Unseen Poetry Skills

What is the FIRST thing that you need to do when encountering an unseen poem in a Literature test?

• Write my critical response to it.

• Ask my teacher what the poem is about.

• Read the title and the questions on the poem.

• Read the poem at least twice.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.10

CCSS.RI.7.10

CCSS.RI.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

When analysing an unseen poem, you are encouraged to use the following framework:

• 5KAS

• Why X, not Y

• PAMOET

• SPEC/SLIMS

I have learnt that there are two types of poems featured in a Literature test. They are:

• Details-driven

• Ideas-based

• Narrative-based

• Big-picture

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Narrative-based poems tell a _____ and they tend to follow a sequence of events and have a semblance of a plot / characterisation / setting.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

"What do you find striking about the way the poet writes about her sister’s actions in the first two stanzas of the poem?" What type of question is this?

(Key words: "the way the poet writes"; "sister's actions in the first two stanzas")

• Big-picture question

• Details-driven

Tags

CCSS.RI.1.1

CCSS.RI.2.1

CCSS.RI.3.1

CCSS.RL.2.1

CCSS.RL.3.1

"What do you think the poet is saying about growing up in general?" What type of question is this?

(Key words: "growing up"; "in general")

• Big-picture question

• Details-driven

Tags

CCSS.RI.1.4

CCSS.RI.2.1

CCSS.RI.3.1

CCSS.RL.2.1

CCSS.RL.3.1

While it is important to look at the big picture of a poem (Subject-Purpose-Emotion), it is also important to look at the small details or the writer's techniques. This is represented by 'C' in SPEC/SLIMS. What does it stand for?

• Creativity

• Context

• Craftmanship

• Criticism

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.10

CCSS.RI.8.10

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

In SPEC/SLIMS, what do the two last letters stand for?

• Movement

• Mood

• Subject

• Sounds

Tags

CCSS.RF.3.3B

CCSS.RF.3.3C

CCSS.RF.3.3D

CCSS.RF.4.3A

CCSS.RF.5.3A

In SPEC/SLIMS, what do 'L' and 'I' stand for?

• Language

• Literary Device

• Irony

• Imagery

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

BONUS QUESTION: Do you like poetry?

Note that there's only one right answer :)

• Yes

• No

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9