This 30-page essay builder is designed to help Leaving Certificate English students build a full poetry essay on Adrienne Rich step by step.

The resource focuses on the exam-style question:

“Adrienne Rich explores the twin themes of power and powerlessness in a variety of interesting ways.”

Students are guided through the question, key vocabulary, paragraph structure, linking phrases, poem-by-poem notes, and essay planning support. Each poem section includes a clear summary, key quotes, themes, style and tone, a question link, and lined space for students to write their own paragraph. The booklet also includes support for writing an introduction, conclusion, and final essay checklist.

Poems covered:

• Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers
• Uncle Speaks in the Drawing Room
• Power
• Storm Warnings
• Living in Sin
• The Roofwalker
• Trying to Talk with a Man
• From a Survivor

What is included:

• Introduction to Adrienne Rich
• Overview of Rich’s poetry and key concerns
• Exam question breakdown
• PCLM paragraph structure
• Synonyms bank
• Linking word bank
• Detailed notes on each poem
• Key quote explanations
• Themes and style notes
• Question links for each poem
• Paragraph writing space
• Sample paragraph for Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers
• Introduction and conclusion guidance
• Post-writing checklist
• End-of-essay checklist

This resource is especially useful for students who need help turning poetry notes into focused essay paragraphs. It is designed to make Rich’s poetry accessible while still supporting strong exam-style analysis.

Suitable for Leaving Certificate English poetry revision, essay preparation, classroom use, homework, independent study, or final exam revision.

Created using my own teaching notes and resources, with AI used to assist with images, icons and design elements.