Poem Anthology - Part B Essay

Question 1

what structure is used to write a part B essay?

Answer 1

FILM structure

Question 2

what should you include in a plan?

Answer 2

• 4-5 topic sentences
• film structure
• context which can be used

Question 3

how do you write an introduction?

Answer 3

• make sure you address the question
• avoid writing what the poems are about - link them to the question
  INCLUDE:
• dates
• poets’ names
• type of poem
• perspective
• background of the poem

Question 4

how to use FILM

Answer 4

• introduction of both poems
• form and structure of both poems - how does this reinforce the themes of the poems? use terms such as ‘structually’
• imagery in both poems
• language choices in both poems
• the mood and tone in both poems - how do they make you feel
• finally - what are the poets’ intentions and messages

Question 5

what is FORM?

Answer 5

what type of poem is it?
- sonnet, monologue, retrospective reflection, ode, epic poem?
- consider the perspective - male or female?

Question 6

what is STRUCTURE?

Answer 6

• how many stanzas - is this significant?
• comment on the shape
• long or short lines
• is there a rhyme scheme?
• is it written in free verse? why?
• does the poem have a strong rhythm? why is this?

Question 7

what should you not do when writing topic sentences?

Answer 7

• make sure you do NOT lead with techniques

good example:
Hughes and Heaney both address the violence of the natural world through their depiction of unsettling animal behaviour, reminding the reader of the poet’s similar rural childhood upbringings.

Question 8

key connectives to use to compare poems with

Answer 8

• similarly
• in comparison
• in contrast
• comparatively
• alternatively
• however

Question 9

how do we write about IMAGERY?

Answer 9

• look for images in the poems which compare or contrast effectively
• these may be metaphors or similes, or lines which conjure a strong picture in your mind

Question 10

how to write about LANGUAGE?

Answer 10

• do not lead by techniques - take care to make a strong thematic point (linked to the title) and then explore language in detail

consider:
- semantic fields
- verbs, nouns, adjectives, adverbs, superlatives
- interesting literary techniques - repitition (anaphora), rhetorical questions, personal pronouns
- don’t forget to comment on interesting punctuation - e.g. the end stop on the final line of ‘A Wife in London’ brutally suggests the end of their relationship

Question 11

how to write a conclusion

Answer 11

start with: Fundamentally, the poets contemplate the idea of…
- what are the poets suggesting through their poetry? can you link these ideas to the context of the poet? which ideas are the most important lines from each poem to convey these ideas?

e.g. Essentially, Hardy illuminates the cruelty of life in his poem, which is typical of his bleak literature as a Victorian writer; he focuses on human hardship and suffering

• it is a really good idea to make a personal comment
• this will imply that you have connected with the poem and will make the essay feel evaluative

e.g. Personally, the poem makes me appreciate the brevity of childhood and the freedom that we take for granted when we are young