How to Structure the Oral Commentary
Petrarchan Sonnet
1) Introduction – Good morning/afternoon, my name is _______________ and my candidate
identification number is _____________. Today I have randomly selected the Petrachan Sonnet
(Form)“The World is Too Much With Us Late and Soon” by William Wordsworth.
2) Give a summary: This poem was written in 1806 and represents William Wordsworth’s criticism of
society and it’s preoccupation with decadence and materialism. Through the Petrarchan Sonnet form –
the speaker (which can be considered the voice of William Wordsworth himself) expresses his rejection
of this world in which man has lost sight of his true self, to a persuasive calling to the people of the
1800s to become more in touch with the importance of being in harmony with nature. Etc.
3) Thesis: Provide why the poem is important or has universal significance through the utilization of
form, structure, and language features. (Encompass the poem’s complete meaning – not just part of it).
4) Structural features: Arranged into a 1 stanza, 14 line poem, it is divided into a octave and sestet
which underscores the problem and solution of the poem. The volta marks the shift between ideas
within the poem and functions as way to highlight the problem, solution more discriminately. In the
octave, Wordsworth outlines the problem. He utilizes a consistent iambic pentameter and arranges the
poem into a rhyme scheme of ABBA ABBA in the octave and CDC DCD in the sestet. Explain the effect
of the use of these……
5) Octave – structural features – such as masculine rhyme, end rhyme, internal rhyme, elisions, any
change in the foot to begin a line, anastrophe, etc.
- language features – add in as many of the important ones as you can and discuss the effect.
6) Sestet – structural features – new rhyme scheme, divided into 2 tercets, etc. Always ensure you
discuss the effect of writing the poem in this way; utilizing this structure.
- language features – add in as many of the important ones as you can and discuss the effect.
7) Conclusion: Sign post this is the conclusion. Reiterate the significance of the meaning that is created
through the use of the many structural and language devices employed.
**Remember YOU MUST TRANSITION THROUGH THE BODY OF YOUR COMMENTARY WITH WORDS
THAT CONNECT EACH PART.
For example: Together with the various structural features of the octave that have been employed by
William Wordsworth to emphasize the problem that exists within the 1800s, he also employs a variety
of language features to strengthen the speaker’s persuasive tone.
Lyric Ballad
1) Introduction – Good morning/afternoon, my name is _______________ and my candidate
identification number is _____________. Today I have randomly selected the Lyric Ballad (Form)“Three
Years She Grew In Sun and Shower” by William Wordsworth.
2) Give a summary: This poem was written in 1799 and like many other of Wordsworth’s Lyric Ballad’s
(form) illustrates how mankind can be nourished by having a deep connection with nature. He achieves
this through the inclusion of a variety of prosaic features which involve narrative conventions such as
the character Lucy who in this poem, is taken in by nature at a young age and who then proceeds to
grow in all of nature’s bounties until she dies. What remains is the speaker’s appreciation of nature’s
role in Lucy’s development and how she has been able to achieve what few can. He also utilizes
elements of setting, exposition, rising action, and a denouement in which this narrative structure closes
to illustrate the remaining memories and how with Lucy’s death, she now achieves what few can, a
complete transformation finally being at one with nature.
3) Thesis: Provide why the poem is important or has universal significance through the utilization of
form, structure, and language features. (Encompass the poem’s complete meaning – not just part of it).
4) Structural features: Arranged into a 7 stanzas of 6 lines each. Etc. Note lines which are a different
meter. Features such as: masculine rhyme, end rhyme, internal rhyme, elisions, any change in the foot
to begin a line, anastrophe, etc. – Discuss the effect of the usage.
5) Language features – add in as many of the important ones as you can and discuss the effect.
6) Conclusion: Sign post this is the conclusion. Reiterate the significance of the meaning that is created
through the use of the many structural and language devices employed.
**Remember YOU MUST TRANSITION THROUGH THE BODY OF YOUR COMMENTARY WITH WORDS
THAT CONNECT EACH PART.
For example: Together with the various structural features, Wordsworth employs a variety of
language features as well to illustrate his pantheistic views on nature and how man can benefit
thorough a deeper connection with nature.