1. Do a ‘raw read’ first: open up a blank copy of the poem straight from the AQA anthology and just read it by yourself. Don’t worry if there are words or references you don’t understand (or even if the whole thing makes no sense yet!). Your first priority is just identifying what stands out to you – what emotions, mental images, or ideas stick in your mind after reading the poem? First impressions are important, so see what the poem can do before you jump into dissecting it!
2. TLDR: use resources (like this book) to get a ‘too long didn’t read’ summary of the subject matter and key ideas in the poem. This is also where background information and historical context can help you understand what’s going on.
3. Find your way in: now that you’ve grasped the basics, look for something you find interesting in the poem. Maybe there’s something intriguing or relatable in the author’s background, or maybe there’s a curious line or turn of phrase that sounds nice to you. Even if you don’t think you’re a huge fan of poetry, challenge yourself to find something worth exploring, and you’ll have a much easier time studying.
4. Collate & extricate: gather all of your in-class and online resources, then pull out all the best ideas and group them all together. You’ll thank yourself later when it’s time to revise and you’ve already cherry-picked all the best bits!
5. Translate & annotate: print out a copy of the poem and start writing your own custom annotations. This might mean writing ‘translations’ to define or summarise any confusing parts, or identifying key techniques that you could analyse later. Write whatever notes you think will help you plan and enhance your essays.
6. Let it cook: give yourself downtime to think about the poems and let your ideas percolate. As new ideas come to you, add them to your notes and be patient as your interpretations evolve. Examiners want to see your insights!
7 Link link link: once you feel confident with each poem, start making connections between them (on a crazy conspiracy board if you want to be dramatic, or just notes in a table format if you want to be efficient).
8. Pass to the left: swap your notes with a friend (or better yet, a whole group) and take note of where your interpretations or connections differ. Exchanging ideas is a great way to feel more prepared for exams. Bonus points if you discuss your different readings of the poem and get into heated poetry debates! But remember, it’s not about finding the ‘right’ answer – it’s about who can justify their interpretation with analysis!
9. Proof in the pudding: practise writing ‘mini essays’ where you put your ideas into words, even if it’s just a few sentences. This is the most essential skill in analytical writing, and small doses of practice are the most effective way to improve.
10. Revise, review, relax: as you approach the exam, go back through this list, read through your notes, and then trust yourself to get in there and show your skills!
