What is the best way to approach the analysis of language in poetry?

The best way to start with this kind of analysis, particularly with unseen poetry is to read through the poem carefully and get a general feel for how it makes YOU feel. Does it make you feel happy or sad? What impression to you think the poet is trying to convey to the reader? This will give you a good basis to begin your analysis of language as you know what types of words (e.g happy or sad) that you are looking out for. A good way to deal with language is to highlight certain words throughout the poem that really add to this feeling of the poem you have got. I would suggest annotating these words with images or feelings you associate them with, almost like playing a game of word association with yourself!For example, the word 'sun' could be associated with warmth, happiness, summer, life- the list goes on!Once you have done this try and work out what the associations you have come up with could mean in relation to the poem- ask yourself why you think that word in particular was used, what emotions or images does it create?For example, if you associate the word 'sun' with warmth, maybe the poet is suggesting that they feel warm and safe? Another good way to pick up marks when analysing language is to include some alternative explanations- maybe you associate the word 'sun' with warmth, but others might think of heat and fire, which can completely change the meaning of that particular line. By commenting on this, you demonstrate to the examiner that you have analysed this word in depth and are aware of the differing effects of language on different readers, which will get you better marks.