1. Poetry
Analysis of Poetry

2. Analysing Poetry Critical Analysis guideline
Ask yourself questions about the poem. See examples below:
How does this poem make me feel? What aspects of the poem make me feel that way (words, lines, stanzas, etc)?
What is the poem about? What does it mean? How can you tell?
What was the message of the poem?
What subject(s) does the poem address?
See handout for possible questions.

3. Analysing Poetry
Answer as many of the questions as possible to the best of your ability.
Don’t simply write one answer to each question. There may be more than one. For example, the poem might make you feel different at the beginning than it does at the end.

4. Analysing Poetry
If a single word has elicited an emotional response in you try adding a slightly different word and see what it does to the poem as a whole.
Don’t be afraid of taking chances. If you can explain what made you feel a certain way then your response is valid, even if the poem made the rest of the class feel a completely different emotion. Why did it make you feel differently? There is probably a reason.

5. For this Unit
I have provided a WikiSpace with many useful links you can use during the unit.
Please access this Wiki tonight. You will need an account on Wikispaces to use the discussion space but can access the space immediately. Membership is free.

6. Assessment
2 critical analyses of poems – 1 short poem, 1 longer poem (at least 16 lines or negotiate with me).
Due date for both is next Monday (1 week from today)
2 original poems written by you in 2 different styles. You will learn more about this towards the end of this week.
First drafts due throughout next week. Poem 1 by end of lesson Tuesday. Both poems should be handed in so I can return them by Friday. Final draft of ONE of these poems due the following Monday (2 weeks from today)