AQA Unseen Poetry

The Exam: Paper 2

Section A:
Modern Text Section C:
Section B:
Poetry Unseen Poetry
An Inspector Calls
Answer 1 question
Answer one Answer two
45 mins
question on the questions on
Power and Conflict poems you haven't
45 mins
read before.
45 mins

For Section C (Unseen Poetry):

You will be given two poems that you havent read before;
You will answer two questions about them.
 Unseen Poetry Questions
Question 1: Question 2:

Worth 24 marks; Worth 8 marks;

Analyse one poem. Compare similarities and
differences with the first poem.
You should cover:
What the poem is about; You should cover:
The key message, theme and ideas; The techniques used by the poets;
How the poet uses form and structure Form, structure and language.
to communicate ideas.
30 minutes 15 minutes
Key Tips:
Question 1 is worth more marks spend more time on Q1!
What is the examiner looking for?
That you understand what
the poems are about;

?
The use of techniques and
their impact;

Ability to support ideas and

interpretations with
evidence;

Use correct technical terms.

So, I have a poem what do I do with it?!
S Structure
What does the poem look like on the page? How is it set out? How many stanzas? MEANING
How many lines? How many words per line? Is there a pattern to this? What kind Really is
of punctuation has been used? the most
M Meaning important
What are the poets thoughts/feelings about the subject of the poem? How do you part of
know? SMILE as
There are often two layers to a poem: the obvious meaning and the deeper every other
meaning point needs
I Images to link back
How has the poet brought the scene to life? What images are created of the to how it
subject of the poem? effects/con
L Language tributes to
meaning
Look at the effect of specific verbs/metaphors/similes/oxymorons/personification
here
You may also look for sound effect language techniques such as alliteration,
sibilance, onomatopoeia
Remember to comment on the effect of any technique used if its not there,
dont mention it!
E Emotions and effect on you
What emotions in the reader is the poet trying to achieve? Does the poem have
this effect on you? Why/ why not?
 LANGUAGE STRUCTURE
Alliteration: When there is a repeated letter at the Line length: How long are the lines? Does the
beginning of each word. length of certain lines have any significance?
Onomatopoeia: when words mimic the sound of the Punctuation: Often significant, punctuation helps
object they are describing. E.G. Pop, Zip. to illuminate the meaning of a poem. Look closely at how
much punctuation is used, why is it there?
Personification: occurs when inanimate objects are Narrative Voice: Personal pronouns help tell you
given human characteristics. E.g. The wind howled. who is speaking in a poem. E.g. I, they, she, he. ** Be
aware even if it is I it may not be the poet speaking
directly, but using an imagined persona in order to
convey a certain perspective. **
Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds in words Repetition: Repetition of words or phrases creates
that are close to each other. E.g. The looming moon. emphasis of a meaning. Always think about what the
poet is trying to convey.

Questions or Commands: If there are questions Layout: often contributes to meaning. Any unusual
or commands in a poem you are studying, think about layout will usually have a deeper meaning or sub-text
why the writer has chosen this type of language. adding to the themes or ideas within the poem.

Sibilance: A repeated s sound E.g. the Timescale: When the poem takes place- sometimes
smooth snake slithered slowly it will be written like a chronological story, other poems
will describe one single moment.
Imagery: Poets create vivid images in their readers minds Rhyme/Rhythm: Revolves around how many syllables
through: Metaphors- A way of comparing things by saying each line has. Read a poem out loud to hear the rhythm. Rhyme
one thing IS something else. also contributes to rhythm.
**The rhythm of a poem can directly influence a poems tone or
Similes- A way or comparing things using LIKE or AS. mood**
 Steps to Success
1. Read the question before you
read the poem it will give you a clue
for what to look for.
Ninetieth Birthday by R. S. Thomas

You go up the long track

That will take a car, but is best walked
On slow foot, noting the lichen
That writes history on the page
Of the grey rock. Trees are about you
At first, but yield to the green bracken,
The nightjars house: you can hear it spin
On warm evenings; it is still now
In the noonday heat, only the lesser
Voices sound, blue-fly and gnat
And the stream's whisper. As the road climbs,
You will pause for breath and the far sea's
Signal will flash, till you turn again
To the steep track, buttressed with cloud.

And there at the top that old woman,

Born almost a century back
In that stone farm, awaits your coming;
Waits for the news of the lost village
She thinks she knows, a place that exists
In her memory only.
You bring her greeting
And praise for having lasted so long
With time's knife shaving the bone.
Yet no bridge joins her own
World with yours, all you can do
Is lean kindly across the abyss
To hear words that were once wise.
2. Read the poem through once
and highlight words and phrases
that stand out and that you think
are interesting.

Lets do this now.

3. Read the poem through a
second time and this time
LABEL language techniques
and features that will help
you answer the question. Try to
find at least 2 good examples.
Lets do this now.
4. Read the poem through a
third time looking for
structural techniques and
annotate the effect of the
techniques around the poem.

Lets do this now.

5. Answer the question using PEE.
Firstly, discuss how the poet uses language to talk about old age and
peoples attitudes towards it. Why did the poet use it? How does it
create meaning? What effect do these techniques have on the reader?

Secondly, discuss how the poet uses structure to talk about old age and
peoples attitudes towards it. Why did the poet use it? How does it
create meaning? What effect do these techniques have on the reader?

Thirdly, talk about your own thoughts and feelings on the poem.
Comparison question
My Grandmother by Elizabeth Jennings

She kept an antique shop or it kept her.

Among Apostle spoons and Bristol glass, Compare how
The faded silks, the heavy furniture,
She watched her own reflection in the brass
Salvers and silver bowls, as if to prove
the poets use:
Polish was all, there was no need of love. Language
And I remember how I once refused
To go out with her, since I was afraid.
Structure
It was perhaps a wish not to be used
Like antique objects. Though she never said
In each paragraph
That she was hurt, I still could feel the guilt
Of that refusal, guessing how she felt. make sure to
Later, too frail to keep a shop, she put
answer the
All her best things in one narrow room.
The place smelt old, of things too long kept shut, question and talk
The smell of absences where shadows come
That cant be polished. There was nothing then about the effect on
To give her own reflection back again.
the reader.
And when she died I felt no grief at all,
Only the guilt of what I once refused.
I walked into her room among the tall
Sideboards and cupboards things she never used
But needed; and no finger marks were there,
Only the new dust falling through the air.