A METHODICAL APPROACH TO LEARNING YOUR POETRY

TITLE OF POEM

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Relevant events/background that
may affect the poem

GLOSSARY
Meanings of all the difficult words
in the poem, contextual meaning
but not the dictionary meaning
SUMMARY OF THE POEM IN
YOUR OWN WORDS
(MAIN MESSAGE)

SETTING/ATMOSPHERE
What is the setting, time period,
atmosphere created by the setting
etc., why this is important

THEMES
Love, hate, loss, etc

MOOD/TONE/SPEAKER/
PERSONA
Who is narrating, speaking? Is it a
man or woman? Race? Do they
have a particular attitude (mood)?
Words, phrases, images which
define the tone of the poem
TECHNIQUES - STRUCTURE
How is the poem organized?
How is it divided up?
Are there stanzas? What does
each section discuss?
 A METHODICAL APPROACH TO LEARNING YOUR POETRY

TECHNIQUES -
SOUND & RHYTHM
Scan for rhyme, meter
Alliteration, assonance,
onomatopoeia?

TECHNIQUES - LANGUAGE &

IMAGERY
Symbols, metaphors, similes,
analogies
What is their purpose? Underline a
theme? Reveal the persona?
Contribute to the atmosphere?
PRACTICE QUESTIONS How does the poet vividly convey...............

Think of possible questions the Explore how the poet……………..

IGCSE may have for this poem
and outline responses What impressions…………..

ANALYSIS OR CRITICAL
APPRECIATION OF THE POEM

A response in your own words on

the poem - an analysis or critique
as practice for an essay question
on this poem

FURTHER NOTES