to understand how rhythm and rhyme impact a poem; to read a poem for meaning; to write poetry in my own personal voice; planning and redrafting poetry
‘Thou shouldst not have been old till thou hadst been wise.’
The Fool from King Lear, Act 1, Scene 5
Before you start reading the poetry in this section, think about your own attitudes to age and death.
PREPARE
1. 2. 3.
Draw the diagram you see below into your copy. Read the list of statements below.
Depending on whether you agree, disagree or are unsure, write each statement in the relevant part of the diagram.
Statements l
Elderly people are the most important people in our society.
l
There is a lack of respect for elderly people in Ireland.
l
Elderly people are a burden on the economy.
l
I will know everything when I am old.
l l l
Age brings wisdom. Death is inevitable.
Death is too depressing to think about.
Compare your answers with another student’s work. Where there is a difference of opinion, try to convince the other that your opinion is the correct one.
4. Write a paragraph about one of the statements you disagree with or are unsure about.
REASON IN RHYME: POETRY D 305 Unsure Agree Disagree
The PIE strategy will be very useful here to explain and back up your points. State your point, illustrate it with an example, and then explain how the example related to your point.
