A panegyric poem is composed to

1. Analyze the question The question asks about the purpose of a panegyric poem. This is a literary terms question, so the key is knowing what the word means.

2. Explain the concept A panegyric is a poem or speech of high praise, written to honour a person, group, or achievement. The word comes from the Greek panegyrikos, meaning a public speech of praise at a gathering.

Panegyrics are common in African oral tradition:

• Oriki (Yoruba praise poetry) praises individuals, families, and towns.
• Igbo praise names and songs celebrate warriors, titled men, and achievers.
• Hausa praise songs are sung for emirs and leaders.

3. Solution: test each option

• A. Condemn: Wrong. Condemning belongs to a satire or lampoon.
• B. Elaborate: Wrong. This is not the purpose of any specific poetic type.
• C. Abuse: Wrong. Abuse is the opposite of what a panegyric does. A lampoon or invective abuses.
• D. Praise: Correct. A panegyric exists to praise and glorify its subject.

4. Answer The correct option is D. praise.

5. Exam tip Match the literary term with its purpose:

• Panegyric → Praise (both start with P)
• Satire / Lampoon → ridicule or criticise
• Elegy / Dirge → mourn the dead
• Epithalamium → celebrate a wedding