1. Writing a Critical Essay on ‘Valentine’ By Carol Ann Duffy

2. Choose a poem which increased your understanding of an aspect of the modern world.
State what aspect of the modern world the poem illustrates and go on to show how the poem, both by its content and its style, increased your understanding. In your answer you must refer to the text and to at least two of: ideas, theme, imagery, word choice, or any other appropriate feature.

3. Love and relationships
Choose a poem which increased your understanding of an aspect of the modern world.
State what aspect of the modern world the poem illustrates and go on to show how the poem, both by its content and its style, increased your understanding. In your answer you must refer to the text and to at least two of: ideas, theme, imagery, word choice, or any other appropriate feature.

4. How to Structure Your Essay
When writing any critical essay, follow the following basic plan:
Write an introduction. (author, title, reference to question and brief summary)
Write four supporting paragraphs using the P E T E R system.
Write a conclusion to sum up your argument.

5. The P E T E R System P: Make a point about the text.
In each paragraph you will use the following formula:
P: Make a point about the text.
E: give evidence from the text to back up your point.
T: mention the technique which is being used.
E: explain the quote and analyse the language.
R: give a personal response to show what this made you think/ feel.

6. In your critical essay you will be focusing on four things:
The positive aspects of love mentioned at the start of the poem.
The negative aspects of love.
The change to a more sinister tone at the end of the poem.
The structure of the poem.

7. Your essay will be structured like this:
Paragraph 1: Introduction.
Paragraph 2: The positive aspects of love.
Paragraph 3: The negative aspects of love.
Paragraph 4: The change in tone at the end of the poem.
Paragraph 5: Conclusion

8. Positive aspects of love. (Point)
What do YOU think of her choice of gift?
(personal Response)
Explain WHY Duffy does this and WHAT she is trying to say.
(Explanation)
Positive aspects of love.
(Point)
The onion, just like a new relationship, promises pleasant things. GIVE A QUOTATION.
(Evidence)
Explain that the onion is a METAPHOR
(Technique)

9. Negative aspects of love (Point)
What do YOU think of her honest/ realistic portrayal of love?
(personal Response)
Explain WHAT Duffy is trying to say about relationships and analyse the language used.
(Explanation)
Negative aspects of love
(Point)
The metaphor is extended throughout the poem.
(Technique)
Love, like the onion, has negative qualities too. GIVE A QUOTATION.
(Evidence)

10. The tone in the poem becomes sinister at the end.
What do YOU think of the poem’s ending?
(personal Response)
Explain WHAT Duffy is trying to say about her relationship and analyse the language used.
(Explanation)
The tone in the poem becomes sinister at the end.
(Point)
Duffy considers the potential breakdown of the relationship and the consequences. QUOTE HERE.
(Evidence)
TONE
(Technique)

11. STRUCTURE (Point) What do YOU think this adds to the poem?
(personal Response)
Explain WHY Duffy does this and WHAT she is trying to say.
(Explanation)
STRUCTURE
(Point)
No strict rhythm/ rhyme. Some lines stand alone. GIVE A QUOTATION.
(Evidence)
FREE VERSE
(Technique)

12. Conclusion Refer back to the question:
Explain how the poem helped you understand the reality of love in a modern world, as it is both positive and negative.
Sum up your points again very briefly to show what you have looked at.