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Section C of the AQA Paper 2 unseen poetry question asks you to compare the first poem (from Section B) with a second unseen poem. This is worth 8 marks and should take approximately 15–20 minutes. Many students find this the most challenging part of the exam, but with the right method, it becomes straightforward. This lesson teaches you how to compare poems effectively and efficiently.
The question will always follow this pattern:
"In both [Poem 1 title] and [Poem 2 title], the speakers describe [shared subject]. What are the similarities and/or differences between the ways the poets present [subject/feeling/idea]?"
| AO | Marks | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| AO2 | 8 | Analyse effects of language, form, and structure — comparing methods used in both poems |
Examiner's tip: 8 marks in 15–20 minutes is efficient. You need quality over quantity — 2–3 well-developed comparative paragraphs are enough.
The single most common mistake in Section C is writing one paragraph about Poem 1 and a separate paragraph about Poem 2 with no real comparison. This is called "writing in isolation" and it limits you to the lower mark bands.
| Approach | Mark band |
|---|---|
| Writes about each poem separately | Lower band (1–3 marks) |
| Makes some comparison but superficial | Mid band (4–5 marks) |
| Sustained, detailed comparison throughout | Upper band (6–8 marks) |
For every point you make, discuss both poems together. Use this structure:
Choose one aspect that you can discuss in both poems — a shared theme, technique, tone, or structural feature.
Provide a brief quotation and analysis from the first poem.
Immediately compare with the second poem, using a comparative connective.
Explain what the comparison reveals — how does the different/similar approach create a different/similar effect?
Use these words and phrases to signal comparison:
| Connective | Example |
|---|---|
| Similarly | "Similarly, the second poet uses nature imagery to..." |
| In the same way | "In the same way, Poem 2 presents loss through..." |
| Both poets | "Both poets use enjambment to create a sense of..." |
| Equally | "Equally, the speaker in Poem 2 conveys..." |
| This is echoed in | "This sense of isolation is echoed in Poem 2, where..." |
| Connective | Example |
|---|---|
| However | "However, while Poem 1 presents grief as quiet, Poem 2 presents it as violent." |
| In contrast | "In contrast, the second poet uses a regular rhyme scheme, suggesting..." |
| Whereas | "Whereas the speaker in Poem 1 is resigned, the speaker in Poem 2 is defiant." |
| On the other hand | "On the other hand, Poem 2 takes a markedly different approach..." |
| Unlike | "Unlike the first poem, which uses free verse, the second poem is a strict sonnet." |
| Conversely | "Conversely, the tone in Poem 2 shifts from anger to acceptance." |
Examiner's tip: The very best responses weave comparison into every sentence rather than using comparison as an afterthought. Practice embedding comparative connectives into your analysis naturally.
Poem 1 excerpt (about a parent):
I watched you shrink into the hospital gown, your body a map I could no longer read.
Poem 2 excerpt (about a parent):
My father filled the room — his laugh a weather system, his hands entire continents.
Both poets use extended body metaphors to characterise a parent, but to sharply contrasting effect. In Poem 1, the parent's body is "a map I could no longer read", suggesting that illness has rendered them unfamiliar — the speaker has lost the ability to understand or connect with the person they love. The verb "shrink" reinforces this sense of diminishment, and the image of the hospital gown strips the parent of individuality. In contrast, Poem 2 presents the father's body as vast and powerful: "his hands entire continents" and "his laugh a weather system" elevate him to a force of nature, filling the room with his presence. The difference is telling — Poem 1 captures the loss of a parent's presence through illness, while Poem 2 captures the overwhelming abundance of a parent's presence in memory. Both poems, however, share the fundamental idea that our parents' bodies are landscapes we map our emotional lives onto.
You have 15–20 minutes. Keep it focused:
| Stage | Time | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Read and annotate Poem 2 | 3 minutes | Read it 2–3 times. Note similarities and differences with Poem 1. |
| Plan | 2 minutes | Identify 2–3 points of comparison. |
| Write 2–3 comparative paragraphs | 10–12 minutes | Each paragraph should discuss both poems. |
| Brief conclusion (optional) | 1–2 minutes | A final evaluative sentence comparing overall effect. |
"Both poets explore [theme/idea] through [technique], yet their approaches differ significantly. In Poem 1, the poet uses [quotation] to [analysis], creating a sense of [effect]. However/Similarly, in Poem 2, the poet [quotation] to [analysis], producing a contrasting/complementary effect of [effect]. This difference/similarity suggests that while Poem 1 presents [interpretation], Poem 2 offers [interpretation]."
Draw this table in your exam booklet during planning:
| Feature | Poem 1 | Poem 2 | Similar or different? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tone | |||
| Key imagery | |||
| Form/structure | |||
| Speaker/voice | |||
| Overall message |
Fill it in quickly — it takes 2 minutes and gives you a clear plan.
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