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When writing an essay about your interpretation of, or response to, a poem, you should consider the points below.

Essay-writing tips

• Write a plan first, noting what you'll include in each paragraph.
• Begin with a brief overview of the poem.
• Go on to mention themes, form, structure, rhythm and language.
• Mention a range of views or perspectives.
• Compare the poem to another one.
• Mention any relevant details about the context of the poem.
• Conclude with a firm judgement about the poem.
• Support all you say with details or quotes from the poem.

Key words

A good approach to begin with is to highlight any key words which stand out for you. Make sure you use these key words in your essay.

Example question

How does Byron present the destructiveness of war in the poem The Destruction of Sennacherib?

Considerations

1. Overview: war - something which has happened throughout history, told in third-person narrative about ancient history but making timeless points.
2. Imagery: Assyrians shown as aggressors through images of their splendour and might, attacking a defenceless city (wolf/sheep simile) rhythm suggests the attacking horsemen.
3. Tables turned: the aggressors become the defeated, accomplished through the miracle of God’s power, natural imagery to describe their deaths.
4. Ongoing effects on the Assyrian people (the widows) and culture (the idols): human power no match for God’s.
5. Conclusion: what the poem suggests to the reader about war and aggression; personal response (who does the reader sympathise with?).

Some other essay questions to think about:

• How does Lord Byron build excitement and tension in the poem The Destruction of Sennacherib?
• Compare how both Lord Byron and one other writer uses poetry to comment on the effects of war.

More about planning an essay.