S - State a strong case - write an introductory sentence or two addressing the question and clearly stating your argument.
T - Technique - Identify and explain in detail the writer's use of one significant technique.
E - Example - Provide a range of relevant evidence and supporting quotations
E - Effectiveness - Make a judgement about the effectiveness of the feature in conveying meaning and achieving the writers overall purpose
L - Make links to the other parts of the text, and go beyond the text to make links to the world, society, human nature. What insights have you gained?
‘Lament’ by Glenn Colquhoun
Question:
A lament is an expression of sadness. With close reference to the text, discuss the style used in the non-italicised section of the poem to convey this sadness.
Lament is very apparent and used effectively by the author in the non-italic parts of his poem. He uses similes to deepen his poem and the meaning to create the emotion of lament throughout the poem. “Or if the front door trembles like a lip”, “or if trees keep their shadows tightly to themselves”. These two similes used in the non-italicised both convey loneliness and sadness which creates an overall mood and style in the poem, particularly how these are placed at the start of the poem which sets the tone immediately and showcases lament. As the poem continues, the non-italicised tone changes, and he says “it does not matter if i am happy”, “it does not matter if I am sad”, “it does not matter if he is gone”. His repetitive use of “it does not matter” and disregard to emotion contributes to the lament feeling of the poem. He uses these techniques like similes and repetition to incorporate into the style of his poem, and purposeful choice of font and non-italicisation in certain parts of the poem to highlight the differences, take on different tones and displays of sadness within his poem. This is effective as it drives home the sadness and laments felt by the author in relation to his friend dying which we gather from reading his poem. It can tug at the audience's emotions and help them relate to his loneliness and numbness as a result of someone close passing. This is a sadly common topic that has a wide audience able to relate and connect with by reading the poem and understanding his expression of sadness and coping, through personal experience.
