1. Valentine By Carol Ann Duffy

2. Tone / Sounds • The author is trying to be honest, an onion shows how love can cause emotion just as an onion can make you cry "Not a red rose or a satin heart" alliteration The very first line has a negative tone

3. "I give you an onion." "take it" "here" • These words could symbolise the harsh reality of love • This can also show that love is about giving and taking  Carol Ann uses forceful words and phrases • Duffy uses short lines to emphasise the emotional plea: you can almost hear the speakers voice as they offer their gift. 

4. Structure

5. Duffy cleverly structures lines  • "Not a red rose or satin heart"                        &"Not a cute card or kissogram" The word "NOT"  is stressed because it appears as the first word in each sentence, also it is the very first word in the poem Duffy adds impact to her point by repeating the structure of the lines -which are identical- and also by placing the lines on there on within the poem 

6. The poem is directed towards you with the use of the words "I" and "you"  This shows the naturalness of speech and also highlights that love and relationships have no order or pattern.  The poem is written in free verse, which shows there is no obvious rhythm or rhyme. 

7. Each stanza represents a layer of the onion.  Undressing the onion leads to the idea of overcoming challenges -in a relationship- to finally reveal the wedding ring hidden within the layers of onion. 

8. The structure of the poem is the way the poet chooses to set out the poem. This includes techniques such as rhythm, word or sentence patterns and the way the lines are laid out  The "satin hearts", "red roses" and "cute cards" are not acceptable to Duffy because each item is too original and sterotypical