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How to Write Poetry Essays & Understand the Mark Scheme (AQA GCSE Literature)

Subject: English

Age range: 14-16

Resource type: Assessment and revision

Last updated

27 October 2024

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For students taking GCSE in Literature, the absolute best way to ensure a high grade is to understand how the mark scheme works. This page will give you a breakdown of everything you need to know so that you can what examiners are looking for in plain language. You then need to make sure each essay you write contains all this stuff!

Teaching or studying AQA Power + Conflict Poetry? Have a resource on us! Download our Ozymandias Study Guide here!

View our full AQA POWER + CONFLICT POETRY BUNDLE here!

Teaching or studying the whole WJEC collection? Have a resource on us! Download Duffy’s ‘Valentine’ for free here!

View our full WJEC GCSE POETRY BUNDLE here.

Teaching or studying the full Cambridge A Level Literature course? Take a look at our CAMBRIDGE A LEVEL POETRY BUNDLE here.

Teaching or studying the Edexcel IGCSE Literature course? Take a look at our EDEXCEL IGCSE POETRY BUNDLE here.

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A bundle is a package of resources grouped together to teach a particular topic, or a series of lessons, in one place.

AQA POWER AND CONFLICT POETRY REVISION MEGA-PACK! (Digital + Printable PDFs, PPTs, Worksheets + More!)

This bundle contains a set of 20 comprehensive study guides which provide a detailed analysis of AQA Power and Conflict Poetry. They are tailored towards helping students achieve the very highest grades in essays. Example mid and top grade answers, and a mark scheme breakdown are also provided! **Currently available at a 50% discount! Teaching or studying AQA Power + Conflict Poetry? Have a resource on us! Download [our Ozymandias Study Guide](https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13140286) here! Download [AQA Power and Conflict Cluster Anthology List](https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13140410) here! POEMS INCLUDED IN THE BUNDLE: 'Bayonet Charge' 'Charge of the Light Brigade' 'London' 'Ozymandias' 'Poppies' 'Remains' 'Storm on the Island' 'The Émigrée' 'War Photographer' Extract from 'The Prelude' 'My Last Duchess' 'Kamikaze' 'Checking Out Me History' 'Tissue' 'Exposure' BONUS MATERIAL: Storm on the Island: Essay Planning War Photographer + Exposure L9 / A* Grade Comparative Essay Example Bayonet Charge + Charge of the Light Brigade L6 / B Grade Comparative Essay Example + Feedback London + Checking Out Me History L7/L8 - A/A* Grade Essay + Feedback Ozymandias + Power L7/A Grade Essay Example + Feedback Each poem in the analysis contains digital + printable + PPT + worksheet resource and includes: VOCABULARY STORY + SUMMARY SPEAKER + VOICE LANGUAGE FEATURE ANALYSIS FORM + STRUCTURE ANALYSIS CONTEXT ATTITUDES + MESSAGES THEMES + DEEPER IDEAS KEY QUOTATIONS EXTRA TASKS COMPREHENSION EXERCISES POSSIBLE ESSAY QUESTIONS View our [full WJEC GCSE POETRY BUNDLE ](https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-12770335) here. Teaching or studying the full Cambridge A Level Literature course? Take a look at our [CAMBRIDGE A LEVEL POETRY BUNDLE](http://https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/cie-cambridge-a-level-poetry-for-2023-bundle-part-1-12735444) here. Teaching or studying the Edexcel IGCSE Literature course? Take a look at our [EDEXCEL IGCSE POETRY BUNDLE](http://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/the-complete-edexcel-igcse-poetry-bundle-12770306) here. Please review our content! We always value feedback and are looking for ways to improve our resources, so all reviews are more than welcome. View our [SHOP for other literature and language resources](https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/Scrbbly)!

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How to Write an Essay Comparing Poems

This is Revision World’s guide on how to write an essay or answer an exam question that asks you to compare poems within the poetry anthology you are studying.

Understanding the Task:

Identify the Key Components: Ensure you understand the task requirements, including the poems you're comparing, the themes, and the aspects you need to analyse (e.g., structure, language, tone).

Pre-Writing Stage:

Read and Annotate: Read the poems multiple times, annotating key themes, literary devices, and interesting observations.

Identify Similarities and Differences: Note down similarities and differences in themes, imagery, language, structure, and tone between the two poems.

Structuring Your Essay:

 Introduction:

Introduce the poems and poets, providing context if necessary.

Present your thesis statement, outlining the main points of comparison.

Body Paragraphs:

Topic Sentences: Start each paragraph with a clear topic sentence that states the aspect of comparison.

Comparison: Analyse each poem separately, focusing on the chosen aspect (e.g., theme, structure). Then, compare and contrast the same aspect in both poems.

Use of Evidence: Provide evidence from the poems to support your analysis (quotations).

Analysis: Interpret the significance of the similarities and differences, considering their effects on the reader and the overall meaning of the poems.

Conclusion:

Summarise your main points of comparison.

Reflect on the significance of the comparisons and their implications for the reader.

Offer insights into the broader themes or messages conveyed by the poems.

Writing Tips:

Be Specific: Avoid vague statements and ensure your comparisons are specific and well-supported by evidence.

Consider Poetic Devices: Analyse the poets' use of poetic devices (e.g., imagery, symbolism, metaphor) and how they contribute to the overall effect of the poems.

Focus on Key Themes: Choose a few key themes or aspects to compare rather than attempting to cover everything in the poems.

Maintain Coherence: Ensure your essay flows logically, with clear transitions between paragraphs and ideas.

Proofread: Carefully proofread your essay for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.

Example Statement:

"In 'Poem A' and 'Poem B,' both poets utilise imagery and symbolism to explore the theme of loss, but while 'Poem A' uses natural imagery to convey a sense of grief and acceptance, 'Poem B' employs religious symbolism to depict a more existential struggle with loss and faith."

Example Topic Sentences:

"In 'Poem A,' the poet employs vivid natural imagery to convey the speaker's emotional response to loss."

"Conversely, 'Poem B' utilises religious symbolism to explore the theme of loss in a more abstract and existential manner."

By following these steps and incorporating these tips, you can effectively write a well-structured and insightful essay comparing two poems in your GCSE English Literature exam.

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English Literature

Easy Guide: Top Marks in AQA Poetry Essays and Unseen Poems for GCSE

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A comprehensive guide on how to write a top mark AQA poetry essay for GCSE English Literature. It covers essay planning, structure, and writing techniques for both poetry anthology and unseen poetry questions. The guide breaks down exam expectations, marking criteria, and provides detailed examples to help students achieve high grades.

Exam Overview and Marking Criteria

This section provides an overview of the AQA GCSE English Literature exam structure and marking criteria for poetry essays.

The AQA GCSE English Literature exam consists of two papers:

• Paper 1 (1 hour 45 minutes): Shakespeare & 19th century novel
• Paper 2 (2 hours 15 minutes): Modern prose/drama, poetry anthology & unseen poetry

Essays are marked based on the following assessment objectives:

• AO1: Basic writing style (use of quotations and terminology)
• AO2: Analysis
• AO3: Context
• AO4: Spelling, punctuation and grammar (4 marks only)

Highlight : Understanding the exam structure and marking criteria is crucial for effective essay preparation and achieving top marks.

The marking scheme provides detailed descriptions for each level of performance, from Level 1 (basic) to Level 6 (convincing, critical analysis). To achieve the highest marks, students should aim for:

• Critical, exploratory, and conceptualized responses
• Judicious use of precise references to support interpretations
• Insightful analysis of the writer's methods using subject terminology
• Exploration of effects created by the writer's methods
• Detailed links between context, text, and task

Example : A Level 6 response (26-30 marks) would demonstrate "a critical, exploratory, well-structured argument" with "fine-grained and insightful analysis of language, form, and structure."

Detailed Marking Criteria for Top Grades

This section expands on the marking criteria for the highest levels of performance in GCSE poetry essays .

Level 6 (Convincing, critical analysis and exploration) - 21-24 marks:

• Critical, exploratory conceptualized response to task and text
• Judicious use of precise references to support interpretation(s)
• Analysis of writer's methods with subject terminology used judiciously
• Exploration of effects of writer's methods to create meanings

Highlight : To achieve Level 6, students must demonstrate a conceptualized approach to the task, supported by a range of judicious references and insightful analysis.

Level 5 (Thoughtful, developed consideration) - 17-20 marks:

• Thoughtful, developed response to task and text
• Apt references integrated into interpretation(s)
• Examination of writer's methods with subject terminology used effectively
• Examination of effects of writer's methods to create meanings

Example : A Level 5 response might include a detailed examination of how a poet's use of metaphor creates a specific mood or atmosphere in the poem.

The guide emphasizes that to move from Level 5 to Level 6, students should start demonstrating elements of exploratory thought and analysis of the writer's methods.

Vocabulary : "Judicious" in this context means showing good judgment in the selection and use of evidence and analysis.

Comparative Essay Marking Criteria

This section focuses on the marking criteria for comparative poetry essays, which is crucial for the poetry comparison essay component of the GCSE English Literature exam.

Level 4 (7-8 marks):

• Exploratory comparison of writers' use of language, structure, and form with subject terminology used judiciously
• Convincing comparison of effects of writers' methods to create meanings

Level 3 (5-6 marks):

• Thoughtful comparison of writers' use of language and/or structure and/or form with subject terminology used effectively

Highlight : The key difference between Level 3 and Level 4 is the shift from "thoughtful" to "exploratory" comparison, with more judicious use of subject terminology.

Level 2 (3-4 marks):

• Relevant comparison of writers' use of language and/or structure and/or form with some relevant subject terminology

Definition : "Exploratory comparison" involves a more in-depth investigation of how different poets use literary techniques, going beyond surface-level observations.

To achieve top marks in comparative essays, students should aim to:

• Judiciously compare the poets' use of language, structure, and form
• Convincingly analyze the effects of these methods on the reader
• Use subject terminology accurately and effectively
• Make insightful connections between the poems

Example : A high-scoring comparative essay might explore how two poets use contrasting imagery to convey different perspectives on a shared theme, analyzing the impact of these choices on the reader's interpretation.

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