How do you approach this?

stressed_out

Question:

' A child-like wonder and language that delight are hallmarks of Kavanagh's poetry' -Discuss.

So basically, I have no idea how to approach this type of question. I try....then my points tend to...fizzle out. I mean, how do you avoid repeating 'child-like wonder' while expecting to achieve clarity of purpose? Links to sample answers would be great:).

SarcasticFairy

I did the LC last year, so I never studied Patrick Kavanagh, but in general I approached poetry questions poem by poem, as opposed to discussing all the poems under the general headings of child-like wonder and language that delights. Take each poem, and point out where there's child-like wonder and where there's particularly nice language, and as you're going along, sort of link similarities between the poems, if possible. Then conclude by pointing out that it is a common theme that runs through all his poetry. (You could disagree, but I imagine it'd be a lot harder, tbh.)

Instead of constantly using "child-like wonder" you could mention stuff about a sense of innocence, or gullibility or simplicity, or an obvious lack of experience coupled with awe/amazement/use a thesaurus... That kinda thing, depending on what fits in with the poem.

I really hated language questions, but basically it's the same stuff over and over - how it's descriptive (it's alwaaays descriptive...) and point out similes, metaphors, alliteration and any other things that fall under that umbrella (and which I'm completely blanking on right now!), and then maybe link it all to the child-like wonder, saying how the language is that of a younger person, or how it generally adds to the sense of awe, or whatever.

Something to that effect anyhow! I have no idea where you'd get sample answers though!

blackbetty69

yeah i agree with fairy. i did it last year too and for a question like that i made out a detailed enough plan. i know your teach will be telling u the importance of doing a plan first, but make sure its a good plan.. spend a few mins making it out, i used to do a 'brainstorm' kinda cloud.

Obviously you are aiming to get three valid points into your answer, so that along with intro and conclusion is 5 paragraphs, which is a hell of lota writng so practise is the main thing! then for each point, i referred to 3 poems where this theme or trait is clearly seen. yeah add in some quotes as well, just make your point, explain it, and then throw in the quote.

stainluss

stressed_out wrote: »

Question:

' A child-like wonder and language that delight are hallmarks of Kavanagh's poetry' -Discuss.

So basically, I have no idea how to approach this type of question. I try....then my points tend to...fizzle out. I mean, how do you avoid repeating 'child-like wonder' while expecting to achieve clarity of purpose? Links to sample answers would be great:).

Talk about the innocence which he is desperate to regain, theres tonnes of that stuff in his poetry.

If your ever desperate for big words, use a thesaurus!!!
Its not really cheating becaise you learn a new word:)

Do a plan beforehand of what your points will be (i guess the all have to be based on childlike wonder, use like 1 poem per paragraph)

It is a pretty narrow topic, however.
I think i could sqeeze 2 1/2 A4 pgs out of this at most:pac:

SarcasticFairy

blackbetty69 wrote: »

Obviously you are aiming to get three valid points into your answer, so that along with intro and conclusion is 5 paragraphs, which is a hell of lota writng so practise is the main thing! then for each point, i referred to 3 poems where this theme or trait is clearly seen. yeah add in some quotes as well, just make your point, explain it, and then throw in the quote.

See, that's what I meant... I did it poem by poem, as opposed to making a point and referring to poems. I don't actually know if that's the generally accepted way to do things, but eh, that's how I did it, anyway. Most people seem to do it by making a point and then bringing in poems. If that's the way your teacher has generally advised you to do it, you should probably stick with that! (Having said that, I found it easier to do it poem by poem, and pretty much always got As in my answers, so it's not wrong, but if your teacher suggests the opposite way, it might be an idea just to go with that )

implausible

There's absolutely nothing wrong with approaching your essay poem-by-poem, it's by far the easiest and most common approach.

Repeating the phrase 'childlike wonder' will get a bit monotonous for an examiner, but you'll get the marks, whereas not referring to the question at all is a disaster.

As other posters have said, use the thesaurus. You can also refer to the question in your personal response e.g. throw in that X reminds you of your childhood when you were amazed by....

eireshamrock

stressed_out wrote: »

Question:

' A child-like wonder and language that delight are hallmarks of Kavanagh's poetry' -Discuss.

So basically, I have no idea how to approach this type of question. I try....then my points tend to...fizzle out. I mean, how do you avoid repeating 'child-like wonder' while expecting to achieve clarity of purpose? Links to sample answers would be great:).

I feel for you really I do, English was my best subject at school and I needed an A1 so I used to spend hours trying to plan essays like this one until a fantastic english teacher pointed out that every LC english question asks "What is your personal response to the poetry of...?" no matter how the question is phrased.

You need an introductionary paragraph. Begin with a quote from one of his poems and say what you thought about the language used (is it stark, fresh, to the point, memorable, colloquial, complex, fluid etc)and presence/absence of child like wonder.

5-6 filler paragraphs:
Mention themes,imagery,tools used to convey the poets message, what makes Kavanagh different,Why you reate to him/his poetry,NB quotes,

Keep it personal with phrases like "I thought, the poem made me feel, in my opinion etc" Its no harm to argue both side and say certain poems convey child like wonder and others are completely devoid of it but be sure to draw a conclusion in your final paragraph.

You can answer the question poem by poem if you wish but make sure you dont summarize each poem in turn. Use the poem only as it suits you to answer the question. Ignore any Kavanagh poems that dont support your point or repeat ones already made.

Good luck.

Chris_J92

Keep refering back to the question at the start of each paragraph and keep explaining how it makes you feel etc.

implausible

I'd say the OP has managed to get this essay done by now!