Response Strategy (Leaving Cert English): Revision Notes
📚 Revision Notes
Response Strategy
Overview:
The unseen poetry section, worth 20 marks, tests your ability to engage with a poem you haven't studied before. It's crucial to approach this calmly and systematically, as this section can easily influence your final grade. Aim to spend around 20 minutes on this section, leaving it until last to ensure you have enough time to analyse the poem fully.
Key Steps:
Read the Poem Multiple Times:
- First Reading: Get a general sense of the poem. Note down any immediate thoughts or feelings.
- Second Reading: Focus on the structure, tone, and any recurring themes.
- Third Reading: Pay attention to the details that may answer specific questions.
Analyze the Title and Introduction:
- If there's an introduction, read it carefully. It often provides valuable context.
- Consider what the title suggests about the poem's theme or mood.
Break Down the Poem Using Key Elements:
- Theme: What is the main message or idea of the poem? Look for universal themes such as love, war, nature, or the passage of time.
- Tone: Consider the poet's attitude towards the subject. Does it change throughout the poem? How would you describe it (e.g., reflective, melancholy, joyful)?
- Imagery: Identify the images or symbols used in the poem. How do they contribute to the theme or tone?
- Language: Look for literary devices like alliteration, assonance, metaphors, and similes. Consider how the language shapes your understanding of the poem.
- Structure: Examine the poem's rhythm, rhyme scheme, and line breaks. Does the structure influence the pacing or emphasise certain ideas?
Plan Your Response Using PQE:
- Point: Start by making a clear point related to the question.
- Quote: Support your point with a relevant quote from the poem.
- Explain/Analyze: Explain how the quote supports your point, focusing on the effect of the language or structure.
Example:
- Point: The tone of the poem shifts from calm to chaotic, reflecting the speaker's mental state.
- Quote: This is evident in the line, "My mind was going numb."
- Explain/Analyze: The use of the word "numb" suggests a loss of control, indicating the speaker's descent into confusion.
Personal Response:
- Reflect on how the poem made you feel and why. Was it relatable? Did the imagery evoke any strong emotions?
- Support your response with specific references to the poem.
Final Check:
- Ensure your answers are concise and relevant.
- Check that you have used the PQE structure in your paragraphs.
- Make sure all quotes are accurately transcribed and properly analysed.
Tips:
- Time Management: Keep an eye on the clock, allowing enough time to review your answers.
- Clarity: Be clear and precise in your explanations. Avoid over-complicating your analysis.
- Confidence: Trust your instincts—your interpretation is valid as long as it is well-supported by the text.