Writing a response
When you have settled on a suitable poem, you should note down a variety of links between the poems. The key thing to do when comparing poems is to note the points where they are similar and the points where they differ.
When writing an essay comparing your two poems you should consider the points below.
Essay-writing tips
A good approach to begin with is to highlight any key terms which stand out for you.
In the sample question the key term you must think about is ‘love in relationships’.
Make sure you use the key term or terms frequently throughout your essay.
Begin by introducing both poems, giving a brief overview of their main subject or message. Explain the relevant context of each poem, the feelings the poet expresses and how each poem can be connected to the theme of love in relationships. You MUST refer to the key term in your introduction.
Compare and contrast how the formSome poems adopt specific 'forms'. For example, they could be sonnets or narrative poems. Many don’t have an identifiable form. and structureThe way the poet has organised the poem on the page eg number of stanzas, lines per stanza, breaks in between lines and stanzas. of each poem highlights the poets’ attitude to love in relationships.
Compare and contrast how the language and imagery of each poem highlights the poets’ attitude to love in relationships.
End with a conclusion illustrating how each poem finally addresses the theme of love in relationships.
Your essay should be peppered with comparing words and phrases such as "similarly...", "in contrast to this…" and "this can also be seen in…".
For each point, you need to provide evidence in the form of a quotation or reference. You should attempt to link this - by explaining and analysing - to the key term of love in relationships. This may mean quoting a full line at times, but could also involve detailed analysis of one significant word.
Remember to include any relevant context on each poem in relation to the key term of love in relationships.
You will not get marks for context which is not linked directly to the question. For example, don’t simply write down everything you know about the poet if it is not relevant to the question.
If you were to compare Sonnet 130 with To His Coy Mistress by Andrew Marvell for example, you could use some of the following points:
- Both poems are written using a formal style.
- Both poems focus on the poets’ impression of their mistress, wife, lover or someone they admire.
- The speaker in To His Coy Mistress uses elaborate conceits to sway his love to respond to his advances - this was an appropriate device used by some 17th century poets.
- However, the speaker in Sonnet 130 mocks this use of conceit and hyperboleOver-the-top exaggeration for effect.. He employs litotesAn ironic figure of speech in which a negative statement is used to affirm a positive sentiment, such as 'not bad at all'. to present a more realistic image of his mistress. Shakespeare tried to mock the style of love poetry of his time.
- While both poems use the stereotypicalAn assumption based only on a general expectation. language of love, they do so with different outcomes. To His Coy Mistress speaks of spending “An hundred years” to “praise / Thine eyes” and “Two hundred to adore each breast”. Sonnet 130 claims his mistress’ “eyes are nothing like the sun” and “her breasts are dun”.
- To His Coy Mistress is a dramatic monologueA speech by a single person, speaking alone, often revealing something about their past or personality. while Sonnet 130 is a traditional Shakespearean sonnetA fourteen-line poem, usually with ten syllables in each line..
When writing about these similarities and differences, you should discuss the methods used by the poets.
Look at the earlier sections on themes, language, form and structure to get ideas.
