Mastering the Art of Poetry: 11+ poetry analysis tips for success and beyond

At Fortis Education, we believe in the transformative power of poetry—not just as an academic exercise but as a means to develop critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and language mastery. These qualities are vital for success in 11+ and 13+ second-round assessments and interviews, where poetry analysis often plays a significant role.

This December, we’re hosting exclusive 11+ holiday courses in London and online, tailored to prepare students for these critical milestones. Whether you're looking for in-person or online options, our courses provide expert guidance in English comprehension, creative writing, poetry analysis, and interview preparation.

Introduction - 11+ poetry analysis tips

In this blog, we’ll explore why poetry is such a vital element of education and personal development. You'll learn how engaging with poetry can enhance critical thinking, emotional resilience, and language mastery. We’ll also share insights into how Fortis Education uses poetry to prepare students for academic challenges and personal growth.

Poetry Research - Key Findings:

Source: National Literacy Trust, October 2024

• More than half (51.2%) of children and young people don't currently engage in poetry in any way.
• Many of those who do engage are experiencing a positive impact on their mental wellbeing and personal development.
• There is a significant decline in interest among older children, with only 1 in 6 (17.3%) young people aged 14 to 16 engaging in their free time compared with 1 in 2 (48.7%) of those aged 8 to 11.
• Girls are also more likely to engage with poetry than boys are (29% vs 19.1%).
• Children and young people who don’t engage with poetry in any form identified the main reasons as finding poetry boring (41.2%) and feeling that poetry isn’t about topics they are interested in (31.8%).

Why Poetry Matters in Education? Evidence-based research

Enhanced Cognitive Skills:

Research from the University of Cambridge reveals that engaging with poetry activates both hemispheres of the brain, fostering creativity while improving analytical skills. The nuanced language of poetry sharpens comprehension and critical reasoning.

Emotional Wellbeing:

According to the Mental Health Foundation, poetry can serve as a form of bibliotherapy, helping readers process emotions, reduce stress, and build resilience. The rhythm and imagery of poetry act as a balm for mental health, especially in high-pressure times like school exams.

Improved Language Mastery:

The National Literacy Trust found that children exposed to poetry showed significant gains in vocabulary and language comprehension. Poetry's rich and layered language challenges readers to think deeply.

Cultural Connection:

Engaging with the works of literary greats—Shakespeare, Keats, Shelley, Auden—offers a connection to history and humanity. It provides a lens to understand societal values and heritage.

How Fortis Education Incorporates Poetry in 11+ Preparation

Poetry is a core element of our curriculum. Whether it’s preparing for challenging school entrance exams or enhancing literary appreciation knowing that most paths lead to the GCSE curriculum, we use poetry to unlock higher-order thinking skills. We learn the literary and poetic devices and then analyse their impact on the reader.  What is the effect of that simile?  What are the connotations of that verb?  Poetry encourages students to look beyond the obvious, interpret subtleties, and articulate insights—all essential for academic rigour and personal growth.

How to Respond to Poetry in an Interview?

So you’re in the interview, you’re handed a poem and asked to read it aloud and then respond.  Sometimes children are asked questions to help scaffold a response, and sometimes interviewers like to invite an open floor - “What do you think?”  First perhaps at a loss and then a torrent of tangled thoughts cascade…I think I understood some of it, now to put it into words, I noticed some literary devices but oh what about rhyme scheme - was there one? I noticed some other literary devices, must remember to use the word stanzas, ummm what perspective is it written in?  All of this, and more, in a matter of seconds run through the mind and a garble of disjointed thoughts often tumble haphazardly, at awkward angles.

Feeling overwhelmed by poetry analysis? Try this simple checklist:

Work through poetry responses in a linear fashion - a checklist, if you will, of elements to consider to structure your thoughts.

Poetry analysis checklist

• Summarise content - in chronological order what happens in the poem.
• What can you infer about the title?  Is it direct or symbolic, why?       
• What is the form? What does it look like? 
• Remember Form: Refers to the overall framework or design of a poem. It includes the type or style of the poem, such as a sonnet, haiku, free verse, ode, or ballad. The form dictates key features like rhyme schemes, meter, line length, and stanza arrangement. Is it free verse, quatrains, irregular or regular stanza length and why?  
• What is the structure? How does this impact the reader?
• Remember Structure: Refers to the way a poem is organised and arranged   internally, such as how ideas, lines, and stanzas are ordered. It deals with the  progression of thought, shifts in tone, line breaks, punctuation, and spacing.  Structure reflects how the poem flows and develops its themes.
• Is there a rhyme scheme?  What is the effect?
• Is it in free verse or stanzas? What effect does this have?
• Whose point of view is the poem written from? What effect does this have? Is it 1st, 2nd or 3rd person?
• What are the literary devices used? Similes/metaphors/personification/alliteration/juxtaposition/ oxymoron/pathetic fallacy/ imagery/ direct speech/ sibilance/ triplets/ verbs/ adverbs/ adjectives/ word choice and the connotations of those words.
• Poetic devices such as enjambment, anaphora, epistrophe, caesura
• What themes are there in the poem and how do these alter the mood of the poem?
• What is the tone/ atmosphere of the poem? Positive/negative- happy/sad/angry/reminiscent/ regret/ excitement/ hope.
• What is your overall opinion of the poem? How would readers generally respond to it and why?

Join our FREE Fortis Education Poetry Club for our next masterclass to limber up

and stretch these skills:  www.fortiseducation.co.uk/poetry

FAQ

• What types of questions are commonly asked in the 11+ interview?In the 11+ interview, students are often asked open-ended questions designed to assess their critical thinking and interpretive skills. These may include:
• How can parents help their child practice for the interview at home?Parents can support their children by encouraging regular practice with poems and discussion topics. Here’s how:
• What makes a strong and confident interview performance?A strong performance is characterised by clear communication, structured responses, and the ability to think critically under pressure.  Be yourself - no saccharine version.

What Students Say About Our Poetry Sessions

At the last poetry session in November, every child was from a top London day school and each said that their understanding of poetry has increased.  One Year 7 child said “I wish I’d known this last year before the 11+”. 

Join us for our next free poetry session on 14 December 2024, 10:00–11:00 am GMT, and experience the difference for yourself.

Enrich Your Child’s Education with Fortis Education

We hope you enjoyed this blog on 11+ poetry analysis tips. Poetry is more than an academic tool—it’s a journey into self-awareness, creativity, and connection. Whether your child is preparing for entrance exams or simply looking to explore the beauty of language, poetry offers endless rewards.

If you’d like to connect to request or share recommendations, we’d love to hear from you.  Let’s build a community! lisa@fortiseducation.co.uk

Ready to Get Started?

• Book our in-person 11+ English course in South Kensington: book here
• Sign up for our online 11+ Interview Masterclass: book here
• Join our free poetry club for Years 5 and 6: register now
• For a full list of all our upcoming Christmas courses click here
• For more blogs visit our website