AS ENGLISH LITERATURE EXAM
SECTION A: POETRY
EMILY DICKINSON
1 HOUR
CHECK IT OUT:
http://englishatturton.edublogs.org/
(Or just type “english turton” into Google; it’s the first link.)
• Click on ‘Mr Johnson’s classes’
• Click on ‘AS English Literature Exam: Poetry
(Emily Dickinson)’
STEP ONE
Highlight the key word(s) in the question.
Discuss ways in which Dickinson presents
nature in ‘A Bird came down the walk’.
STEP TWO
Write essay:

Answer question – short paragraph that mentions the meaning/content of the
poem.

Chronologically deal with the entire named poem; refer to language/imagery
AND structure.

Refer out to 3 or 4 other poems (using 3 or 4 quotes).

Conclusion – make a decision about the key word.
EXAMPLE OF INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH
TOP BAND OF MARK SCHEME:





critical terminology used accurately and consistently
consistently effective use of quotations…blended into discussion
consistently well developed…discussion of effects of language, imagery and verse form
consistently detailed understanding of the significance and influence of contexts…
consistently fluent and accurate writing…
Excerpts from Connor’s essay:
…The repetition of ‘stillness’ both ‘in the Room’ and ‘in the Air’ echoes the anticipation that
the persona’s peers feel and by extending the stillness from the room to the air perhaps
Dickinson is suggesting that the whole community shares this anticipation at the time of
someone’s passing. This change in scale of anticipation from a small room to an almost
infinitely large, and frankly, ridiculous scale is an example of Dickinson’s satirical view of a
largely Puritan view of death, which is fuelled by her own uncertainty and questioning of
the ever-changing world around her, which influenced many of her poems.
…Even the rhyme changes to exact, reinstating the feel of uncertainty; perhaps the persona
is now certain of her uncertainty given that a mere fly has now disrupted the perception of
death she has been brought up to expect.
OVER TO YOU
1. Individually: have a go at structuring an
answer to an exam question.
OR
2. In pairs or in a group of 3: identify evidence
(language and structure) that you could
use for an exam question.
Challenge: Pick a poem with which you
feel LEAST confident.
Emily Dickinson Poems
258 There’s a certain Slant of light
280 I felt a Funeral, in my Brain
328 A Bird came down the Walk –
341 After great pain, a formal feeling comes –
465 I heard a Fly buzz – when I died –
494 Going to Him! Happy letter!
501 This World is not Conclusion
510 It was not Death, for I stood up
670 One need not be a Chamber – to be Haunted –
712 Because I could not stop for Death –
721 Behind Me – dips Eternity –
754 My Life had stood – a Loaded Gun –
986 A narrow Fellow in the Grass
1100 The last Night that She lived
1400 What mystery pervades a well!