How do I write analytically about an unseen poem in the exam?

Step 1: Read the question carefully, highlight and annotate keywords as you go. Write a list of poetic techniques.

Step 2: Read through the poem with the key theme of the question in mind.

Step 3: Read it again making brief notes or annotations on the poem.

Step 4: Decide on a structure that will be appropriate for the theme (form, structure, language/sub-themes/positively, negatively...). Note down the headings form structure and language to ensure that you write about them if you don't choose that plan structure.

Step 5: Write down 3 brief points of analysis for each section of the plan ensuring that you include form, structure and language.

Step 6: Intro. Use the plan headings to structure a short introduction to the areas you will analyse. (very brief)

Step 7: Main body. Using the headings of your plan and a point, evidence, analysis structure, concisely express the notes you made earlier on the poem. In each point you should identify the technique used and how this relates to the theme, provide a direct quotation from the poem (embedded if you can) and an analysis of why the poet presents the theme in this way. Ensure that you refer back to the question at the beginning of each point.

Step 8: Conc. Using the main body of your essay you should come to a conclusion that refers back to the answer using its keywords. The conclusion should be gathered from the content that you analysed earlier in the essay - do not introduce any new ideas. The conclusion will be different depending on the theme and plan structure that you chose but it should always come to a general response to the question that draws on the ideas you presented earlier in the essay.