When comparing poems, you should choose a poem that matches the poem you have been given thematically.
You can compare any of the poems from the anthology, though the poems should have some similarities for comparison.
Thesis statements help you to refine your argument and give you a point of reference to return to as you write.
Evidence should be selected judiciously - it is important to choose the quotation that best supports your argument.

Common misconception

Students might think that they can only compare two poems from the same thematic cluster within the anthology.

Students can compare any pair of poems as long as the poems have some similarities.

Keywords

Adversity - a challenge or difficulty one might face
Legacy - the remaining memory or impact a person leaves behind when they die
Judicious - exercising good judgement in a thoughtful and careful manner

It might be interesting to ask students if they can think of any other interesting combinations of poems from different clusters to compare for task A learning cycle 1.

Teacher tip

Equipment

A copy of the Eduqas poetry anthology is required for this lesson.

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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Worksheet

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.

Which of the following poems from the Eduqas poetry anthology are about war?

'Hawk Roosting'

Correct answer: 'Mametz Wood'

'Ozymandias'

'Valentine'

Q2.

Which of the following poems was written by Imtiaz Dharker?

'Hawk Roosting'

'Sonnet 43'

Correct answer: 'Living Space'

'Dulce et Decorum Est'

Q3.

Which of the following poems tells the story of a wife trying to help her husband recover from his physical and mental war wounds?

'A Wife in London'

Correct answer: 'The Manhunt'

'Hawk Roosting'

'Living Space'

Q4.

Which of the following poems has a non-human speaker?

'The Manhunt'

'A Wife in London'

Correct answer: 'Hawk Roosting'

'Living Space'

Q5.

Which poem is the following quotation from: "Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots,"

'The Manhunt'

'Ozymandias'

Correct answer: 'Dulce et Decorum Est'

'A Wife in London'

Q6.

Complete the quotation from Blake's 'London': "And the } Soldiers sigh/ Runs in blood down Palace walls".

Correct Answer: hapless

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.

What is a legacy?

a challenge or difficulty one might face

Correct answer: the remaining memory or impact a person leaves behind when they die

a judgement made in a thoughtful and careful manner

Q2.

Which poems in the Eduqas anthology explore the idea of legacy?

'Hawk Roosting'

Correct answer: 'Ozymandias'

'Living Space'

Correct answer: 'The Soldier'

Q3.

Which poem might you pair with 'Valentine' if you were writing about the reality of relationships?

'She Walks in Beauty'

'Sonnet 43'

Correct answer: 'Cozy Apologia'

'As Imperceptibly as Grief'

Q4.

Which of the following criteria makes for strong evidence?

detailed

Correct answer: judiciously-selected

Correct answer: precise

paraphrased

Correct answer: accurate

Q5.

Why wouldn't we choose this quotation for evidence: "But most thro' midnight streets I hear/How the youthful Harlots curse/Blasts the new-born Infants tear"?

It is too short

Correct answer: It is too long

It hasn't been embedded

It is not an accurate quotation

Q6.

Why can it be helpful to write your thesis statement before you start writing your full analytical response?

Your thesis changes as you write your response.

Your thesis forms the start of every paragraph - you recycle the same sentence.

Correct answer: Your thesis outlines what you will be illustrating or proving in your essay.

Correct answer: Your thesis is a great point of reference to keep returning to as you write.