The Poets

Prescribed Poetry Higher Level - Leaving Cert 07

At Higher Level, a selection from the work of eight poets is prescribed. Students are expected to study at least six poems by each poet which reflect the range of the poets' themes and interests, and which exhibit his/her characteristic style and viewpoint.

Approaching the question:

• Rewrite the question in your own words.
  
• Decide whether you are going to agree, disagree, or partly agree with the question. Make sure you have enough evidence from the text to back up your stance.
  
• Write down seven or eight points that will form the framework of your answer. These points must be on different aspects of the question and must contain quotations or references.
  
• Develop each point into a paragraph and allow this form the structure of your answer.
  
• Each paragraph must develop your answer in a logical format. Start your answer with an introductory statement outlining your stance (this is often a reworking of the question). The next paragraphs form the body of your answer, illustrated with quotations and references.
  
• The concluding paragraph ties up your ideas. Spend some time on the conclusion as it's an opportunity to re-enforce the ideas in your answer.

The Poets

• Elizabeth Bishop
• John Donne
• Thomas S. Eliot
• Robert Frost
• Patrick Kavanagh
• John Montague
• Sylvia Plath
• William Butler Yeats