How do I analyse an unseen poem?

When analysing an unseen poem, think about feelings. Ask yourself three questions: 1) How does the poet feel?2) Why does the poet feel this way? 3) How do you know they feel this way? For example, take a look at Dulce et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen. First of all, read the poem out loud. While doing that, highlight any words that you think are about feelings. That will be your answer to question 1: How does the poet feel? When you've done that, go back and think about which emotion/emotions these words convey. Is there a common theme running through them? Think about these emotional words as evidence. This is the evidence of why the poet feels the way he/she does. This will be your answer to question 2: Why does the poet feel this way? Then for question 3, all you need to do is link 1 and 2. Link the specific words/devices that the poet has used to the specific emotion and you'll have found out what this poem is about. Remember to talk about specific devices, structure and context and you will successfully analyse any poem.

BW
Answered by Ben W. English tutor

2025 Views

See similar English GCSE tutors

Related English GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Discuss the use of personification in the following quote from Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream: ''Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, and therefore is wing'd Cupid painted blind.''


How do I write a good persuasive essay?


Which literacy device is being used in the following sentence, and what is its purpose? 'The surfer danced along the wave.'


'Stevenson presents Silver as wholly amoral and unlikeable'. How far do you agree with this statement?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning