Feedback on Assessment Two Unit 1 Section B Poetry of the Land 50 minutes / 40 marks

Unit 1 Unit 1 = 100 marks (120 UMS) = 60% Section A – unseen poetry and prose (20) Section B- poetry of the land (40) Section C- Pride and Prejudice/Yellow Wallpaper (40) Unit 2 = 80 marks (80 UMS) = 40%

The ‘Big Picture’ for Poetry of the Land Timed essay #2 with written feedback when we get back from half-term Timed essay #3 Poetry of the Land mock – first week in December Intervention to support those who are under target – starts in January Timed essay #4 Full unit 1 mock at the start of March As many revision essays as you like 

Vocabulary Wall of Fame My personal favourites: colossal power bleak emptiness stealth timidity bestowing deity / deify meagre molten golden mass

What makes for a pleasing introduction? Success criteria: Use the words of the question It must explicitly answer the question Neatly introduce the poems and how they fit into your answer Band 4 ‘Constructs and original and creative response in a well developed argument’

Introduction 1 Imagery is a powerful tool that can be used to create a multisensory picture bringing alive a particular scene for a reader or it can be used figuratively to convey a meaning for which a poet struggles to find expression in prosaic language. Imagery is a device at the centre of the poetic experience as Shelley said ‘the expression of the imagination’. For this reason, the best poems about land are those which use it effectively – and two which make effective use of imagery are Mushrooms and How the Mountains Drip with Sunset.

Introduction 2 Whilst imagery is a powerful tool to convey the poetic imagination, it could be argued that other poetic devices are equally important in the communication of meaning. For this reason, whilst imagery can be used powerfully, it is not the sole provider of power; Mushrooms and How the Mountains Drip with Sunset both draw on imagery to convey the strength and power of nature – but their success as poems could also be argued as a result of their structure and rhythm.

Introduction 3 It is absurd to conclude that the best poems are those ‘which use imagery’ because it is not the mere use of imagery but the effective use of imagery which may distinguish a poem as great. Mushrooms is an example of imagery used very successfully in its use of extended metaphor whereas Dickinson’s use of imagery in How the Mountains Drip with Sunset could be argued as unsuccessful due to its confusing blending of synaesthesia, personification and capitalisation. For this reason, the best poems are not always those which use imagery.

Introduction 4 Imagery is a powerful tool that can be used to create a multisensory picture bringing alive a particular scene for a reader or it can be used figuratively to convey a meaning for which a poet struggles to find expression in prosaic language. But the best poems are not necessarily those which use imagery effectively, but those which use imagery politically and satisfy Shelley’s belief that poets are the ‘unacknowledged legislators of the world’ – the best poems are those that strive for change. Whilst How the Mountains Drip with Sunset may use imagery effectively, Mushrooms uses it to provide a voice for the oppressed and marginalised.

Applying feedback… ‘Poets writing about land frequently explore the theme of loss’ Compare and contrast two poems in light of this statement. Write an introduction for this question. Before you begin. What is ‘loss’? Are there different kinds of loss? Which poems do I know which feature loss? There is no obvious counter argument here – what do I do? Which poems shall I choose? Which have devices or ideas that lend themselves to comparison? Do I go for two poems or three poems?

Homework To plan and prepare for a timed essay in the first week back (2nd Lesson that week – date?) Title: ‘Poets writing about land frequently explore the theme of loss’ Compare and contrast two poems in light of this statement. What this should involve: Reading the poems and thinking hard and making notes Planning an overall structure for your line of argument – see handout as a possible model Matching it up against the mark scheme – planning for AO2 or AO3 alternative interpretation Research a) the poems b) ideas about poetry & loss? C) Nature and loss? Seek out ideas which you can borrow or quote to add originality to your response Draft your introduction, have a go at drafting a paragraph to see how your explorative comparison can be shaped.