Poetry analysis and terminology

Question 1

What is SPEC?

Answer 1

The template for analysing poetry:
1. Subject-matter: What event, situation, or experience does the poem describe or record?
2. Purpose: Also means theme or message of the poet. What is the poet’s purpose in writing this – what message does he/she want to communicate?
3. Emotion: What is the predominant emotion/feeling/mood of the poem? Does the mood change during the poem? What emotions or feelings does the poet seek to evoke in the reader?
4: Craftsmanship: Or technique: HOW does the poet achieve his/her effect? What specific techniques has he or she used in the making of this poem, and what is their effect? Under this category is SLIMS.

Question 2

What is SLIMSS?

Answer 2

Falls under analysing poetry: craftsmanship. Stands for:
1. Structure
2. Language
3. Imagery
4. Movement
5. Sounds
6. Summary

Question 3

Describe the first ‘S’ under SLIMSS.

Answer 3

STRUCTURE: How is the poem structured? Does it have a conventional structure such as sonnet, or an ode? Does it have stanzas with a regular number of lines, or any other interesting features of structural design?

Question 4

Describe the ‘L’ under SLIMSS.

Answer 4

LANGUAGE: Is the language appropriate to the subject and/or theme? What effect does the language have on the poem’s achievement? What does the poet’s choice of words (diction) indicate about his/her attitude (tone) toward the poetic subject?

Question 5

Describe the ‘I’ under SLIMSS.

Answer 5

IMAGERY: Are there any striking examples of similes, metaphors, personifications or symbols in the poem? What is their effect?

Question 6

Describe the ‘M’ under SLIMSS.

Answer 6

MOVEMENT: Or rhythm: Does the poem have a regular (slow or fast) rhythm? What is the effect of any rhythmic qualities? Enjambment? Consider punctuation − how does a lack of punctuation affect rhythm?

Question 7

Describe the second ‘S’ under SLIMSS.

Answer 7

SOUNDS: Does the poem have any significant sound features? Is it musical/lyrical? Does the poet use
onomatopoeia, alliteration, or assonance? Does the poem rhyme? What are the effects of these features of sound on the achievement of the poem?

Question 8

Describe the last ‘S’ under SLIMSS.

Answer 8

Summary : What is the impact of the whole poem for you? How successful is it as a work of art? Does it successfully achieve the poet’s purpose?

Question 9

What is metre?

Answer 9

The number of stresses, beats, or feet in a line of poetry. For example, iambic pentameter.

Question 10

What is iambic pentameter?

Answer 10

The rising rhythm of two syllables. For example:
shall I comPARE thee TO a SUMmer’s DAY?
(caps=long beat, no caps= short)

Question 11

Where can iambic pentameter commonly be found?

Answer 11

In Shakespearean sonnets.

Question 12

What is a 14 line poem called?

Answer 12

A sonnet.

Question 13

What does a sonnet consist of? What types of sonnets are there?

Answer 13

Sonnets are lyrical poems made up of 14 lines. Sonnets depend on a definitive rhyme scheme. There are two types - a Petrarchan/italian sonnet (broken into an octave, which poses a problem, and a sestet which resolves it) and a Shakespearean sonnet (3 quatrains and a final couplet).

Question 14

How is an Italian/Petrarchan sonnet structured?

Answer 14

14 lines total. First, an octave (rhyme scheme ABBA ABBA) that poses a problem. Then a sestet (CDDCEF) that provides a solution.

Question 15

How is a Shakespearean sonnet structured?

Answer 15

14 lines total. First, 3 quatrains (ABAB CDCD EFEF) and then a rhyming couplet (GG).

Question 16

What are the two forms of poetry?

Answer 16

Narrative poetry and lyrical poetry.

Question 17

Give detail on narrative poetry.

Answer 17

Narrative poetry tells a story. It usually has a beginning, a middle, a climax and a conclusion. Direct and narrated speech usually make up the form of this poem. Narrative poetry was often composed to record historical, political, and family events.

Question 18

What types of narrative poems are there?

Answer 18

1. The Ballad
2. The Epic
3. The Allegory
4. Dramatic Monologue

Question 19

Give detail on the ballad.

Answer 19

It is the oldest form of narrative verse. At one stage it was sung to the accompaniment of a lyre. The subject matter usually involves love, death, war, bravery, adventure and action, The rhythm has a strong beat.

Question 20

Give detail on the epic.

Answer 20

A long, narrative poem telling the story of a historical figure or event. It has been referred to as a ‘novel in verse.’ Famous examples include Homer’s ‘The Odyssey’ and ‘The Iliad.’

Question 21

Give detail on the allegory.

Answer 21

An allegory is a narrative poem that often appears in the form of an extended metaphor. It conveys a hidden moral meaning.

Question 22

Give detail on the dramatic monologue.

Answer 22

The dramatic monologue is spoken in first person (mono = one). The speaker addresses an invisible recipient(s). From his words we often learn more about the speaker than was intended. It is a narrative poem.

Question 23

What types of lyrical poems are there?

Answer 23

1. Sonnets (Shakespearean and Petrarchan)
2. The Ode
3. The Elegy
4. Modern Sonnets

Question 24

Give detail on the Ode.

Answer 24

The Ode is an address or tribute in praise of something. It is a lyrical poem describing the personal feelings of the poet, originally sung as an accompaniment to a Greek dance.

Question 25

Give detail on the Elegy.

Answer 25

A reflective poem or lament often dealing with topics such as death or mourning.

Question 26

Give detail on Modern Sonnets

Answer 26

Sonnets that often combine elements from both Italian/Petrarchan and Shakespearean sonnets.

Question 27

What are the poems we studied this term? Include the poet of each.

Answer 27

• Every / Three Hours by Koleka Putuma
• BLACK JOY by Koleka Putuma
• Harlem by Langston Hughes
• Mother to Son by Langston Hughes

Question 28

What is Every / Three Hours about?

Answer 28

It is a response to what happened to Uyinene Mnwetyana (who was raped and killed at a post office). It tackles themes of rape and violence against women and hopeless fates for women in South Africa.

Question 29

What is the format of Every / Three Hours?

Answer 29

• Free Verse
  -8 stanzas
• very random rhyme scheme
• serious tone

Question 30

What is BLACK JOY about?

Answer 30

It is about the childhood of the speaker as a black individual. It has themes of hardships, joy, childhood and poverty. It deals with society’s perception that black people’s childhood’s were bad.

Question 31

What is the format of BLACK JOY?

Answer 31

• free verse
• 9 stanzas
• 30 lines