2025 Secondary 2 WA3 – Poetry Analysis Briefing

Vocabulary flashcards that capture key assessment details, question-unpacking steps and literary terms from the WA3 poetry briefing.

Seen Poetry

A poem already studied in class that will be printed in the question paper for the assessment.

WA3 Duration

40-minute in-class assessment held during lesson time.

Assessment Window

Scheduled for Term 3, Week 6 or 7 (exact date given by subject teachers).

Total Marks

25 marks are allocated to the entire question.

One-Part Question

The paper contains a single poetry analysis question rather than multiple sections.

PEAEAL Paragraph

A structured analytical paragraph (Point-Evidence-Analysis-Explanation-Analysis-Link); at least two are required in the answer.

Non-Overlapping Points

Each PEAEAL paragraph must focus on a different idea so that arguments do not repeat.

Question Stem (G3)

“How does the poet use words and images to tell you about [character/idea/setting] in the poem?”

Question Stem (G2)

“What are your impressions of [character/idea/setting] in the poem?”

Underline Key Words

First step in unpacking a question—mark the words that guide your response.

Brainstorming

Rereading the poem to gather possible points before choosing the strongest ones.

Topic Sentence (G3)

Format: “The poet uses to tell me that .”

Topic Sentence (G2)

Format: “The [character/idea/setting] is .”

Literary Device

A tool such as imagery, diction, simile, metaphor or line breaks that poets use to convey meaning or effect.

Imagery

Descriptive language appealing to the senses; specify type (visual, sound, tactile, etc.) and its effect.

Visual Imagery

Language that helps readers picture what is seen in the poem.

Sound Imagery

Words or phrases that evoke auditory sensations for the reader.

Tactile Imagery

Descriptions that make the reader feel physical sensations such as texture or temperature.

Diction

The poet’s choice of words and their connotations, analysed for significance.

Simile

A comparison using 'like' or 'as' to highlight similarities between two things.

Metaphor

A direct comparison that says one thing is another to deepen meaning.

Line Breaks

The deliberate end of a poetic line; analysed for rhythm, emphasis or meaning.

Elaboration

The part of the paragraph where the quote is explained to show how it supports the point.

Quote Selection

Choosing a relevant line from the poem to serve as evidence in analysis.