Unseen Poetry & Prose

What to do Analyse the test to show that you know the tools the writer used to convey the message to the readers What you will need o Inquisitive mind Why? - Why use this word instead of another? - Why choose this time or place? Etc So what? - So what if we know this? - So what if this happened? Etc o Understanding of literary techniques Helps you become more aware of the effect on the readers - We immediately know when a book is funny or sad, but why? A particular word/phrase? An image planted inside our minds? A certain atmosphere created? o An open mind and sound arguments Do not bring any pre-conceived notions/your opinions Always support points with strong arguments

Unseen Poetry (More attention on language)

Understanding overall meaning Aim to understand general message and sense the mood o Read poem through without stopping once o Jot down notes at the side as you think through the 5 basic questions Who Who this poem is about (subject) What Subject matter [Theme](love, war, life, death, etc) Speakers tone and overall mood (Use gut feeling) Where Place of main action When Time of main action How How the poem is written - Narrative - Descriptive - May sometimes overlap Detailed analysis o Analyse techniques poet has used to convey meaning Message - Themes and issues

Central idea/main message Title (Should indicate subject matter) Introductory stanza (Important information about Conclusion (Main message should be clear)

Mood - Setting and atmosphere contributes to mood Setting Time and place (ask yourself how it contributes to mood) Atmosphere Description of surroundings, present feeling Pick out descriptive adjectives (environment or feelings) Explain how it contributes to overall feeling How poem engages five senses Attitude - Identify whether it is poet or persona - Style of writing How writer puts feelings into words Informal/Formal Personal/Detached Colloquial/Poetic etc Always refers to poet - Tone How the narrator sounds Positive (Light-hearted, comical, personal, etc) Negative (Gloomy, angry, sarcastic, accusing, etc) Neutral (Impartial, indifferent, etc) Can refer to poet or persona Literary techniques Makes answers more convincing and in-depth DIRS - Diction (Choice of words) Pick out words/phrases that seem interesting Analyse literal meaning Explain if there is an implied meaning Adds to Message, Mood and Attitude - Imagery Picture created by wordsattitude Adds to Message, Mood and

Main techniques Similes and metaphors Identify what is being compared Describe the characteristics of what the word in the poem is being compared to Personification Similar to how similes and metaphors are analysed Rhythm, rhyme and repetition Rhythm Pattern of stresses and unstresses Stressed words can add to Message, Mood and Attitude (Memorable) Rhyme Repitition of identical sounds Link ideas together Adds to Message, Mood and Attitude (Memorable) Repitition Repeat important words/phrases Adds to Message, Mood and Attitude (Memorable) Sound devices Main devices Alliteration and Assonance Onomatopoeia Adds to Message, Mood and Attitude

Unseen Prose (More attention on characterization and understanding plot structure)

Understanding overall meaning Read the passage once through to get general idea of what the passage is about Summarise main event and sense the mood using your gut feeling Pick out the main theme Detailed analysis Plot o Three main areas Background - Setting (Time and Place) - Character introduction - Conflict introduction (Main problem) Inner conflict Conflict within an individual character (phobia, dilemma, personal struggle, etc) Outer conflict Between two characters Expressed outwardly Tension - Purposes To increase suspense/excitement Heighten conflict - Techniques used Building the atmosphere Pay attention to environment and surroundings and characters thoughts and feelings Foreshadowing Hints to readers of a future event Increasing intensity of conflict Many times inner conflict escalates to outer conflict Resolution - Conflict is resolved o Common Questions How does the writer create and build tension in the text? How does the writer create a gloomy atmosphere? Etc Narration o Point of view First person - Readers can relate/more personal Third person

- Distant/Less personal o Characteristics of the narrator Several characteristics used o Common Questions Discuss the style of narration and how the message is effectively brought across through it Character Analysis o Areas that can give clues about the character Appearance - Physical appearances often hints to us the characters background and personality Behaviour - Pay attention to repeated behavior or strange habits and what it implies Background - Often hints about the characters social status, educational level wealth etc Relationships - Can hint characters qualities Words and Thoughts - Reveals a lot about the character o Common Questions What is your impression of X? Discuss how the appearance of X contradicts his inner character Attitude o Can be inferred through tone and style of writing o Common Questions What is the narrators attitude towards the issue he is discussing? Language o Must be aware of literary devices and how they contribute to the meaning of the text Central message Mood Attitude o Common Questions How does the writer build tension through his use of language? Your response Answers must not be superficial o Paraphrasing is superficial o Must think beyond the obvious meaning and find out what the writer is implying