How To Get Full Marks (Edexcel GCSE English Literature)
Revision Note
Written by: Kate Lee
Reviewed by: Jenna Quinn
How To Get Full Marks
Regardless of which poetry anthology you are studying as part of the Edexcel GCSE English Literature exam, the type of question set in Section B part (a) will always be the same. You will be asked a question that asks you to compare and analyse two anthology poems. Your answer will need to address both the given (printed) poem and another poem of your choice from the anthology. It is tempting to jump straight in and start writing immediately. However, following this guide will ensure you answer the question in the way the examiners are looking for.
Below you will find sections on:
What skills are required
Steps for success
What skills are required
Some questions on your exam paper have a dominant assessment objective. For Section B part (a) the main assessment objectives are AO2 and AO3. AO2 requires you to analyse the ways in which the poets use language, form and structure to shape meanings. AO3 requires you to show an understanding of the relationships between the poems and the context in which they were written.
The following sections explore the skills required for two of these AOs in more detail:
Language, form and structure (AO2) - 75%
Context (AO3) - 25%
Language, form and structure (AO2)
Much more important than knowing a long list of poetic techniques, or analysing a poem’s language, form and structure separately, is to understand the meaning of each of the anthology poems and the ideas the poets explore in their poems. A critical analysis goes beyond just spotting elements of language, form and structure, although these can be used as a springboard for explaining the impact of the choices the poets have made.
Analysing Form
The form of the poem can be thought of as its “genre”. Poetry itself is a form of text, as are prose and drama. WIthin the form of poetry, there are many subforms. Some of the main forms of poetry are detailed below:
Form | Explanation |
Sonnet |
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Epic |
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Free verse |
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Villanelle |
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Ode |
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Ballad |
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When writing about form in poetry, it is important to consider why the poet has chosen that particular form, and especially if they have altered the rules of that particular form and why. It is also useful to consider how the form reflects the themes of the poems.
Let’s take a look at an example below. The following poem is ‘A Complaint’ by William Wordsworth and is from the Relationships Anthology:
‘A Complaint’ | Comments about the form of the poem |
There is a change—and I am poor; Your love hath been, nor long ago, A fountain at my fond heart's door, Whose only business was to flow; And flow it did; not taking heed Of its own bounty, or my need.
What happy moments did I count! Blest was I then all bliss above! Now, for that consecrated fount Of murmuring, sparkling, living love, What have I? shall I dare to tell? A comfortless and hidden well.
A well of love—it may be deep— I trust it is,—and never dry: What matter? if the waters sleep In silence and obscurity. —Such change, and at the very door Of my fond heart, hath made me poor. |
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The examiner is looking for you to comment on how the poets use their chosen form for effect. Throughout your response you should aim to add your own interpretations and ensure that all of your points are fully developed. Below is an example of how to apply this in your response:
Question focus | Analysis of form |
Explore how Wordsworth conveys ideas of loss and acceptance in ‘A Complaint’. | The poem’s form conveys ideas linked to loss and acceptance as it reflects an individual who speaks intimately to a lost loved one. The poem consists of three stanzas of sestets and this is used to divide the speaker’s reflections as they compare their life with love and without it. Wordsworth shows that the speaker is unable to come to terms with the changes brought by the end of the relationship. The regular form indicates a speaker who is attempting to discipline their thoughts despite strong emotions as they reflect on their loss. Wordsworth also ends the poem as it begins, with the speaker by a pond on a winter’s day. The cyclical structure represents the unresolved feelings of the speaker after their reflection. Further the use of first-person creates an intimate tone and reinforces the close bond shared. |
Analysing structure
Analysing structure can seem very demanding, but it simply involves examining thе structural choices made by the poet and thеir impact on the poem. You can effectively analyse how structural devices contribute to the overall meaning of a poem by understanding the many types of structural devices and their purposes.
While the examiner will expect you to use relevant subject terminology to support your views, this does not mean that you will secure more marks for demonstrating a wide knowledge of structural terms. It is much more important that you clearly articulate the poets’ intended effects than show off with technical poetic terminology.
We will now explore some structural comments that you might choose to make using the same poem above.
Structural technique(s) | Quote from the text | Intended effect on the reader |
Regular iambic tetrameter ABABCC rhyme scheme |
“There is a change— and I am poor”, “What have I? shall I dare to tell?” | The structure of the poem indicates that the speaker attempts to control their emotions, yet a melancholic and resigned tone with outbursts of emotion present an individual’s deep feelings of love and loss. The poem’s rhythm is in a regular iambic tetrameter and this creates, generally, shorter sentences which reflect a sad, resigned voice. For example, this is evidenced in the line “There is a change— and I am poor”. Each stanza of the poem follows an ABABCC rhyme scheme which creates a repetitive rhythm. This is suggestive of repeated similarly painful reflections and conversations. |
Analysing Language
It is also important that you are familiar with key literary terms that can help to support your analysis of the text. While the examiner will expect you to use relevant subject terminology to support your views, this does not mean that you will secure more marks for demonstrating a wide understanding of literary terms. It is much more important that you clearly articulate the intended effects of any terms that you use.
Analysing language means that you consider the deliberate choices the poet has made to include specific words or phrases in their poems and why. As an example, we will explore some specific literary techniques and consider Wordworth’s intentions using the same poem:
Language technique(s) | Example | Wordsworth’s intentions |
Alliteration Assonance |
“fountain” and “fond” “blest” and “bliss” | The poem speaks about the benefits of a relationship and the many riches love can bring. Wordsworth uses alliteration to place emphasis to the joy inherent in the relationship through the words “fountain”, “fond” and creates a similar effect using assonance in the words “blest” and “bliss”. The words “blest” and “bliss” convey the sense of happiness and contentment experienced by the speaker, while “fountain” and “fond” underscore their emotional attachment. |
Examiner Tips and Tricks
The best way to structure your essay around the poet’s meaning and ideas is to know your anthology - and each of the poems it contains - thoroughly. Use your revision time to fully understand each of the poems. Also consider what each poet is trying to say about the specific theme of relationships, conflict, time and place or belonging.
Context (AO3)
It is important to keep in mind that the Poetry Anthology question has a maximum of five marks available for context. In order to achieve all five of these marks, you must integrate contextual comments throughout your response.
It is important that your approach to context illustrates how the ideas in the poems reflect or challenge social, political or historical perceptions.
As an example, we will explore Wordworth’s poem ‘A Complaint’ and consider contextual points which could be included in your response to this poem.
How Wordsworth conveys ideas of love | |
AO3: Context | 'A Complaint' is an introspective poem that examines the speaker's inner world, which is typical of Romantic poetry. Wordsworth is synonymous with Romantic poetry and he uses the language of the average person rather than the heightened sophistication of traditional poetry to explore the realities of love. For example, Wordsworth uses simple imagery, such as doors, to symbolise love entering and leaving his life and simple language, such as “fond heart”. Nevertheless, the unresolved ending deviates from conventional Romantic poetry, which usually offers a solution or epiphany. In this poem the epiphany comes, but it is a tragic one. The speaker repeats how “poor” they feel and the poem ends as it begins: bereft. |
Examiner Tips and Tricks
It is important to remember the way in which texts are received and engaged with by different readers, at different times. When you consider context, you may wish to consider the similarities or differences within social and cultural contexts or the literary context of the novel, such as literary movements or genres. The historical setting, time and location of the text can also be significant and could form part of your response.
Comparing both poems
While the coverage of your two poems does not need to be equally weighted in your response, the second poem should have substantial treatment. Responses that are considerably unbalanced will not be able to access Level 3, where an explanation of the poets’ ideas and perspectives is required alongside developed comparisons between the poems.
As this is a comparison question, it's important to understand the main ideas that the poets intеnd to convey to the reader:
Whеn you'rе comparing the poems, your aim is to identify areas whеrе thе poems sharе common ground
Contrasting involves pointing out thе diffеrеncеs bеtwееn thе poems:
This can bе in tеrms of idеas, thеmеs, literary features, structurе or any othеr relevant aspеct
You'rе essentially looking for connеctions that hеlp to explain how thе poems relate to еach othеr and/or how they differ
Whеn comparing and contrasting, it's crucial to provide specific examples from thе poems:
These makе your comparisons morе robust
Thе ultimatе goal of comparing and contrasting is to draw insights from thе similaritiеs and diffеrеncеs you have identified:
What do thеsе shared and distinct еlеmеnts reveal about the poets’ intentions and perspectives? Do comparisons and contrasts shеd light on the larger context or thеmеs within which thеsе poems еxist?
Comparing and contrasting rеquirеs critical thinking and analytical skills:
Don't just list similaritiеs and diffеrеncеs; delve deeper into why thеsе similarities and/or diffеrеncеs are important
Here are some words and phrases that can be used to signal comparisons and contrasts in your response:
Words to compare | similarly | likewise | equally |
both | comparably | in the same way | |
Words to contrast | on the other hand | although | however |
while | whereas | in contrast |
Once you have identified both poets’ ideas in each poem, you need to compare them. Below are some similarities and differences which you might identify using two poems from the Relationships Anthology: Wordsworth’s ‘A Complaint’ and Hadfield’s ‘Love’s Dog’.
Similarities between both poems | Differences between both poems |
Both poets present love as precious: Wordsworth’s imagery represents love as a powerful force and Hadfield’s imagery relates love to magical treasure | Wordworth’s first-person poem is an intimate conversation that reflects sadly on a relationship. However, Hadfield presents a first-person personal reflection that conveys a confident, matter-of-fact voice |
Your response should be informed by perceptive comparisons and contrasts and you must consider a varied and comprehensive range of similarities and/or differences between the poems. Below is an example of how you might form these comparative points into integrated and coherent paragraphs:
Both speakers describe their relationships’ powerful impact in their lives. Wordsworth’s imagery represents love as a powerful force and their relationship is compared to a holy fountain, a “consecrated fount”. It is endless and vibrant as evidenced through the words “murmuring, sparkling, living love”. Similarly, Hadfield’s imagery relates love to magical treasure, and as such also presents love as precious. Here, love is described as a “shrinking potion” which is suggestive of a magical power. The poets both present love as exciting and vital as well as comforting. However, in contrast, Wordsworth portrays a melancholy and intimate conversation in a Romantic poem, whereas Hadfield’s poem is an unconventional and informal assessment of love. Wordworth’s first-person poem is an intimate conversation that reflects sadly on a relationship. Its melancholic tone is created in the regular rhyme structure and the use of multiple questions emphasises the speaker’s distress. However, Hadfield presents a first-person personal reflection that conveys a confident, matter-of-fact voice and the repetitive “What I” makes the speaker’s self-assured voice the focus of the poem. While Wordsworth’s sombre poem reflects the inner thoughts of a lonely speaker, Hadfield’s is a light-hearted and informal presentation of love. |
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Comparison is not directly associated with a discrete assessment objective. However, you must answer the question set, and provide sufficient evidence to meet the requirements of the assessment objectives through your comparison including the poets’ use of language, form and structure (AO2), and the contexts in which the poems were written (AO3).
Steps for success
It is tempting to jump straight in and start writing your response immediately. However, completing the steps below first will ensure you answer the question in the way that examiners are looking for:
Highlight the key words in the question:
Re-read the poem
Choose another poem from the anthology to compare it with
Plan your answer:
Write an introductory statement which demonstrates to the examiner that you have understood the focus of the question
Select any quotations or close textual references you will be using in your response
Consider different interpretations of the poems
Include comments on context in your plan in order to integrate these throughout your response (AO3)
Follow your plan and write your response:
Ensure each paragraph starts with a confident sentence which sets out the main idea discussed in that paragraph
Then flesh out each paragraph with a series of “sub-points” which develop your argument
Re-read and check your work for overall sense and accuracy
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