IB English A Lit Topic Structure in Poems Revision Notes (SL/HL)

IB English A Lit Topic Structure in Poems Revision Notes (SL/HL) | RevisionDojo

Written by official IB examiners

Structural Techniques Unique to Poetry

In poetry, structure is basically the way the poem is built
You wanna keep an eye out for things like:
1. Enjambment (when the line runs on without punctuation)
2. Volta (a turning point or shift in mood/idea)
3. Refrains (repeated lines or phrases)
4. And even classic forms like sonnets
All of these are kind of like signals, they usually match some kind of change in feeling, theme, or voice.

Key Structural Elements

Stanza Length

Think of a stanza as a paragraph in a poem.
Most of the time, it’s not worth analyzing unless something stands out.
Here’s when to pay attention:

Short Stanza Length

A short stanza (e.g., 1 to 2 lines) often creates emphasis or disruption.

Example

In “Belfast Confetti” by Ciaran Carson, the long, chaotic second stanza runs on without pause, and a short, shocked question surfaces in the middle of it:
“Why can’t I escape?” The question is not set off by a stanza break, it breaks in mid-line, so the panic interrupts the rush rather than pausing after it.

Note

Analysis advice:

Can signal emotional impact, hesitation, or finality.
If the entire poem uses short stanzas, it might reflect rigid control, mechanisation, or ritual depending on the poem’s subject.

Long Stanza Length

A single long stanza often creates a sense of flow or uninterrupted thought.

Example

Poem: Song of Myself by Walt Whitman
Stanza: the opening section, a single unbroken stanza, given here in part.
- I celebrate myself, and sing myself,
  And what I assume you shall assume,
  For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.
  I loafe and invite my soul,
  I lean and loafe at my ease observing a spear of summer grass.

Note

Analysis Advice:

May reflect mental immersion, obsession, or urgency.
Could suggest the speaker’s thoughts are tumbling out without pause.

Line Length

Line length can slow down or speed up pace, and therefore affect tone or mood.

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Definition

Paywall

(on a website) an arrangement whereby access is restricted to users who have paid to subscribe to the site.

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Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

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Note

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Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

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Tip

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum.

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Structural Techniques Unique to Poetry

In poetry, structure is basically the way the poem is built
You wanna keep an eye out for things like:
1. Enjambment (when the line runs on without punctuation)
2. Volta (a turning point or shift in mood/idea)
3. Refrains (repeated lines or phrases)
4. And even classic forms like sonnets
All of these are kind of like signals, they usually match some kind of change in feeling, theme, or voice.

Key Structural Elements

Stanza Length

Think of a stanza as a paragraph in a poem.
Most of the time, it’s not worth analyzing unless something stands out.
Here’s when to pay attention:

Short Stanza Length

A short stanza (e.g., 1 to 2 lines) often creates emphasis or disruption.

Example

In “Belfast Confetti” by Ciaran Carson, the long, chaotic second stanza runs on without pause, and a short, shocked question surfaces in the middle of it:
“Why can’t I escape?” The question is not set off by a stanza break, it breaks in mid-line, so the panic interrupts the rush rather than pausing after it.

Note

Analysis advice:

Can signal emotional impact, hesitation, or finality.
If the entire poem uses short stanzas, it might reflect rigid control, mechanisation, or ritual depending on the poem’s subject.

Long Stanza Length

A single long stanza often creates a sense of flow or uninterrupted thought.

Example

Poem: Song of Myself by Walt Whitman
Stanza: the opening section, a single unbroken stanza, given here in part.
- I celebrate myself, and sing myself,
  And what I assume you shall assume,
  For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.
  I loafe and invite my soul,
  I lean and loafe at my ease observing a spear of summer grass.

Note

Analysis Advice:

May reflect mental immersion, obsession, or urgency.
Could suggest the speaker’s thoughts are tumbling out without pause.

Line Length

Line length can slow down or speed up pace, and therefore affect tone or mood.

Definition

Paywall

(on a website) an arrangement whereby access is restricted to users who have paid to subscribe to the site.

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Note

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam quis nostrud exercitation.

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Tip

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum.

Everything You Need to Know About Analysis5 subtopics

Paper 1 Lit4 subtopics

Paper 2 Lit4 subtopics

Individual Oral (IO)4 subtopics

Higher Level Essay (HLE)3 subtopics

IB English A Lit Structure in Poems Notes

Everything You Need to Know About Analysis5 subtopics

Paper 1 Lit4 subtopics

Paper 2 Lit4 subtopics

Individual Oral (IO)4 subtopics

Higher Level Essay (HLE)3 subtopics

Structural Techniques Unique to Poetry

Key Structural Elements

Stanza Length

Short Stanza Length

Long Stanza Length

Line Length

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account

Structural Techniques Unique to Poetry

Key Structural Elements

Stanza Length

Short Stanza Length

Long Stanza Length

Line Length

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account