MITSL Poetry Analysis Method

This is a poetry analysis methodology for GCSE English Literature students that aids the consideration of the primary elements of poetry: meaning, imagery, tone, structure, and language.

The first item in this resource acts as an introduction to poetry analysis and, later, a study and revision aid to enable fluent analysis of poetry. It is ideal for Unseen Poetry (or poems from the associating poetry clusters usually included in English Literature Paper 2, but currently removed due to COVID).

This guide breaks down poetry analysis into 5 primary areas of focus, highlighting some of the aspects to consider for each of these broad criteria. It introduces and aids revision of key poetic techniques, and encourages critical thinking and individual interpretation of how the poet employs these techniques. It also requires the student to think about how all of these devices and aspects of the poem contribute to the overall meaning of the poem, and how the poet uses these techniques to explore the themes pervading the text.

The second item is a blank template for the student to note down ideas, devices, and aspects they notice in the poem they are working through during the lesson. This can then be repeated to cement poetry analysis skills, and used as revision or homework exercises to help hone students’ independent work.

Although this is created with poetry analysis in mind, all of these areas of enquiry are relevant when analysing any literary text, so this provides students with the foundational skills necessary to approach both poetry and prose. It is also very useful to work through this prior to approaching Shakespeare. The skills covered in this resource are transportable and fundamental to both English Literature and Language GSCE.