Tips when answering an unseen poem:

Reading and viewing

The unseen poem is compulsory in a test or exam. Read the
guidelines carefully before you attempt to engage with the
poem that we are going to look at in this lesson.
How to approach an unseen poem:
• Read the title of the poem for clues as to the poem’s
subject matter and reflect back on the title after reading
the poem.
• Read the poem at least twice to ensure you understand
ideas thoroughly.
• Take note of what is happening in each stanza.
• Take note of words and phrases that are repeated
throughout the poem. This may give you the central
theme or message of the poem.
• Think about the tone and mood of the poem. Do the
poet’s words (diction) and images have positive or
negative connotations?
• What message is the poet trying to convey?
• Take note of the type of poem.
• Study all your poetry notes. Know your figures of speech and sound devices.

TONE, MOOD, DICTION, CONNOTATION, DENOTATION

TONE and MOOD refer to HOW a writer uses language

to get a response from the reader; and HOW a reader
feels after reading the text.

TONE refers to the language used by a speaker

or writer to instigate an emotional effect on the
listener or reader.

MOOD refers to the atmosphere that is created

for san audience through the tone of a text.
DICTION refers to the specific words chosen by
the writer to express his feelings and influence
the reader to feel a certain way. This language
has the power to put the reader in a certain
mood.

DENOTATION refers to what a word means in its

literal sense.(the dictionary definition)

CONNOTATION refers to the emotional meaning

that we associate with a word.