POETRY QUESTION
2005-2006 PRACTICE EXAM
The poems below, published in 1789 and 1794, were written by William Blake in response to the condition of chimney sweeps. Usually small children, sweeps were forced inside chimneys to clean their interiors. Read the two poems carefully. Then, in a well-written essay, compare and contrast the two poems, taking into consideration the poetic techniques Blake uses in each.
Activity 6: Analyzing the Scoring Guide
As you examine the Scoring Guide, underline or highlight key words in each description.
9-8 These essays offer a persuasive comparison/contrast of the two poems and present an insightful analysis of the relationship between them. Although the students offer a range of interpretations and choose to emphasize different poetic techniques, these essays provide convincing readings of both poems and demonstrate consistent and effective control over the elements of composition in language appropriate to the analysis of poetry[1]. Their textual references are apt and specific. Though they may not be error-free, these essays are perceptive in their analysis and demonstrate writing that is clear and sophisticated, and, in the case of a 9 essay, especially persuasive.
7-6 These competent essays offer a reasonable comparison/contrast of the two poems and an effective analysis of the relationship between them. They are less thorough or less precise in their discussion of the themes and techniques, and their analysis of the relationship between the two poems is less convincing. These essays demonstrate the student’s ability to express ideas clearly with references to the text, although they do not exhibit the same level of effective writing as the 9-8 essays. While essays scored 7-6 are generally well written, those scored a 7 demonstrate more sophistication in both substance and style.[2]
5 These essays may respond to the assigned task with a plausible reading of the two poems and their relationship, but they...