1. Copyright 2007 www.englishteaching.co.uk Writing about poems AIM: to analyse ‘In Mrs Tilscher’s Class’ by Carol Ann Duffy Point, Evidence, Explore/Explain

2. Copyright 2007 www.englishteaching.co.uk Point short sentence Your point is a short sentence used to introduce your evidence. It can be about a technique, the style of poem or about your views. The poet uses a simile The poem is filled with laughter The poet uses metaphors There is alliteration in the poem The poem is a monologue

3. Copyright 2007 www.englishteaching.co.uk Evidence ‘In Mrs Tilscher’s class’ The poet uses personification to describe the bell. I know this because it says: ‘The laugh of a bell’. Evidence is used to support your point. You must always use quotation marks (‘’). It is really important that you remember to use only the evidence that is necessary. This may mean only a word, embedded in your sentence, or a short phrase / sentence. How could we improve the example given opposite?

4. Copyright 2007 www.englishteaching.co.uk Explore / explain The poet uses personification to describe the bell: ‘The laugh of a bell ’. This quotation suggests the bell is alive. effect When you explore your point and evidence. You are exploring the effect of your point. Remember not to repeat your point in the exploration. How is this example an improvement on the first? How can we improve the example opposite?

5. Copyright 2007 www.englishteaching.co.uk Gaining a higher grade The use of personification in the ‘laugh of a bell’ suggests the bell is alive and reflects the happiness and carefree nature of the children in their first term. To gain a grade C or higher you must explore your evidence in detail. You should explore how your point made you feel and the effect it has on the poem. Why will the example opposite achieve a high grade?

6. Copyright 2007 www.englishteaching.co.uk Link Phrases choose your vocabulary carefully- a sophisticated vocabulary means a higher grade Link Phrase 1 This is shown in This is apparent in I know this because This is conveyed in Link Phrase 2 This quotation suggests This example highlights This conveys This means

7. Copyright 2007 www.englishteaching.co.uk Making my Point Read the poem through make notes on: Content ( what the poem is about) Language (techniques ) Tone and mood (Sad, funny; desolate, optimistic) Form ( number of stanzas, lines, blank verse) and Style (limerick, rhyming couplets)