unseen poetry revision

What is 'unseen poetry'?

Unseen poetry is a poem you read for the first time in an exam or assessment, without any prior knowledge or guidance. You have to analyze it using your own skills.

What is the main goal when analyzing unseen poetry?

The main goal is to show your understanding of the poem's meaning, how the poet uses language and structure to create effects, and your personal response to it.

What are some key things to look for in an unseen poem?

When analyzing unseen poetry, look for:

1. Subject/Theme: What is the poem about?

2. Speaker/Voice: Who is speaking in the poem?

3. Structure: How is it organized? (e.g., stanzas, rhyme scheme, rhythm)

4. Language: Which poetic devices are used? (e.g., imagery, metaphor, simile, personification)

5. Tone/Mood: What is the overall feeling or attitude of the poem?

6. Impact: What message is the poet trying to convey, and what effect does it have on yo

How can I approach analyzing an unseen poem step-by-step?

1. First Read: Read the poem aloud (if possible) to get a general sense of its meaning and flow.
2. Second Read: Read it again carefully, highlighting or annotating anything interesting or confusing.
3. Explore Key Elements: Think about the subject, main message, language devices, structure, and tone.
4. Formulate a Thesis: Decide on your main interpretation or argument about the poem.
5. PEE/PEEL Paragraphs: Write your analysis using Point, Evidence, Explanation (and Link to effect/reader).
6. Conclude: Summarize your main points and offer a final thought on the poem's overall impact or meaning.

What are some common poetic devices to identify?

Some common poetic devices include:

• Simile: Comparing two unlike things using 'like' or 'as' (e.g., run \, like \, the \, wind)
• Metaphor: Directly stating one thing is another (e.g., the \, moon \, was \, a \, ghostly \, galleon)
• Personification: Giving human qualities to inanimate objects or animals (e.g., the \, wind \, whispered \, secrets)
• Imagery: Language that appeals to the five senses (e.g., the \, crisp, \, red \, apple)
• Alliteration: Repetition of initial consonant sounds (e.g., silent \, snakes \, slither \, slowly)
• Assonance: Repetition of vowel sounds within words (e.g., the \, rain \, in \, Spain)
• Onomatopoeia: Words that imitate sounds (e.g., buzz, \, crash, \, sizzle)