AP English Literature- Learning about Poetry

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<p>I'm going to be taking AP English Literature next year and I'm currently panicking b/c a lot of the class is going to be focusing on poetry. The thing is, that's my worst thing from AP English Language. I was always really horrible at analyzing poetry b/c I couldn't understand the techniques. Is there anything I could buy or read online to tell me more about the various poetry techniques and various styles of poetry? Thanks in advance</p>

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<p>Here is an article on the many literary devices. It has a sample poem at the end, and a sample commentary essay. Although it is part of the I.B. English curriculum (which I am in), the content is pretty similar to AP curriculum.</p>

<p>Note: the essay at the end is a commentary, it talks about the literary features and how they make the poem more powerful. I think in the AP Exam, they give you what you should write about, rather than keeping it open. (which is actually easier, because you know what to look for.)</p>

<p><a href=“http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/IB_English/Commentary[/url]”>http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/IB_English/Commentary&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>[Commentary[/url</a>]</p>

<p>[url=&lt;a href=“http://orangecoat.livejournal.com/43689.html]“Night”&gt;http://orangecoat.livejournal.com/43689.html]"Night</a> Wind” by Christopher Dewdney](<a href=“http://www.patana.ac.th/secondary/english/ib/Paper%201/Example%20Answers/Paper1%20May03%20Higher%20Poetry%20Example%202.pdf]Commentary[/url”>http://www.patana.ac.th/secondary/english/ib/Paper%201/Example%20Answers/Paper1%20May03%20Higher%20Poetry%20Example%202.pdf)</p>

<p>These may also be some links you find useful. The latter is a poem, and the former is a commentary on the poem.</p>

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<p>Isn’t the point of working on it in class to help you get better at it? If you aren’t understanding something, talk to your teacher. That is why you have a teacher.</p>

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<p>What about the self-studiers?</p>

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<p>^^There are times when teachers don’t help you much and therefore, you have to rely on yourself.</p>

<p>For the OP, [Amazon.com:</a> Poetry: An Introduction (9780312450519): Michael Meyer: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Poetry-Introduction-Michael-Meyer/dp/0312450516/ref=rsl_mainw_dpl]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/Poetry-Introduction-Michael-Meyer/dp/0312450516/ref=rsl_mainw_dpl)</p>

<p>I believe this book will help you.</p>

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<p>Try doing sample passage Q/A’s from review books. Focus on the poetry passages. When you practice answering questions, you get into the habit of analyzing the passage for what you need.</p>

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<p>Just read a lot of poetry, and eventually you’ll catch onto it. That with practice questions will help you a lot</p>