Exam preparation Get writing essays! A Wilkes Production

What is it all about? Two different sections – A and B. Section A is writing about poetry. Choose one of the two questions. You have to use the poem they give you, and choose another poem to compare it with. Section B is where you have to show off your writing. You will have to write to inform, explain or describe. Choose one question and go for it!

Section A-Poetry All of these poems have a message. They are packed full of images and ideas. They all use language in interesting ways, to try and get their message across.

Key Words Reminder: Images Dialect Phonetic spelling Simile Metaphor Rhythm Meaning Alliteration Assonance Cultures Stanza Onomatopoeia Structure ASK YOUR TEACHER NOW IF YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND ANY OF THESE!

A quick run through Keep an eye open for which poems could go together!

Not my Business A negative poem with repetition, fear, unanswered questions and lots of images.

They picked Akanni up one morning Beat him soft like clay And stuffed him down the belly Of a waiting jeep. What business of mine is it So long as they don’t take the yam From my savouring mouth? African name Who are ‘they’? How does this image make you feel? Was this planned? Is Akanni treated humanely? Why use this word? What does this represent?

What business of mine is it So long as they don’t take the yam From my savouring mouth? They came one night Booted the whole house awake And dragged Danladi out, Then off to a lengthy absence. African name Is this a vacation? Who are ‘they’? Does this sound more or less threatening than the first verse?

What business of mine is it So long as they don’t take the yam From my savouring mouth? Chinwe went to work one day Only to find her job was gone: No query, no warning, no probe – Just one neat sack for a stainless record. Why is it ‘neat’? Why ‘stainless’? What does this show?

And then one evening As I sat down to eat my yam A knock at the door froze my hungry hand. The jeep was waiting on my bewildered lawn Waiting, waiting in its usual silence. Think about the country in which this poem is set. Why is this an effective image? Why repeat this word? Why does the poem not end with a definite outcome? Is this image effective?

Presents from my aunts in Pakistan This is a poem about being caught between two cultures. It has contrasting images and lots of similes.

The narrator receives gifts. They are from Pakistan, from her aunts.

Salwar kameez “peacock blue” and another “glistening like an orange split open” What language technique does the poet use to describe the colours? What is the effect of this?

“embossed slippers, gold and black” Slippers are associated with luxury. Gold is a precious metal and is expensive. What does this tell us about these shoes?

However, there is also a feeling of sadness… “I could never be as lovely as those clothes.”

The bangles cut her, and she is embarrassed showing her clothes to her English friend. She wants to wear “denim”. What are the deeper meanings here?

She thinks about Pakistan and she tries to imagine what it is like. She has seen it in the papers, a “fractured land.” It seems that her own country has once had conflict, like the narrator.

Some quick questions: What is Pakistan like, as she imagines it? What is significant about her looking through railings? What does this poem tell us abut being split between two identities?

Search for my Tongue This is a poem about someone who learnt to speak in one language. When she moved, she had to learn a new language, and she forgot her old language. This is a symbol for her losing her identity. She gets it back, yay!

Some hints: This is an extended metaphor about losing her identity and language, but then getting it back again, first in dreams. She says tongue, but she means language. (Metaphor!) She writes a stanza in her original language – why, and how? Look at the physical descriptions and how her language blossoms/grows…(Metaphor!)

Your task: Explain how this poem explores the connection between identity (who you are, your culture) and language (the words that you say or write.) Look at the images. Explain the structure. Can you compare it to another poem?

Which poems could you use with a question about… Conflict Identity Dialect Interesting structures Use of contrast Use of vivid images Interesting use of words ?

Remember to: PLAN PEE(L) Answer the question. (Keep checking that you are!) Compare the poems. How are they giving different meanings – or the same meanings?

Questions: A:) Using Not my Business and one other poem, discuss how other cultures can be shown in a negative way. Or B:) Using Search for my Tongue and one other poem, discuss how a person’s language is important to their identity.

Section B Writing to Inform, Explain or Describe.

Remember: The questions might be on both sides – check the back page. Make your choice and stick with it – ignore the other questions. SPIDER PLAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Decide which order to do your points in, this will make your work organised. READ THE QUESTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Make sure you know what to do. P – what is the purpose? What are you being asked to do? A – who is your audience? Who are you writing for? F – what is the format? How will you be setting out your piece of writing?

Try these practice tasks: 1.Write an informative article for your school magazine describing your favourite pastime. 2.Describe your home. What makes it a home? (Make sure you use adjectives!!!!) 3.Teenagers are often shown as troublemakers in certain newspapers. Write a letter to a newspaper explaining why you think that this is unfair.