What is the best way to approach unseen poetry (particularly AQA)?

Start by reading the poem through once and trying to gain an understanding of the general messages and possible meanings of the poem. It is then important to read the question and pick out the keywords (i.e. ‘how’, or ‘explain’) so that you understand exactly what you are being asked to do before rereading the poem. On the third time reading the poem, you will need to begin making notes being sure to keep the assessment objectives (AOs) in mind. My advice for doing this would be to use two different coloured pens, one for each AO. With the first, go through and highlight any relevant features of the poem that you think will help you to answer the question (AO1). It is important that when you do this, you consider features that cover language, form AND structure in order to reach the higher levels. For example, language features include things such as similes, metaphors, onomatopoeia, as well as any imagery that is created. Structure is inclusive of punctuation, any use of rhyme, as well as the poems tense and the narrative voice. Finally, form is comprised of any elements that are specific to poems, such as the use of stanzas.Once you have highlighted these features, you need to engage with AO2. Using the second colour pen begin analysing the features that you have selected. This could be done by explaining the connotations or use of a particular type of word (i.e. a verb or an adjective), or by explaining the effect that a particular piece of punctuation has on the meaning of the poem. You must use terminology here as well as explaining the effect that these elements of the poem have on the reader by talking about any emotions that the poem might evoke. Finally, after having gathered all of this information, you can form 3 or four points that when put together, form the basis for your essay.