Writing about form
You should try to understand the forms of the poems (the way they are constructed). Look at the number and the length of the lines and stanzas - are they regular? Irregular? Do the lines have a similar length, or do they look random? Are there any very short, direct, lines?
Language and sound
There are certain features of language that you should look out for in poetry and write about in your exam. Try to find examples of them in the text and think about what effect they have. Why do the poets use that particular feature? What are they trying to convey?
* The choice of adjectives (describing words). They might be simple or complex.
* Any images or symbols that convey particular ideas.
* The use of any techniques such as simile, metaphor or onomatopoeia.
Sound
Some people find writing about sound difficult because you need to read the poem aloud to hear what it sounds like. Try to answer the following questions when you are considering the sounds in poetry:
* Does the poet use rhyme or echoing sounds to reinforce the meaning?
* Does the poet use repetition to emphasise certain words?
* Does the poet use a definite rhythm throughout the poem, or in part of the poem, which reinforces the meaning?
Useful words to use in your exam
To describe what a poet’s intentions are:
Portrays
Depicts
Illustrates
Exposes
Presents
Paints a picture of
Represents
Demonstrates
Embodies - (v) Represent or express in tangible form
To give an example or quotation:
For example
For instance
In particular
Particularly - Specifically or especially distinguished from others
Specifically
To illustrate my point
To demonstrate this idea
For use instead of ‘connotation’ or ‘connotes’:
Implies
Suggests
Evokes
Conjures up
Invokes in the reader
Instils in the reader
To add more information:
Besides - Making an additional point; anyway
Furthermore
In addition
Moreover
Likewise
Indeed – In truth
In fact
Also
As well
Foremost - Ranking above all others (“Foremost in Shakespeare’s mind is the reality of love”).
Firstly, Secondly, Thirdly, Finally
To compare or contrast:
Whereas
In comparison
In contrast
However
Although
On the other hand
Likewise
Similarly
But
Yet
Nevertheless
Nonetheless
Even so
All the same
To conclude:
For the aforementioned reasons
For the aforementioned reasons, there is no doubt that
Given these facts
In conclusion
In closing
To conclude
Some extra help!
Words for ‘good’ (because the examiner really doesn’t want to hear that!)
Magnificent
Fantastic
Wonderful
Extraordinary
Superb
Great
Excellent
Spectacular
Brilliant
Glorious - Bringing great happiness and thankfulness
Notable - Worthy of notice
Impressive
Splendid
Resplendent - Having great beauty and splendour, richly and brilliantly colourful
Formidable - Extremely impressive in strength or excellence
Prowess
Terrific
Tremendous
Wondrous - Extraordinarily good
Wonderful
Sublime - Inspiring awe, lifted up or set high
Outshine - Attract more attention and praise than others
Paramount - Having superior power and influence
Predominant
Words for to add intensity
Incredibly
Exceedingly
Extremely
Extraordinarily
Truly
Really
Very
Utterly - Completely and without equal
Absolutely
Perfectly
Dramatically
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