1. Higher LI We are learning how to answer the last question in the Critical reading paper

2. The Last Question (10 marks)
Look at the hand out of the set text specimen. The paper is broken down as follows:
There will be four questions.
The first three questions will be textual analysis style questions on one of the set texts that will be given to you.
Two 4 mark questions (So, two quotes and two sets of analysis per question)
One 2 mark question (So, one quote and one set of analysis)
Your last question will be worth 10 marks, taken from one or more of MacCaig’s other poems although you should refer to the poem given and discuss how it connects to MacCaig’s other poems (‘one or more’ /‘at least one’)
2 marks for identifying a commonality (theme etc in ref to the qu)
2 marks from poem given
6 marks for referring to MacCaig’s other poems (“one or more/at least one”)

3. Example Questions for poetry (Visiting Hour)
Questions 46. look at lines 1—7. Analyse how the poet’s use of language conveys his response to his surroundings look at lines 8—18. Analyse how MacCaig uses language to highlight his own sense of inadequacy look at lines 19—38. Analyse how the poet’s use of language emphasises the painful nature of the situation for both patient and visitor By referring to this poem, and at least one other by MacCaig, discuss how he explores the theme of loss in his work. 10

4. The final question on the Scottish Text at Higher can ask you directly about theme or to focus particularly on a common feature of language or literary device to reveal the theme. Essentially, you must always link your answer back to your understanding of theme.

5. Question – Visiting Hour
By referring to this poem, and at least one other by MacCaig, discuss how he explores the theme of loss in his work

6. Stage 1: introduce poems and their details, identify the commonality between them and elaborate on their themes/central concerns: Stage 2: Look at the named poem you have been given in the exam and identify a feature/idea/technique that helps to explore the commonality/answers the question given: Stage 3: Identify an appropriate technique/idea or feature of language in a different poem which illustrates the same commonality effectively. Do this THREE times.

8. Some common features across the poem are indeed the following themes:
finality of death/loss (of a loved one)
loss and isolation that accompany death/separation
the loss of culture and regret that accompanies this
women
respect for / delight in nature
nature

9. Other features include the regular use of certain techniques:
sound techniques
contrast
imagery
repetition
tone e.g. sombre, regretful, humorous
expression of strong feelings
sense of setting

10. To prepare For each poem, answer the following questions. Subject
• What is the subject of the poem?
• Does the title contribute to your understanding of the subject matter?
Theme
• What theme is dealt with in the poem?
• Is there a moral/message in the poem?
Setting
• Is there a sense of place or time created?
Tone
• Is the poem serious/ironic/humorous?
• How is this tone created?
Structure
• Has the poet used a particular form? Repetition? Inversion? Turning point?
Techniques
• What techniques has the poet used? (word choice/type of language/images/)
• What are their effects?
• How does the form contribute to the meaning of the poem?

11. In the table below, we will begin to organise suitable quotations from across the poems that refer to the common features in the left hand column.
Feature
Assisi
Visiting hour
Sounds
1 The finality of death/separation
2 Loss and isolation
3 Respect for/ delight in nature
4 Senses
5 Setting
6 Humour
7 Sound techniques
8 Imagery
9 Contrast
10 Repetition/structure
11 Hope/hopelessness
12 Admiration

12. Your Turn
By referring to this poem and one other by Norman MacCaig, discuss his use of contrast in his work.
Assisi – theme of hypocrisy and poverty through the dwarf and church
Sounds of the Day – theme of loss through contrasting sounds (positive sounds of nature to “door scraping shut”)
Visiting hour – contrast of himself with nurses/dying patient with living visitor
Memorial – theme of death through positive words and negative words
Basking Shark – “matchbox brain” to “roomsized monster”

13. For more practice