How can I prepare for an unseen poem exam?
The best way to prepare for this sort of exam is by learning techniques which commonly feature within poetry. Once you have learnt these, practise applying these techniques to poems you haven't seen before, and try to spot patterns or recurrences. The best thing to do is try and include a comment on the following things: 1. The structure - i.e. rhyme scheme, juxtaposition 2. Grammar - i.e. imperatives, demonstratives 3. Sounds - i.e. alliteration, onomatopoeia 4. Metaphors/Similes As long as you try to include something from each of those areas, then you have everything covered!
HF
Related English GCSE answers
All answers ▸How should I approach an unseen poetry question in AQA English Literature GCSE?
How to write a brilliant piece of creative writing?
How do I analyse a quotation effectively?
Read lines 31–42. By referring to both word choice and sentence structure, analyse how the writer creates a negative impression of adults. (4 marks) (Question taken from the 2016 Higher English past paper)