When commenting on a writer's style and the intended effect it is important to show your understanding. By following the STATE, QUOTE, COMMENT approach you will develop an appropriate approach.
e.g.
STATE
In the first stanza of the poem "Miracle on St David's Day" Gillian Clarke describes the country house in what seems to be an idyllic setting.
QUOTE
.............The sun treads the path
among cedars and enormous oaks.
It might be a country house, guests strolling...
COMMENT
Despite the conversational tone suggesting normality, her use of the word might alerts the reader.
STATE
The illusion of normality is swept away by the opening line of the second stanza:
QUOTE
I am reading poetry to the insane.
COMMENT
The finality of the end-stopped line and the matter of fact tone shock the reader. The contrast between the descriptive lines of the opening stanza and the flat tone of this line introduce the reader to the contrast between the setting and the guests.
Your paragraph would thus read:
In the first stanza of the poem "Miracle on St David's Day" Gillian Clarke describes the country house in what seems to be an idyllic setting:
.............The sun treads the path
among cedars and enormous oaks.
It might be a country house, guests strolling...
Despite the conversational tone suggesting normality her use of the word might alerts the reader. The illusion of normality is swept away by the opening line of the second stanza:
I am reading poetry to the insane.
The finality of the end-stopped line and the matter of fact tone shock the reader. The contrast between the descriptive lines of the opening stanza and the flat tone of this line introduce the reader to the contrast between the setting and the guests.
Note the two methods of using quotations:
1. Lines set out as printed and apart from your writing.
2. Single words included as part of your writing.
JA/5/00
This poetry resource by Jean Aldred was found free at www.englishresources.co.uk
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