Higher English

Textual Analysis

Poetry

Preparation for NAB

• Revise poetry techniques and learn some new ones!

• Study several poems to see techniques• Practise for the NAB – do similar

questions• Sit the NAB• Pass or fail 15/30 = pass • Resit if required next session, could be

drama

Poems

• Poems use language in a condensed form• Some poems tell a story• Most poems make you think about some aspect

of life• Many poems are written because the poet had

an everyday experience or saw something which sparked a thought …which she/he developed into a poem

• Studying poetry is about making sure you get the big ideas [= understand the theme] and can analyse the techniques used.

Textual Analysis type question(It’s also a Close Reading Question)

• Show how in lines….the poet conveys his attitude to …..

• Sometimes the question tells you the attitude

• Show how in lines….the poet conveys his disapproval of

• Show how in lines….the poet conveys his admiration for…

Show how + attitude

• If the question does not tell you the attitude you must begin by stating it

• Show how means analyse any techniques the writer has used.– Word choice– Imagery– Sentence structure etc [any other feature

you can see that’s relevant]

Analysing the image

• What imagery is used? • You must deconstruct this.• What is being compared to what? X is

compared to Y• SQA say you must show awareness of the

literal origin of the image.• This means first describe whatever

qualities are found in the object it is being compared to [Y]

Practise with your poem:Show how in lines…. the poet conveys his attitude to ……..

• Make clear his attitude• Refer to any features such as

– imagery – personification – symbolism– word choice– word order or sentence structure– etc

Reference/ quotation/ identification of a feature alone = O marks

Marks will depend on the quality of the comment [SQA]

• The poet uses a metaphor to convey the idea of X :“ nice little quotation…”

OK but no marks so far! Do the analysis!

Just as …. In the same way…This helps to convey the idea that….

Reference/ quotation/ identification of a feature alone = O marksMarks will depend on the quality of the comment [SQA]

• The poet uses effective word choice to convey the idea of X :“ nice little quotation…”

OK but no marks so far! Do the analysis!

The word “…..” suggests / has connotations of / implies……

Reference/ quotation/ identification of a feature alone = O marksMarks will depend on the quality of the comment [SQA]

• The poet uses alliteration:“ quirky quotation…”OK but no marks so far! Do the analysis!

The alliteration draws attention to the expression and intensifies the meaning.

Or if a particular effect is achieved e.g. :

The use of two plosives in the ‘broken bones’ alliteration creates a harsh sound which is appropriate in the context of the violence being described.

Development of an idea = another ‘show how’ question

• Show how the writer develops or continues the idea of ……

• Look for words or examples which connect

• Quote or refer closely to the text giving line references

• Again refer to techniques or features of the writing and analyse them fully.

Show how (poet) develops the idea of ……… in verse….OR in lines……

• Reference/ quotation/ identification of a feature alone = O marks

• Marks will depend on the quality of the comment [SQA]

Tone – a key feature of many poems(and a common question in TA and CR)

Tone is about the feelings, mood and atmosphere which the poem creates and evokes.

Tone can be related to the poet’s or speaker’s attitude or feelings towards the subject matter of the poem.

The tone of a poem can change within the poem: different lines or verses may have a different tone.

Tone

• Here are some words used to describe tone (there are many others)

• optimistic cheerful uplifting enthusiastic• regretful nostalgic pessimistic sad• tongue-in-cheek sarcastic ironic• critical derisive disparaging mocking scathing• reverent respectful deferential serious• humorous light hearted informal colloquial• With a partner discuss which are the strongest

feelings in some of the group of words above

How to discuss tone

• Tone can be established or created• The tone can be maintained or continued• The tone might be changed or altered

• You may be asked • What tone do you think is established in lines…. • OR• What tone is created in verse… and how has the

poet achieved this tone?

SQA advice on Tone

• The 'how' part is often done best by exploring other aspects of language such as sentence structure, imagery, and word choice since these are often used to convey tone.  Also, features such as sound, exaggeration and anti-climax are often used to establish tone.

What tone best describes [poem or verse or lines]…..?Say how the tone is established and how it is maintained.• You may use any of the features you discussed in

previous questions• Name the tone• Describe the writer’s attitude.• Discuss techniques or features which helped to convey

this tone.• Reference/ quotation/ identification of a feature alone =

O marks• Marks will depend on the quality of the comment [SQA]

The last question

• The final question in Textual Analysis poetry is often worth 5 marks.

• It may ask you to refer to the poem as a whole.• Keep in mind the purpose of the poem and its theme.• What did the poet want you to consider?• What new insights have you been given?• Refer to key ideas in the poem and• Refer closely to techniques the poet has used

– Sound qualities like onomatopoeia, alliteration– Tone / different tones used e.g. a mix of serious and humorous– Structural features such as listing, alliteration, length of lines,

order of words, types of sentences, repetition– Imagery used [metaphor, simile, personification

Try one of these

• How does the last verse / lines…. add to your understanding of the poem as a whole?

• How successfully has the poet conveyed his message in this poem?

• How effective has the poet been in conveying his feelings about……?