Welcome to Unseen Poetry!
Don't let the word "unseen" scare you. All it means is that you are going to read a poem you haven't studied in class before. Think of it like meeting a new person for the first time. You don't know their whole life story yet, but by looking at their clothes, listening to their voice, and watching their body language, you can start to figure out who they are. Unseen poetry is exactly the same—you are just using your "detective skills" to figure out what the poem is saying!
1. What Are You Being Marked On?
According to the AQA syllabus, you need to show three main skills:
1. Literal and Inferential Comprehension: This means understanding what is happening on the surface (literal) and what the deeper meaning is (inferential).
2. Critical Reading: This is where you identify the theme (the big idea) and find evidence (quotes) to support your points.
3. Evaluation: This is where you look at the "tools" the writer used, like vocabulary, structure, and language features, and explain why they used them.
Quick Review: Literal vs. Inferential
- Literal: The poem says "The sky is black." (It is nighttime).
- Inferential: The poem says "The sky is black," but the character is crying. (The black sky might represent sadness or hopelessness).
2. The "MITSL" Strategy: Your Secret Weapon
When you first look at an unseen poem, it can feel like a jumble of words. Don't worry if it seems tricky at first! Use the MITSL mnemonic to break it down step-by-step:
M is for Meaning: What is the poem actually about? Who is speaking? Is there a story being told?
I is for Imagery: Does the poet use similes, metaphors, or personification to create a picture in your mind?
T is for Tone: What is the "vibe" of the poem? Is it angry, happy, peaceful, or spooky?
S is for Structure: How is the poem built? Are the lines long or short? Are there many stanzas (poetry paragraphs), or just one big block of text?
L is for Language: What specific words (verbs, adjectives) catch your eye? Why did the poet choose "shrieked" instead of "cried"?
Key Takeaway:
Don't try to understand everything in the first ten seconds. Read the poem at least twice before you start writing!
3. Analyzing Language and Structure
The syllabus asks you to evaluate the writer's choice of vocabulary and structural features.
Language (The "What")
Think of language like the ingredients in a meal. The poet chooses specific words to make you feel a certain way.
- Verbs: Action words. "The wind pummelled the house" sounds much more violent than "The wind blew against the house."
- Adjectives: Describing words. "The skeleton trees" makes the woods sound dead or scary.
Structure (The "How")
Structure is like the skeleton of the poem.
- Enjambment: This is when a sentence runs over from one line to the next without a comma or full stop. It can make a poem feel fast, breathless, or chaotic.
- Caesura: A fancy word for a big pause (like a full stop or dash) in the middle of a line. It makes the reader stop and think.
Did you know?
Poets often use the shape of the poem to reflect the topic. A poem about a chaotic storm might have messy, uneven lines, while a poem about a boring job might look very square and repetitive!
4. How to Compare Two Poems
In the second part of the Unseen Poetry section, you will be asked to compare the first poem with a second one. The syllabus says you must look at similarities and differences in theme, characterisation, and style.
Step 1: Find the Link. Usually, both poems will be about the same thing (e.g., both are about "Nature" or "Family").
Step 2: Use Comparative Connectives. Use words like "Similarly," "In contrast," or "On the other hand."
Step 3: Compare the Effect. Don't just say "Poem A has a simile and Poem B doesn't." Instead, say "Poem A uses a simile to make the sea seem friendly, whereas Poem B uses personification to make the sea seem like a monster."
Common Mistake to Avoid:
Don't just write two separate essays! You must jump back and forth between the two poems to show how they are different or alike.
5. Writing Your Answer: The PEEL Method
To get the best marks, your writing needs to be clear and coherent. Use the PEEL structure for your paragraphs:
P - Point: Make a simple statement about the poem. ("The poet uses imagery to show that the character is scared.")
E - Evidence: Use a short quotation from the poem. ("For example, the writer describes his hands as 'trembling leaves'.")
E - Explanation: Explain how the quote proves your point. ("The word 'trembling' suggests he is shaking with fear, and the 'leaves' imply he feels weak or fragile.")
L - Link: Connect your point back to the main question or the theme. ("This shows that the person feels powerless in the face of the storm.")
6. Summary Checklist for Success
- Read the title: It often gives you a massive hint about the meaning!
- Annotate: Scribble on the poem! Circle interesting words and label techniques.
- Identify the "Who": Who is speaking (the speaker) and who are they talking to?
- Check the "Mood": Does the mood change halfway through? (This is called a shift or a volta).
- Standard English: The syllabus requires accurate spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Take a moment at the end to check your work!
Don't worry if you find a poem confusing! Sometimes poems are meant to be mysterious. As long as you can pick out a few words and explain what they could mean, you are doing a great job. Good luck!