How to compare two poems

1. Must: compare two poems. Should: be able to use evidence. Could: analyse how language is used in the two poems. How to compare two poems Paper 2 preparation

2. In the first part of Paper 2 you will have to answer a question about TWO poems. Must: compare two poems. Should: be able to use evidence. Could: analyse how language is used in the two poems.

3. You will have to compare the two poems, but you must make sure that you answer the question!

4. Always remember… P E E (L) Make your POINT. Back it up with EVIDENCE. EXPLAIN how your evidence backs up your point. LINK back to the question!

5. An example question: Compare the methods the poets use to get across their points of view in Half-Caste (page 13) and one other poem of your choice from the Poems from Different Cultures. Write about: • what the points of view are • the methods that are used to get across these points of view • similarities between the methods the poets use • differences between the methods the poets use • what you think about the points of view.

6. So, what is this question actually asking? • Look at what the key words are… • This question asks for points of view. • It tells us that we have to use the poem Half Caste – so this has to be a poem where there is a strong point of view. • So, quickly, decide which other poem that you know has a strong point of view. • Then get ready to compare.

7. Remember that you need to spider planfirst!

8. So, how does Half Caste show strong feelings? Half Caste Strong sense of sarcasm Starts with a demand – ‘wha yu mean? Range of images for effect Shows off his education and gives examples Uses dialect words - ‘ah rass’ Uses phonetic spelling – this forces the reader to sound like the narrator Structure shows his anger, with short stanzas at start and end Demands that the reader comes back with a different attitude THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE IDEAS!! FIND THE REST YOURSELF 

9. What other poems show strong feelings or emotions? Quite a few! Here are some possibilities: • Presents from my aunts in Pakistan • Nothing’s Changed • Not my Business • Search for my Tongue • Unrelated Incidents Revision tip: Go and research these poems and identify the emotions that they are writing about.

10. Let’s look at the strong feelings in Presents from my aunts… Presents from my aunts in Pakistan She loves the clothes from Pakistan and uses lots of natural images to describe them She doesn’t feel ‘lovely’ enough for the beautiful Pakistan clothes She wants to fit in over here and there Pakistan is also torn in two She has painful memories of Pakistan and the journey here She identifies with the camel lamp She is ‘half English’ She looks through the gates in Pakistan and it is a metaphor for not belonging THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE IDEAS!! FIND THE REST YOURSELF 

11. Now compare your two spider plans… How do they both show strong emotion? How can they be compared? Refer back to the question!

12. Don’t spend too long on your planning; remember you can always add to it as you go on. Also…

13. Back to the question… Compare the methods the poets use to get across their points of view in Half-Caste (page 13) and one other poem of your choice from the Poems from Different Cultures. Write about: • what the points of view are • the methods that are used to get across these points of view • similarities between the methods the poets use • differences between the methods the poets use • what you think about the points of view. GOOD LUCK!