Analysing Unseen Poetry Flashcards

A poet uses the phrase 'the moon wept silver tears.' What technique is this an example of?

Answer: Personification

Personification gives the moon a human quality (weeping), attributing emotion to a non-human subject.

When analysing the tone of an unseen poem, which of the following best defines 'tone'?

Answer: The attitude of the speaker or poet toward the subject

Tone refers to the speaker's or poet's attitude toward the subject matter, which can be melancholic, celebratory, bitter, etc.

A poem's final stanza shifts from despair to hope. What should a GCSE student focus on to explain this shift?

Answer: Changes in language, imagery, and structure that signal the turn

Identifying shifts requires examining how language, imagery, and structure change to create a new emotional or thematic direction.

Which of the following best describes a 'volta' in a poem?

Answer: A turning point where the poem's argument or emotion changes

A volta is a significant turn or shift in thought, emotion, or argument, often found between the octave and sestet in a sonnet.

A poet writes: 'He was a lion in battle, a lamb at home.' What technique is used here?

Answer: Metaphor

These are metaphors comparing the man to a lion and a lamb to highlight contrasting aspects of his character.

In unseen poetry analysis, what is the purpose of identifying the poem's 'speaker'?

Answer: To understand whose perspective shapes the poem's meaning and tone

Identifying the speaker helps students understand the perspective, bias, and emotional stance from which the poem is told.

A poet uses very short, clipped sentences throughout a poem about war. What effect does this create?

Answer: A sense of urgency, shock, or fragmentation mirroring the chaos of war

Short, clipped sentences create a staccato rhythm that mirrors the abruptness and disorientation of warfare.