The 10 mark poetry question

The 10 mark poetry question is always on the back page. The question is the same each year:
"Write about this poem and its effect on you", followed by the same five bullet points. Here's my guide to getting 10 out of 10!
First of all, read the poem twice, then read it a third time, highlighting the quotations you will comment upon. Then follow the five bullet points:

• Content: score a mark simply for saying what the poem is about!


• What the poet wants us to think about - 1 PEE. Look for themes e.g. friendship, nature and man, whether prison works etc.


• Mood and atmosphere- 1 or 2 PEEs to show how atmosphere is created/how the mood changes.


• How the poem is written- 3 PEES about the use of similes, metaphors, personification, the impact of individual words, rhyme, rhythm, verses, structure etc. If you spot a simile, metaphor etc. EXPLAIN WHY IT HAS BEEN USED/WHAT IMPACT IT HAS UPON THE READER


• Your sensible opinion of the poem, supported by a reason.

Follow this structure and you won't go wrong!