How many poems should a Higher Lvl leaving cert essay discuss (Prescribed poetry)?

fpeacekeeper2 · 24-11-2009 03:11AM #1

How many poems should a Higher Lvl leaving cert essay discuss (Prescribed poetry)?

There are 8 per poet. Some sources tell me an essay should include six of these. This seems like to many to me; The analysis of each would be too brief.

My teacher says four or even three, if they're done well

What do you think?

Thanks

aoifeX · 24-11-2009 11:08AM

thats actually a very good question! i would say 4 or 5 but im not sure. 6 seems to much and 3 to little i suppose it would depend on how you link them into each other and write about them.
sorry if this isnt much help:rolleyes:

Ginja Ninja · 24-11-2009 11:22AM

if I remember right,there are 8 ont the syllabus for each,you study 6.

in the essay the expect anything as low as 3 but you can do all 6.which would make it difficult to keep a cohesive statement,but somewhere in the middle,find what suits you in the next few months.

anothernight · 24-11-2009 01:46PM

My teacher recommends doing 4 to show that you have a decent knowledge of the poet's work but still have a cohesive essay. It's up to you though. I'd say 3 is not enough, but if you can pull it off, do 6 if you want.
It's much easier to do 6 if you organise your essays by theme rather than by poem.

fkt · 24-11-2009 02:30PM

My teacher said you have to discuss six.

MaggieNF · 24-11-2009 02:32PM

well you only need 6 poems per poet.

but it really depends on the poet, if you are dealing with it thematically, then you only need one or two points about different poems.

but in general have about 4 in detail.

Jammyc · 24-11-2009 02:47PM

6 would be far too much, you wouldnt get enough detail on any.
4 is a pretty good amount. Just remember its better to discuss 4 in detail rather than 6 and barely scraping the surface. You get the marks for insightful discussion and full valid points, not showing how many poems you know. Bear in mind, the named poetry question is only 50 marks out of 400 aswell. So dont spend the guts of the exam on it.

almostnever · 24-11-2009 03:07PM

I discussed 2 in mine last year and got full marks in the question.
Make sure your points are relevant and well developed. That matters a lot more than how many poems you analyse in the answer

sogg · 24-11-2009 03:16PM

You shouldn't be discussing poems and going through them one by one, you should be discussing themes and referencing these poems into each theme. So if you feel a major theme of that poet's poetry was patriotism, write a paragraph on that referencing 4-5 poems and giving a few quotes that support your point. Do the same then for your next paragraph e.g. on feminism or whatever. Should be really easy to reference AT LEAST 6 poems that way!

Essays that go through poems one by one read really badly, and you should be well beyound that for higher level standard.

implausible · 24-11-2009 09:16PM

fpeacekeeper2 wrote: »

My teacher says four or even three, if they're done well

What do you think?

Your teacher is right, but again it depends on the quality of your answer. To be completely safe I would recommend discussing 3/4 in detail (which outline the poet's main themes) and then referring to 2 similar ones together e.g. Walcott's 'to Norline' and 'Summer Elegies' are very similar and can be discussed in one paragraph (nostalgia, lost love)

sogg wrote: »

You shouldn't be discussing poems and going through them one by one, you should be discussing themes and referencing these poems into each theme. So if you feel a major theme of that poet's poetry was patriotism, write a paragraph on that referencing 4-5 poems and giving a few quotes that support your point. Do the same then for your next paragraph e.g. on feminism or whatever. Should be really easy to reference AT LEAST 6 poems that way!

Essays that go through poems one by one read really badly, and you should be well beyound that for higher level standard.

This is a very common misconception. Poem-by-poem essays DO NOT read really badly, they are, however, easier to write. As long as you aren't writing a summary of each poem instead of an essay and are discussing the themes, language and question asked, you'll get the marks.

Gael23 · 24-11-2009 10:00PM

We have done 4 poets and 4 poems on each.

Kersmash · 24-11-2009 10:09PM

I've always been told to cover 6 poems per question.

*giggles* · 24-11-2009 10:12PM

Right, well 8 poets and prescribed and to be sure you're covered, you should do 5. Out of those 5, there's on average 10 poems to do. Then in your answer, you are asked to refer to at least 6 of those poems. Simples:)

cli2931 · 24-11-2009 10:30PM

We were always told to write theme by theme, reference 6 poems usually and 4 at least.

implausible · 24-11-2009 10:55PM

cli2931 wrote: »

We were always told to write theme by theme, reference 6 poems usually and 4 at least.

That's nothing wrong with the way your teacher approaches it. I'm just pointing out that you don't have to use theme by theme to get an A. The SEC don't require it in the marking scheme and it makes no difference to the markers.

timeforheroes01 · 24-11-2009 11:35PM

Three in detail and references from two or three more.. According to my supervising examiner grind teacher

plein de force · 28-11-2009 01:26AM

i'd say 4 or 5
3 is too little and 6 would be too much

degausserxo · 28-11-2009 01:35AM

For each poet, you're 'advised' to study six poems. It doesn't necessarily mean that you have to mention them all. Three in detail would be better than six barely skimmed.

jesus!tony · 29-11-2009 12:59AM

We are told to do at least 4 aand mention the rest in passing.
How many pages are people told to do?

SarcasticFairy · 29-11-2009 03:39PM

I'd say four in reasonable detail on average, but it's more important you can relate them to the question asked, and expand on your points adequately, than how many poems you can get in.

You're better off studying six, in case the question is very theme-specific, but you don't need to discuss them all unless they all apply, and you think you can discuss them all in enough detail in the time you have.

How many poems should a Higher Lvl leaving cert essay discuss (Prescribed poetry)?

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