“Genuine poetry can communicate before it is understood.” – T.S. Eliot
Introduction 11+ poetry analysis tips
At Fortis Education, we believe in the transformative power of poetry, not just as an academic exercise, but as a means to develop critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and language mastery. These skills are vital for success in 11+ and 13+ second-round assessments and interviews, where poetry analysis plays a significant role.
In this blog, we’ll explore why poetry is such a vital element of education and personal development. You'll learn how engaging with poetry can enhance critical thinking, emotional resilience, and language mastery. We’ll also share insights into how Fortis Education uses poetry to prepare students for academic challenges and personal growth.
Why Poetry Matters in Education
Research Insights (National Literacy Trust, October 2024)
More than half (51.2%) of children and young people don't currently engage in poetry in any way.
Many of those who do engage are experiencing a positive impact on their mental wellbeing and personal development.
There is a significant decline in interest among older children, with only 1 in 6 (17.3%) young people aged 14 to 16 engaging in their free time compared with 1 in 2 (48.7%) of those aged 8 to 11.
Girls are also more likely to engage with poetry than boys are (29% vs 19.1%).
Children and young people who don’t engage with poetry in any form identified the main reasons as finding poetry boring (41.2%) and feeling that poetry isn’t about topics they are interested in (31.8%).
Evidence-Based Benefits of Poetry Analysis
Enhanced Cognitive Skills:
Research from the University of Cambridge reveals that engaging with poetry activates both hemispheres of the brain, fostering creativity while improving analytical skills. The nuanced language of poetry sharpens comprehension and critical reasoning.
Emotional Wellbeing:
According to the Mental Health Foundation, poetry can serve as a form of bibliotherapy, helping readers process emotions, reduce stress, and build resilience. The rhythm and imagery of poetry act as a balm for mental health, especially in high-pressure times like school exams.
Improved Language Mastery:
The National Literacy Trust found that children exposed to poetry showed significant gains in vocabulary and language comprehension. Poetry's rich and layered language challenges readers to think deeply.
Cultural Connection:
Engaging with the works of literary greats—Shakespeare, Keats, Shelley, Auden—offers a connection to history and humanity. It provides a lens to understand societal values and heritage.
How Fortis Education Incorporates Poetry into 11+ Preparation
Poetry is a core element of our curriculum. Whether it’s preparing for challenging school entrance exams or enhancing literary appreciation knowing that most paths lead to the GCSE curriculum, we use poetry to unlock higher-order thinking skills. We learn the literary and poetic devices and then analyse their impact on the reader. What is the effect of that simile? What are the connotations of that verb? Poetry encourages students to look beyond the obvious, interpret subtleties, and articulate insights, all essential for academic rigour and personal growth.
Join our Fortis Poetry Club! Register here: https://www.fortiseducation.co.uk/poetry
How to Respond to Poetry in an Interview?
So you’re in the interview, you’re handed a poem and asked to read it aloud and then respond. Sometimes children are asked questions to help scaffold a response, and sometimes interviewers like to invite an open floor - “What do you think?” First perhaps at a loss and then a torrent of tangled thoughts cascade…I think I understood some of it, now to put it into words, I noticed some literary devices but oh what about rhyme scheme - was there one? I noticed some other literary devices, must remember to use the word stanzas, ummm what perspective is it written in? All of this, and more, in a matter of seconds run through the mind and a garble of disjointed thoughts often tumble haphazardly, at awkward angles.
Feeling overwhelmed by poetry analysis? Try this simple checklist:
Work through poetry responses in a linear fashion - a checklist, if you will, of elements to consider to structure your thoughts.
Poetry analysis checklist
Summarise content - in chronological order what happens in the poem.
What can you infer about the title? Is it direct or symbolic, why?
What is the form? What does it look like?
Remember Form: Refers to the overall framework or design of a poem. It includes the type or style of the poem, such as a sonnet, haiku, free verse, ode, or ballad. The form dictates key features like rhyme schemes, meter, line length, and stanza arrangement. Is it free verse, quatrains, irregular or regular stanza length and why?
What is the structure? How does this impact the reader?
Remember Structure: Refers to the way a poem is organised and arranged internally, such as how ideas, lines, and stanzas are ordered. It deals with the progression of thought, shifts in tone, line breaks, punctuation, and spacing. Structure reflects how the poem flows and develops its themes.
Is there a rhyme scheme? What is the effect?
Is it in free verse or stanzas? What effect does this have?
Whose point of view is the poem written from? What effect does this have? Is it 1st, 2nd or 3rd person?
What are the literary devices used? Similes/metaphors/personification/alliteration/juxtaposition/ oxymoron/pathetic fallacy/ imagery/ direct speech/ sibilance/ triplets/ verbs/ adverbs/ adjectives/ word choice and the connotations of those words.
Poetic devices such as enjambment, anaphora, epistrophe, caesura
What themes are there in the poem and how do these alter the mood of the poem?
What is the tone/ atmosphere of the poem? Positive/negative- happy/sad/angry/reminiscent/ regret/ excitement/ hope.
What is your overall opinion of the poem? How would readers generally respond to it and why?
Join our FREE Fortis Education Poetry Club for our next masterclass to limber up
and stretch these skills: www.fortiseducation.co.uk/poetry
FAQs: Common Questions About 11+ Poetry Analysis
What types of poetry questions are asked in 11+ interviews? These may include:
Discussing a poem, a piece of art or numerical data presented to them.
Explaining the themes or mood of a poem.
Identifying literary devices and their effects.
How can parents help their child prepare? Parents can support their children by encouraging regular practice with poems and discussion topics. Here’s how:
Read and analyse a variety of poems together, focusing on literary devices, themes, and structure. How does it make you feel and why?
Use Fortis Education's poetry analysis checklist to structure responses clearly and logically.
What makes a strong and confident poetry interview response? A strong performance is characterised by clear communication, structured responses, and the ability to think critically under pressure. Be yourself - no saccharine version.
Student Testimonials: The Impact of Our Poetry Sessions
At our last poetry session, every student from top London day schools said their understanding of poetry had improved. A Year 7 student: “I wish I’d known this before my 11+ interview!”
Join us for our next poetry session and experience the difference for yourself.
Enrich Your Child’s Education with Fortis Education
We hope you enjoyed this blog on 11+ poetry analysis tips. Poetry is more than an academic tool, it’s a gateway to creativity, critical thinking, and confidence. Whether your child is preparing for entrance exams or simply developing a love for literature, we’re here to help.
Contact us for book recommendations or personalised guidance: lisa@fortiseducation.co.uk
Ready to Get Started?
Book our in-person 11+ English course in South Kensington: book here
Sign up for our online 11+ Interview Masterclass: book here
Join our free poetry club for Years 5 and 6: register now
For a full list of all our upcoming Christmas courses click here
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