Poetry is one of the most important literary genres studied in English-language classes around the world. But poetry, when not set to music as rap or a song, can be hard for students to engage with. There seem to be a whole host of literary terms that only English teachers use - things like synecdoche and metonymy - and often students struggle with where to begin with poetry. But it doesn't have to be that way here are 2 steps to make it more fun!
Often you'll be asked to analyse something that you have read for school. Perhaps you have to read a novel or poem for class. Perhaps you have an account of a historical event in a textbook that you must discuss. Maybe your teacher has you analysing graphic novels and advertisements. You might be reading and/or listening to political speeches. All of these are examples that invite you to say something not just about WHAT is written but HOW it is written. But how do you do that? One way to begin is to look at syntax, or sentence structures.
When you're in high school, you'll know that essays you write in English or History or Political Science or Law classes all require you to use quotations from outside sources to help illustrate the points that you raise. Great. But how do you integrate those quotations smoothly? How do you avoid inadvertently plagiarising or simply parachuting someone else's words into YOUR essay? Easy...we've got some suggestions for you!
