ABSTRACT
In this chapter I shall take several well-known poems and encourage you to consider how you would prepare to speak these in an examination. This is closely focused work and demands that I deal with each poem in some detail. Don’t think of the points we are to consider as sets of rules to follow slavishly. My suggestions are to be treated flexibly. Their purpose is to help you: to help you to enjoy the meaning, form and tone of the poem and to help you communicate to your listeners your enjoyment and understanding of the poet’s intention in writing. Try not to think of your preparation as being ‘in order to pass the examination’; it has a broader purpose, which might be summed up as true enjoyment and effective communication. Eventually I hope that your communication will be more than effective; inspired would be the goal to aim for.
