Centre
Name
Text
READING
Mintlaw Academy
Folio
“Mid-Term Break”

Critical Response
Poetry

Author
Prose
Seamus Heaney

Imaginative Response

Drama
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
Media
Task
By referring in detail to the poem “Mid-Term Break” by Seamus
Heaney, show how the author uses language to create a vivid impression
of a childhood memory. Explain how the poet’s effective use of
technique helps him to explore the major themes of the poem.
First Draft:
Skill Demonstrated – My Evaluation Targets
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Foundation
General
Credit
Show Knowledge of Text
Provide Analysis of Main Concerns
Show Personal Insight/Reaction
Show Awareness of Technique/Genre
Use Critical Language
Use Quotations
Write Accurately
Redraft:



Done Well
Could Improve
Final Grade for Redraft
My Targets:
My Targets:
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
SECTION 2 – SUMMARY OF POEM
Summary
Consider the following:
The vivid description Give a brief outline of the events,
situations and feelings put across in
each verse.
Think about:
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





The poetic persona
The father
Big Jim Evans
The baby
The mother
The strangers




What are we told about the way
different characters deal with
bereavement during the poem?
What are the most vivid images in
the poem?
What are the key turning points
during the poem?
How does the mood of the poem
develop?
What happens at the end of the
poem – the climax?
Possible opening/topic sentence:
The main events and situations described in the poem are very
important in helping the writer to develop his main themes.
In order to develop this paragraph, you may wish to copy and complete the
sentences below, using your own words. Include as much detail as possible. The
shaded area above reminds you of some of the key points to include.
 The poem is set ...
 The events are based around ...
 The atmosphere and mood of the different parts of the poem
include …
 The main events are ...
 Some of the most memorable images in the poem are ...
 At the end of the poem ...
2
SECTION 3 – IMAGERY AND POETRY TECHNIQUES
 In order to develop this paragraph, you may wish to copy and
complete the sentences in the table on the next page. You should
include as much detail as possible.
 The shaded areas below remind you of some of the key points and
words to include. Remember to use your jotter notes to support
you.
 Use a combination of your own words and quotations from the
poem as evidence and examples to support your comments.
Main Techniques Used:
Symbolism
Rhythm
Colloquial Language
Euphemism
Antithesis
Word Choice
Metaphor
First Person Narrator
Imagery
Simile
Alliteration
Transferred Epithet
Poetic Persona
Main Effects Created:
Tension
Anticipation
Drama
Vivid Images
Excitement
Mood
Suspense
Atmosphere
3
Sentence describing the
techniques:
Sentence explaining the
effects/impact created using
evidence/examples from the
story:
 A technique used to create a
sense of anticipation at the
beginning of the poem is …
 I know this because …
 The poet also uses the
technique of ...
 An example of this is ...
 Furthermore the writer uses
lots of descriptive detail in
order to …
 For example …
 An aspect of the technique
which I thought was most
effective was …
 I was particularly impressed
by this because …
 The techniques made me
think more carefully about
the theme(s) of
.
because ...
 This theme was revealed
when ...
 The effect of this technique
is …
 The impact of this technique
is …
 This techniques was
effective because …
4
SECTION 4 – THEMES
Some of the Themes:
Childhood Experiences
Compassion
Death
Grief
Coping with Bereavement
Consolation
Loss
Anger
Confusion
 In order to develop this paragraph, you may wish to copy and
complete the sentences below. You should include as much detail
as possible.
 The shaded areas remind you of some of the key points and
words to include.
 Use a combination of your own words and quotations from the
poem as evidence and examples to support your comments.
Sentence describing
theme:
Sentence giving evidence from
the story:
 One of the main themes of
the poem is …
 An event in the narrative
which illustrates this theme
is …
 Another main theme is ...
 This theme is shown when ...
5
Sentence describing
theme:
Sentence giving evidence from
the story:
 Moreover, the poem deals
with the theme of …
 This theme is revealed
when…
 In particular, a theme which
interested me was ...
 The poet brought this theme
to my attention in the
episode when ...
 Finally, the theme which
made me think more
carefully about an issue
was ...
 I thought this theme was
particularly thoughtprovoking because ...
SECTION 5 – CONCLUSION
Write a personal conclusion to your essay in which you respond
to the following questions: How has reading this poem influenced your opinion about each of
the following themes:
Childhood Experiences
Bereavement
Consolation
 Which aspects of the poem did you find the most moving?
 Would you recommend this poem to another reader? Who would
you
recommend the poem to and why?
6
7