Writing a poetry Essay at Leaving Cert. Higher Level Essay Title: Write an essay outlining the reasons why you liked the poetry of Derek Mahon. Sample Page 423

Planning: Introduction: You need to decide what your point of view is. Everything in your essay should then relate to this point of view. Do you like his poetry? If so, why? Example: I really like the poetry of Derek Mahon. I find it intriguing that he engages with the world beyond himself. His poems deal with history and its victims, detailing their predicaments in a compassionate way…..

Decide which poems you will discuss. Example: *After the Titanic *Antarctica *As it Should Be *Rathlin

Structure the essay. You need to decide on the main points that you will discuss in your essay – each paragraph should discuss a different point. (Up to six points should suffice). Also, you need to decide on the poems that you will refer to in your discussion of each point. Remember: Your discussion should reinforce your point of view expressed in your introduction.

Example: The first paragraph, the introduction, will clearly state my point of view. The second paragraph will deal with the fact that I like how so many of Mahon’s poems are spoken by people other than the poet himself. It will deal with ‘As it Should Be’ and ‘After the Titanic’. The third paragraph will deal with another feature of the poetry that appealed to me – their focus on individuals that are trapped in extreme situations, psychologically on the edge. It will discuss ‘Antarctica’, ‘After the Titanic’ and ‘Rathlin’. The fourth paragraph will deal with the compassion and concern that Mahon shows for victims of history. It will discuss ‘Rathlin’ and ‘As it Should Be’. The fifth paragraph will deal with how Mahon also shows the fierceness of the natural world. It will discuss ‘Antarctica’, ‘After the Titanic’ , ‘Rathlin’. Finally, conclude – summing up in a few clever sentence with reference to the poet’s work.

Writing the body paragraphs: Each paragraph should begin with a topic sentence. Every other sentence in the paragraph should relate to the topic sentence. Back up every point with a quote – this is a golden rule at leaving cert. At the end of each paragraph try to link the poems discussed.

Conclusion: Rewrite your point of view in slightly different language. Add a sentence that refers to the poems discussed ‘As I have outlined above’….. Add two more sentences to flesh this statement out being as personal as possible.

While it is good to begin using this example to guide you, your essay should be fresh and original. Always plan your own individual essay as it allows you to engage more personally when you are expressing your own thoughts.