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How To Write About A Poem

The document provides a structured guide on how to write an essay about a poem, emphasizing the importance of personal interpretation and analysis. It outlines key components to include in each paragraph, such as the poem's title, imagery, form, rhyme, language patterns, and themes. The guide also stresses the need for supporting arguments with quotations from the poem and encourages a thorough review of the final essay.

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Ken K
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39 views2 pages

How To Write About A Poem

The document provides a structured guide on how to write an essay about a poem, emphasizing the importance of personal interpretation and analysis. It outlines key components to include in each paragraph, such as the poem's title, imagery, form, rhyme, language patterns, and themes. The guide also stresses the need for supporting arguments with quotations from the poem and encourages a thorough review of the final essay.

Uploaded by

Ken K
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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How to write about a poem

Start by reading the poem again and thinking what it means to you. If you cannot
understand it completely, don’t worry! Often by the time you have explored it
with the help of this check list the meaning will have become much clearer by the
end.

• Each of these points will make a paragraph about the poem.


• Do not use headings for each paragraph when you write an essay. Each
paragraph should flow into the next paragraph
• Prove every point you make by using a quotation from the poem.

Your introduction Paragraph 1

• Start your essay by giving the title of the poem and the name of the poet.
• Try to classify the poem. What sort of poem is it? (eg. sonnet, limerick,
haiku, ode, acrostic, ballad, dramatic monologue, shape etc.)
• Briefly write about the subject of the poem.

Imagery used in the poem to express the themes Paragraph 2

• What are the pictures in the poem?


• Are metaphors, similes or personification used to explain ideas?
• Are there parts of the poem that ask you to use your senses of hearing,
sight, smell, touch or taste? Do these add to your enjoyment of the poem?

Form and structure Paragraph 3

• How is the poem arranged on the page? (eg. lines, verses, layout, shape.)
• Where are there breaks in the poem?
• Look at the length of the lines - do they make a pattern? Are some lines
short?
• Is there a progression between one verse and the next?
• Why do you think that the poet has used this structure?

© 2003 www.teachit.co.uk poet961 1


How to write about a poem
Rhyme and rhythm Paragraph 3 continued

• Does the poem rhyme? What is the rhyming pattern? (eg. ABAB or ABCB
etc)
• Write about the rhythm of the poem. Which words have a strong beat?
• Why do you think the poet has chosen this rhyme and rhythm to express
his ideas?

Language patterns Paragraph 4

• Does the choice of words the poet has chosen help us share the poet’s
feelings?
• The poet uses certain words to trigger how we think about the poem.
Which words are the “triggers” in this poem?
• Think about the sound of the poem. Look out for alliteration,
onomatopoeia, and assonance. Check for the use of personification and
symbolism and judge their effectiveness.

Explore and explain the themes of the poem Paragraph 5

• Think about the themes (the ideas) the poet explores in the poem. What
do you think the poem is really about?
• Write what you think is the message the poet is trying to make you share
with him.
• Does the poem “work” for you? (Can you sympathise with the poet’s view?)
• Finish by giving your thoughts and feelings about the poem.

Now check your work.

• Read it out loud and make sure that what your have written makes sense.
• Have you used quotes from the poem to back up your ideas? Don’t use the
same words as appear in the quotations – try to vary vocabulary and
interpret the poet’s words.
• Have you used quotation marks where they are needed?

Finish by writing down how long it took to complete this piece of work.
Write down how many words you have written.

© 2003 www.teachit.co.uk poet961 2

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