintaining Objectivity and Balance. 12. Quoting and Referencing. Writing a poetry essay for English Literature A Level assignments is a complex task that requires a unique set of strategies. Essentially the essay comes down to analysing language, structure and imagery of the poem and then exploring the various readings that can be drawn.
How To Structure A Poetry Essay
Identifying the Primary Subject of the Poem. The first step in structuring a poetry essay is to identify the primary subject of the poem. In order to do this, you must first read the poem and understand the overall meaning. Themes, symbols and images are all elements that should be considered when reading a poem.
How to Write an A-Level English Literature Essay
Crafting your essay with care elevates the overall quality, leaving a lasting impression. Conclusion. Mastering A-level English Literature essays unlocks academic success. Armed with a solid structure, nuanced literary analysis, and compelling arguments, your essays will stand out. Transform your writing from good to exceptional.
How to Plan and Structure a Poetry Essay
Poetry essays are difficult at the best of times. Often it's all about getting going, and then coming up with a plan. Mr E has the perfect plan for you - it ...
How to Write the AP Lit Poetry Essay
The AP Literature exam has two sections. Section I contains 55 multiple choice questions, with 1 hour time allotted. This includes at least two prose fiction passages and two poetry passages. Section II, on the other hand, is a free response section. Here, students write essays to 3 prompts.
Essay Structure
The first thing you need to consider when writing an English essay is the structure, and how you can make sure it is one that you can remember and will give you a good grade. Generic Introduction :You will need to know the book, the author, the publication date and the literary period / monarchy era -. g.
How To Structure A Poetry Comparison Essay
2. Explain the first poem. 3. Explain the second poem. 4. Discussion of the differences and similarities between the two poems. 5. Conclusion. Moreover, it's important to clearly point out how the comparison of the two poems relates back to the thesis statement.
How To Write A Poetry Essay
Blog Arts and Hobbies Poetry How To Write A Poetry Essay. It is one thing writing a descriptive thesis about a single subject, focusing on the ins and outs of the poem, its structure, its language and its style, but it is quite another to write a college essay in which you compare two or more poems. Fortunately for you, we are here to explain ...
Poetry Essay
Here is an exemplar poetry essay, at GCSE standard, which compares two poems and almost attained almost full marks. This student-style poetry essay should take approximately 40 minutes to complete in exam conditions. This response may help anyone who is struggling to structure a poetry essay, which compares two poems.
How do I structure an A Level essay?
Every bullet point therefore would make up a paragraph in my essay. The point is, that you should come up with a quick, concise and easy-to-follow way of planning your essays, and stick to that method every time. If you do this, the structure should just fall into place. Lastly, a few pointers on conclusions.
Comparing Poetry (Part 1)
https://goo.gl/qD2VMg to access super concise & engaging A-level videos by A* students for the AQA, OCR and Edexcel Specs.
How should I structure an essay in the comparative poetry ...
The comparative poetry aspect of the A level English Literature Edexcel exam can be quite tricky and in fact, if we look at the grade boundaries by unit we can see that the poetry paper has the lowest grade boundary of the whole spec. (41/60 for the A *).All to say, don't worry about finding this hard!The main thing to remember here is that you're trying to look for common ground between the ...
Leaving Cert English Poetry FAQ
1. Subject matter, aka themes, simply what the poetry is about. 2. Imagery, or language, style, symbols, metaphors, poetic techniques, or simply how the poem is written. And when you've practiced past papers, used our notes and finally become an absolute ninja, you will get good at explaining how the imagery (1) enhances the delivery of the ...
Comparing poems
Early Level; 1st Level; 2nd Level; ... Either of the examples above could produce a good essay as they both explore each poem and compare their similarities and differences. However in structure B ...
A Level Poetry Comparison Essay Example
When writing a poetry comparison essay, an example can be useful. Taking a look at the following example from a student's A-Level English Literature essay: In this essay, I shall be comparing and contrasting two poems: "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost and "The Listeners" by Walter de la Mare. Firstly, I shall be exploring the ...
Structuring the Essay
2. Identify the key words of the question. The key words are the focus of the question: the specific themes or ideas the examiners want you to focus on. For the above question, the key words of the question are "ideas about power and control". This is the theme the examiners want you to explore in your essay.
Essay plan
In an essay response for poetry, your plan is likely to contain the elements you see in this table: Brief outline of what you intend to include. Overview of the poem (s) which are specific to the ...
How to Write an Essay Comparing Poems
Topic Sentences: Start each paragraph with a clear topic sentence that states the aspect of comparison. Comparison: Analyse each poem separately, focusing on the chosen aspect (e.g., theme, structure). Then, compare and contrast the same aspect in both poems. Use of Evidence: Provide evidence from the poems to support your analysis (quotations).

How to Write a Poetry Essay: Step-By-Step-Guide

What Is A Poetry Analysis?

How to Choose a Poem for Analysis?

Poem Analysis Essay Outline

Introduction

Tips on How to Analyze a Poem

Title of the Poem

Poetry Background

Structure of the Poem

Tone and Intonation of the Poetry

Language Forms and Symbols of the Poetry

Poetic devices

Music of the Poem

Purpose of Poem

Poetry Analysis Template

Example of Poem Analysis

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Why I love…An A Level Unseen Poetry Essay Structure

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How to write a poetry essay

Choose a poem

Poem example for poetry essay

Understand the poem

Write a catchy introduction

Poetry essay introduction example

Thesis statement for poetry essays

Why is the thesis important for a poetry essay?

Poetry essasy thesis statement example

Analyze language and imagery

Language and imagery analysis example

Discuss themes in body paragraphs

Poetry essay body paragraphs example

Provide evidence from the poem

Providing evidence example

Write a conclusion

Poetry essay conclusion example

Proofread and revise your essay

Frequently Asked Questions

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How to Write the AP Lit Poetry Essay

What is the AP Lit Poetry Essay?

Tips for Writing the AP Lit Poetry Essay

2. Craft a Compelling Thesis

3. Use Textual Evidence

4. Strong Organization and Grammar

Common Mistakes on the AP Literature Poetry Essay

1. Thesis is not arguable and is too general

2. Using vague, general statements rather than focusing on analysis of the poem

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