1. Comparing Poems.
1. Content – What they are about. 2. The ideas in the poems – what the poet is saying. 3. The mood and atmosphere of the poem. 4. How they are written – stylistic choices. 5. Your response – what you think.

2. Content
This section requires you to write what the poems are about. The poems on past papers have been about homelessness, living for today, unrequited love and parenthood.
A. Introduce the first poem and state the name of the poet.
Briefly describe what the poem is about.
B. Repeat this for poem B.
C. Compare and contrast poems A and B. They will be on roughly the same subjects but will present a slightly different viewpoint.

3. 2. Ideas
Think about the themes (the ideas) the poet explores in the poem. What do you think the poem is really about?
A. Write what you think is the message the poet is trying to say. Why did he/she write the poem? What are the main themes running through it?
B. Repeat the above for poem B.
C. Compare and contrast poems A and B. How do the poets deal with the same idea or ideas?

4. 3. Mood and Atmosphere
The mood and atmosphere are linked to the ‘voice’ of the poem. The voice is the person speaking in the poem – it may be in the third or the first person.
For poem A think about:
the poet’s choice of words
who is speaking in the poem
the imagery used
the rhyme and rhythm patterns established
the length of the lines
the sound effects created through alliteration and onomatopoeia
B. Repeat this for poem B.
C. You’ve guessed it…compare and contrast!

5. 4. Words and Phrases.
What stylistic features has the poet used to make the poems appeal to the reader? Don’t just point them out – state what effect they have on you as a reader.
A. For poem A look at:
Are metaphors, similes or personification used to explain ideas?
Does the choice of words the poet has chosen help us share the poet’s feelings?
Does the poet uses certain words to trigger how we think about the poem?
Check for the use of personification and symbolism and judge their effectiveness.
B. Repeat this for poem B
C. And once again you compare and contrast.

6. 5. Your Response.
This is your opportunity to say what you thought of the poems. Be honest…but not too honest!
A. Sum up your feelings about poem A. Be specific and give reasons supported by quotes.
B. Repeat the process for poem B.
C. Say which poem you preferred and say why.

7. Finally – Check Your Work!
Have you used quotes from the poem to back up your ideas? Don’t use the same words as appear in the quotations – try to vary vocabulary and interpret the poet’s words.
Have you used quotation marks where they are needed?
Have you covered the five main points as outlined on the paper?