leaving cert english poetry essay

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Subreddit for Leaving Cert students and teachers to request and share resources for all exam subjects. Request resources you need, share files others might need. A link to the shared drive can be found in the stickied post.

Tips for all Sections of English Exams.

First of all, good luck to everyone. I have no idea if this subreddit has actually helped anyone but I hope it has and will in the future once it's had a little time to grow.

Below are the tips I gave my class for the English exams this week. Of course there is much more that could be added but in my experience this is what matters most.

For anyone looking for notes, there are tonnes of English notes in the shared drive for this subreddit also: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Vfd5iQi5ddgE7rxfYb8Oj6cGwR3Ip_Io?usp=share_link

(TLDR: Answer the Question at all Times! Plan responses before writing. Pay attention to timing)

*Make sure to choose Q.A and Q.B tasks from different texts*

Section 1: Q.A: Comprehension

-Understand the Question(s ): Don’t just read the Qs, analyse them. If you misinterpret the questions your answers are worth nothing. Take the time to figure out exactly what they’re asking you before you start writing.

-Answer the Question!: Everything your write needs to work towards the same goal. Anything you write that isn’t linked to the task won’t earn marks so stay on topic and keep everything relevant.

-Timing and Structure: Short intro with one paragraph for every 5 marks (unless Q states otherwise), and one minute spent writing per mark. Answer the Q by getting straight to the point, provide evidence, explain how it supports your point, move on.

-Last Minute Revision: Be familiar with the features of the different language genre; Aesthetic, Narrative, Argumentative, Persuasive, Informative.

Section 1: Q.B: Functional Writing

-GAP: What matters most here is meeting GAP; Genre, Audience, and Purpose.

Genre is about matching the format of the task you are completing. If it’s a speech, introduce yourself and speak to the audience. If it’s an article include a headline/byline. If it’s a letter, make sure you include address/date etc.

Audience links to who the intended reader/listener of your writing might be. If it’s a formal letter you tone would be more serious and stiff. A diary entry would be more informal and personal etc.

Purpose means you have completed ALL of the tasks asked of you. Is your writing achieving it’s intended function? Is your speech persuasive or informative? Is your diary entry reflective and personal? Read the Q and answer it!

-Timing and Structure: You will have about 30-40 minutes to write this. Plan your response carefully and aim to write between 2-4 pages. Focus on GAP above all else and leave plenty of time for the 100 mark composition task coming up.

-Last minute Revision: Look over the layout of different genres like a Diary Entry, Speech, Letter (Formal and Informal), Article.

Section 2: Composition

-Structure and Length: Pay attention to GAP, but put more emphasis on planning here since this essay is so long. You are aiming for somewhere between 4-8 pages here so PLAN your response carefully. Even if you use extra time on the comprehension tasks you need at least an hour for this section. It is worth 25% of your entire Eng result so make it count!

At the start establish GAP , introduce a hook to grab attention, and create a flow by including a thread you’ll use to tie sections together.

Each section needs a clear focus that is fully explored before moving on. Try to use connectives to make your essay follow a logical path as it develops.

Your Conclusion would ideally link back to your opening in some way to create a sense of completion. No cliff-hangers, waking up from dreams, to be continued, or random twists.

-Content: For this section GAP definitely matters, but HOW you write becomes increasingly important. Find opportunities to show off your writing ability by hitting the examiner with a barrage of techniques and devices, descriptive details, personal reflection, use of the senses etc. GAP will get you a good grade, showing off at opportune moments will get you a great grade.

-Last Minute Revision: Look over samples of H1-level Personal/Discursive Essays and Descriptive Essays as they are historically the more dependable options.

*Do not just summarise your texts!*

Section 1: The Single Text (Macbeth)

-Answer the Q: Any moment your refer to, and quote you include, and character you summarise, it all needs to be linked to what the question is asking you. Use the key words from the Q often, but make sure you actually discuss them !

-Likely Topics: There is a lot they can ask, but the most likely topics are on the main Characters (Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Duncan, Banquo, Macduff, Witches), the main Themes (Ambition, Guilt, Power, Good Vs. Evil), and Style (Symbols/Images, Soliloquies).

- Last Minute Revision: Focus on the key scenes in the play paying attention to how they link to the characters’ development, the play’s main themes, and common symbols/images.

1:3, 1:7, 2:2, 3:4, 4:1, 5:1, 5:5, 5:8. (Not really a “last minute” task…)

Section 2: The Comparative

-2023 Changes:

Texts: Remember that this year you do not NEED to know all 3 of these texts. You can choose to tackle the 70 mark Q on just 2 of your studied comparative texts. If you have studied all three texts I STRONGLY suggest you take the route of answering the 30 mark Q on one of your texts, and the remaining 40 mark Q on the other 2. Statistically, this is the way you are most likely to get the highest marks; It eliminates the complexity of comparing 3 texts at once and it makes your comparative response much shorter/easier.

Modes: Also remember that all 3 of your studied modes will appear. You can use information from the other 2 modes, but keep the focus on the mode you choose to respond to.

-Comparative Essentials: As always, answer the Q. But make sure you are comparing as frequently as possible. Sections should start and end with comparisons at the very least!

-Last Minute Revision: If you’re in a tight spot then pick two texts, and just one mode. Know your key moments (beginning, climax, ending) and choose the 70 mark Q on 2 texts.

Section 3: Poetry

-Biggest Mistake: The biggest mistake is that students often just summarise what each poem is about and throw some random quotes in to prove you’ve learned them. This will lose you massive marks. Answer the Q! Use your knowledge of the poems and the quotes you’ve learned to support a clear argument. Do no fall into the trap of just summarising poems.

-Structure: Aim to discuss 4 poems in detail, 5 if you're good with timing. One paragraph per poem with around 3-7 quotes to support points.

-Last Minute Revision: 4 Quotes from 4 Poems by 4 Poets -Unseen Poetry: This is worth the least amount of marks so leave it until last. If you have time, tackle the 2x 10 mark Qs. If you're short then tackle the 20 marker. This will be somewhat similar to the comprehension Qs from Paper 1; Focus on the Q, support your points with evidence, and move fast.

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Verse 2024 – Leaving Cert English Higher Level Poetry + Portfolio

The Verse Higher Level 2024 textbook for Leaving Certificate English poetry. Accompanied by the Verse Higher Level 2024 Poetry Skills Portfolio book.

€ 20.95

About this Title

The Textbook

• A full, annotated sample essay and sample essay questions for new prescribed poet Paula Meehan.
• All past questions for each poet are included.
• Contains all eight poets prescribed for examination in 2024.
• Features a clear, colourful A4 layout . A key image accompanies each poem.
• Timeline for each poet offers relevant biographical detail to give context to their work.
• Pre-reading and comprehending and responding questions for all poems.
• Exploring sections after each poem offer immediate, clear analysis in a concise format. Relevant quotations and biographical details are integrated in the commentary, providing a model for essay answers.
• Creating questions contains innovative writing assignments prompted by the poem, which allow practise for Paper 1 through the study of poetry with common formats such as letters and blog posts.
• End-of-chapter theme sections contain handy reference tables showing the main themes within each poem. Major themes are explored in-depth , bringing together an overall analysis of the poet.
• End-of-chapter language and imagery sections offer notes on key literary techniques used by the poet with relevant examples for each.
• Sample essay plans and paragraphs for each poet develop skills in building structured answers that respond accurately to the question asked.
• Unseen Poetry section offers friendly guidance on approaching the unseen question with a variety of fresh poems and songs.
• Glossary of poetic terms gives clear explanations to refer back to when needed.
• Exam Advice sections provide useful information on preparing for and answering on prescribed and unseen poetry.

Poetry Skills Portfolio

Create an invaluable revision guide for exam-time. Build up knowledge of studied poets. Develop writing skills for producing exam-standard essay answers.  The Verse Higher Level Poetry Skills Portfolio  contains:

• biography tasks
• theme, language and imagery note templates
• paragraph-writing tasks
• dedicated space for writing sample essays.

Additional information

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Leaving Cert English Poetry Essay Scaffolding

Guide students on scaffolding a poetry essay with this wonderful template showing students how to hone in on what the question is asking. The resource also gives tips on writing a perfect poetry paragraph.

How it maps to the curriculum

Strand: Poetry

Meta information

• Asset type: Document
• Language: English
• Rights: All rights reserved

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Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin Leaving Cert Sample Essay #625Lab

“ ní chuilleanáin ’s demanding subject matter and formidable style can prove challenging.”, discuss this statement, supporting your answer with reference to the poetry of eiléan ní chuilleanáin on your course..

Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin is regarded  by numerous people  as one of the most important contemporary Irish women poets. Ní Chuilleanáin is  commemorated   (not the best choice of words. How about celebrated ?)  for being mysterious and complex. Her personal stories give way to more general mysterious patterns of meaning.  (What is a pattern of meaning ?)  Accounts, memories  from the past  and loved ones who have passed away are kept alive through her poetry. This is evident in both the poems “Fireman’s Lift” and “The Bend In The Road”. Ní Chuilleanáin’s subject matter varies from social commentary and reflection of religious issues to quiet  subjective   (?)  poems about human nature. She is knowledgeable in history and a strong impression of connection among past and present characteristics  are   is  seen in her work which leads to her drawing interesting parallels between historical events and modern situations.  (This is a classic: a reasonable statement expressed in an impossibly long sentence that destroys all sense it with punctuation errors. Avoid long sentences!)   Ní Chuilleanáin  ’s poetry is technically accomplished, graceful and sometimes mysterious, filled with speculations and questions for which there are no definite answers.  What impression does this intro create? It paints a picture of a student who studied the poet, who knows a lot and has reflected on it but is really unclear and unable to synthesise her knowledge in a way that’s palatable to the examiner. This is a tragic situation as the return for this author’s hard work is very poor. What is her main problem? She’s not clear. There is no structure to this vague blurb. I am still not sure what she is going to talk about. The good news is that this author is ripe to go from a middling grade to a very high one within a day of bootcamp style  practice . The rest of this essay was ok, but here is another one that contains more learning points:

As I hope I have demonstrated, Ní Chuilleanáin’s demanding subject matter and formidable style can often prove challenging. (Again, a little mechanical. It’s true that you are restating a lot of what you’ve already said, but try to be more subtle than a sledge-hammer.) Her themes, including love, death, religion and family are never straight forward, but her unique and iconic style makes for complex yet enjoyable reading.

Many thanks to the author, Ben O’Donnell

Leaving Cert essays are marked using “PCLM”

Clarity of purpose:, coherence of delivery, efficiency of language use, accuracy of mechanics, it has all been tidied up here, but remember that this  counts for 10% .