9 English Poetry SWIFT Assessment
9 English Poetry SWIFT Assessment
9 English Poetry SWIFT Assessment
Purpose: To explore and analyze a poem and its contained poetic techniques.
Task Description: Each Student is provided a range of protest poems (below) and
must pick one to complete a swift analysis. They will then write an analytical
essay of 400 – 500 words using the swift analysis.
These options will give them the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of
different aspects of the course content and/ or offer them different ways of
demonstrating their understanding and skill development.
*You may opt to find your own protest poem. Be sure to get permission from Mr
Visser before your analysis.
Year 9 English – Poetry Analysis
This SWIFT analysis will be used to write your analytical essay. Your analytical essay should
cover the questions below:
SWIFT
STRUCTURE
TEXT ORGANISATION:
-How is the poem organized/ structured? (Visually, what do you see?
-Does it have interesting features? (e.g., spacing, indentation or use of
punctuation, dashes, question marks, exclamation marks, etc.).
-Does it use Stanzas? Lines?
-How does the poem use Rhyme and Rhyme Schemes?
SOUND DEVICES:
- What sound devices are being used?
- Does the poem have a regular (slow/fast) rhythm?
- What is the effect of this on the meaning and mood?
WORD CHOICE
-What specific word does the poet use to elicit emotion? To what effect?
-How would you describe the poet’s use of words – vivid, striking, effective, simple,
colourless or predictable positive or negative? Is the language appropriate to the
subject matter/topic?
IMAGERY
-What images does the poet paint with words? Think vivid language that appeals
to the senses! (What images come to mind?)
-How would you describe the poet’s use of similes, metaphors, personification or
symbols in the poem? Do they help to convey the poem’s meaning and mood?
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
-How does the figurative language affect and enhance the poem?
THEME/TONE
PURPOSE/THEME/MESSAGE:
-What is the poet’s purpose or motive for writing this – what message/s does
he/she want to communicate?
THEME:
-What is the poet's attitude toward the subject?
-What is the predominant emotion, or mood, of the poem? Does the mood change
during the poem?
-What emotions or feelings does the poet seek to evoke in the reader / listener?
Year 9 English – Poetry Analysis
Organisation
The structure of your essay should be as follows:
Introduction:
1) Provide some background information about the poet.
2) State the name of your chosen poem and that you will analyse the poem’s structure,
word choice, imagery, figurative language and theme.
Conclusion:
1) Summarise what you discussed.
2) End with a call to action: what should readers do in light of the theme and message
of your chosen poem?