Unseen poetry method (read → annotate → answer)

Key steps (method)

• Read once for what happens + the speaker’s attitude.
• Identify the big idea (theme) and the emotional journey (start → shift → end).
• Annotate a handful of high-impact words + 1–2 structural choices (turns, contrasts, repetition).
• Plan 2–3 paragraphs:
  • Point about meaning
  • Evidence
  • AO2 zoom-in (methods + effect)
  • Link to overall message
• If there’s a comparison question, build each paragraph as a compare point (both poems each paragraph).

Common mistakes

• Panicking and trying to analyse every line.
• Technique spotting with no meaning.
• Ignoring structure (the shift/turn is often the key).
• Writing vague effects (“makes it interesting”).

Support videos

• Unseen poetry GCSE English search: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=gcse+english+unseen+poetry+how+to

Notes