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Diction, Imagery, Detail, and Syntax (DIDS) in

Poetry—Worksheet
Instructions: Analyze the text you selected and fill out the following worksheet in detail. Provide
specific examples from the text that support your analysis.

1. Write the title of the text you have analyzed here:

“When I was Fair and Young”

2. List at least three examples of diction in the text that add to the overall tone. Explain how
each word contributes to the emotional power of the piece.
Scorn- this word implies more than rejection, but a lasting impact on the person being
rejected. It exemplifies how sought-after she was.
Fair- the use of fair to describe both herself and the man she fell in love with implies a
connection between the two of them, making their love even more powerful.
Repent- this word implies a serious change of heart, and a remorse for previous actions.
She did not simply change, but changed whole-heartedly

3. List at least three examples of imagery in the text that add to the overall tone. Explain how
each description contributes to the emotional power of the piece.
“How many weeping eyes”- The question here illustrates the large number of suitors she
rejected, with the number not even being counted.
“Fair Venus’ son”- The description of her lover as “fair” bestows upon him an almost
feminine beauty because she describes herself as fair as well. This imagery is one of a
softer, gentler man, which in turn implies a soft, gentle love, which is beautiful.
“Neither night nor day could I take any rest”- The imagery of restlessness over one’s love
is a relatable feeling, which lends pathos to the piece.

4. List the examples of important details the author chose to include. Explain how these
details contribute to the emotional power of the piece.
The author chose to include her age, suggesting that when she finally did fall in love, it was
synonymous to maturing as a person, choosing to no longer be so “coy”. She also chose to
include the detail of not being able to get rest, day or night. This is pathos, a pull at the
heartstrings of those who know what it’s like to have a special someone constantly on their
mind.

5. List the examples of important details the author chose to omit. Explain how these missing
details contribute to the emotional power of the piece.
 The author chose first to emit just how many men asked her to be their mistress that she
turned down. This omission allows readers to imagine a large number, much more believable
than if she had said “32: or something like that. The other detail emitted is the looks of
Venus’ son other than just “fair”. This emphasizes the idea that it was his personality rather
than his looks that she fell in love with.

6. Analyze the author’s use of syntax in this text. Are the sentences long or short? Does the
author use punctuation to slow down the pace, or short phrases to quicken it? Explain how
the sentence structure contributes to the emotional power of the piece.
For the most part, the sentences used are long, with many enjambments created due to this.
Each sentence lasts about 4 lines, or a quatrain. Furthermore, each sentence is its own idea
or thought. Each sentence is unique in its part of the story telling, allowing the story to
advance and change and flow smoothly.

7. Select a tone (or multiple tones) from the list of Tone Words. Explain why this tone is the
best way to describe this text.

The tone word I would use to describe this piece would be nostalgic. The author is thinking
back on this time with happiness and humor. Laughing at her attitude at first, and fondly
remembering what first made her fall in love.

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