P 😄ETRY
WITH A S.M.I.L.E.
The aim of this worksheet is to learn how to describe
and analyse a poem (or song or rap).
When you approach a poem, you need to look for a bit more than just what it is about, and not
just state your first thoughts. If you remember to SMILE, you will have more confidence with the
comments you make:
❖❖❖ S: Structure/Shape the way the poem is set out
❖❖❖ M: Meaning/Mood the mood/tone/atmosphere of the poem
❖❖❖ I: Imagery the ‘pictures’ you see in your mind
❖❖❖ L: Language words/phrases, associations
❖❖❖ E: Effect should be analysed as part of the above,
not a separate paragraph, often in the explanation part of your paragraph.
Before you SMILE, make sure you…
1. Read the poem/rap/song through two or three times; each reading should make
the meaning clearer.
2. Annotate as you go, underlining interesting words and phrases. Is there a lexical field
(are there words scattered throughout that have similar meaning)?
First impressions
Take a minute to think: what is the poem/rap/song about?
Consider the title; what does it tell you?
Is there a story? Are there any characters?
Is it a description (place/person/time/situation/object)?
Does it create a mood/feeling/memory?
Is the poem thought-provoking or an experiment with language?
What can you tell of the poet's opinions or feelings or reasons for
writing the poem?
Structure (or form)
What does the poem look like on the page? Regular? Irregular? Any surprises?
What is the Rhyme Scheme (AABA, ABAB…)? Are there internal rhymes? Free
form? Continuous flow?
Length of lines: are there any changes? E.g. a sudden short line may indicate
emphasis of idea or change of mood/subject which can have a dramatic
effect. Long continuous lines could be more typical of a narrative or a
stream of consciousness.
Have stanzas been divided up to fit in with the ideas of the poem? Does the
form reflect the meaning in any way?
Has punctuation/sentence structure been used for effect? E.g. how do they
affect mood?
MY NOTES ON THE STRUCTURE:
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Meaning/Mood (atmosphere and tone)
Some examples: happy, joyful, enthusiastic, ominous, reflective, sad, quiet,
angry, passionate, moralistic, warning, chatty, mysterious, exciting,
nostalgic, humorous, tense, bitter, sombre, ironic, playful, sarcastic,
melancholy …
How can you tell? Which words and phrases convey the mood?
Is it personal or objective?
Hint: Personal or subjective poetry is likely to be written in 1st person ‘I’,
while objective poetry is usually in the 3rd person ‘he/she/it’ and more
formal.
What is the MEANING? What are the key ideas? What are the central
themes? Where is the writer coming from?
MY NOTES ON MEANING/MOOD:
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Imagery
Imagery is the way words are used to create a picture in your mind. Pick out
any unusual or interesting words, images or phrases.
Think about the association of words used. Where have you heard them
before? Note the effects the images have on you and what you picture.
Which words … surprise you? … have a strong impact? … are emotive?
How metaphors, similes, personification, and appeals to the five senses
are used to create vivid impressions?
Are contrasting words used?
MY NOTES ON IMAGERY:
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Language: how the poem is written
Always comment on the effect of stylistic features, and don’t simply
identify and list them!
Words and phrases: are there any that stand out? Describe how they stand
out (because they are interesting, unusual, striking, vivid, shocking or
unexpected)?
How complex or simple is the language at different points? Is a formal or
informal style used? Why? If it is informal, is it colloquial?
Read the poem aloud to ‘hear’ the effects. Do the lines run quickly or are they
slow and steady? Do they speed up ... slow down ... why? Does the rhythm help
to emphasise certain ideas in the poem?
Is there a regular rhyme scheme? What effect does it create? E.g. continuity /
sense of order / emphasis on key points? Are there irregularities? What effect
do these create?
Are alliteration, assonance, onomatopoeia used for effect?
Is repetition of certain words and phrases used to build tension or to emphasise
key points?
MY NOTES ON LANGUAGE:
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Effect/Emotion: should be imbedded throughout
MY NOTES ON EFFECT/EMOTION:
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There are two ways you could structure and write your poetry essay.
Introduction: briefly explain setting /meaning/mood/message of
poem. This poem describes …
Then either:
Use SMILE and write a paragraph on each item.
Remember to structure your paragraphs,
and use evidence in support of your ideas.
Or:
Work through chronologically from beginning to end (including the title)
commenting on anything you notice. You might still want to write SMILE
across the top of your page to remind you what you should be writing
about.
Conclusion: sum up your ideas, referring back to the central
question. In conclusion … / To conclude … / To sum up …
Useful vocabulary and phrases
reinforces the impression of ...
conveys the idea that ...
creates the impression of ...
explores the idea of ...
suggests ...
enhances ...
strengthens ...
brings out …
emphasises …
Glossary of poetic devices
Personification Repetition
When an inanimate object or Emphasises key ideas.
something non-human is described
as if it has human qualities or Rhythm
feelings. Creates a ‘beat’ and makes lines flow
(or not!).
Simile
A comparison when one thing is said to be
as or like another.
Rhyme
Creates links between words and a sense
of unity.
Metaphor
An image in which one thing is described as
if it is another; not literally true. Lexical field / Semantic field
Words which are scattered throughout
the poem on the same theme/idea.
Extended metaphor
The whole poem uses a continuous metaphor.
Fricative consonants
Soft, breathy sounds: s, z, th, f.
Alliteration
When words close together repeat the
same consonant, for emphasis. Plosive consonants
Hard, explosive sounds: p, t, k, b, g, d.
Assonance
Repetition of vowel sounds to create Stanza
a particular effect, e.g. ‘cool A verse or block of text which does
moonlight’. not necessarily rhyme.
Onomatopoeia Free form/Continuous flow
A verse or block of text which runs
Words whose sounds echo what they
across lines regardless of where you
describe, e.g. bang! crash! Bubbling …
might expect punctuation.
Irony
a difference between the surface meaning
of the words and the implications that may
be drawn from them.
