How many poems do I need to compare in Section B?

You need to compare two poems from the WJEC anthology. The exam question will specify a theme or idea, and you must choose two poems that you can discuss in relation to that theme. Make sure you know the anthology well so you can select appropriate poems quickly.

Do I need to memorise quotes for the poetry exam?

Yes, you should memorise key quotes from each poem. Aim for at least 3-5 quotes per poem that illustrate important themes or techniques. However, you don't need to memorise entire poems—focus on powerful lines that you can analyse in depth.

How should I structure my poetry comparison essay?

A good structure is: introduction (thesis statement), then 2-3 body paragraphs that each focus on a different aspect (e.g., language, structure, themes), comparing both poems within each paragraph. Use a conclusion that summarises your main points and offers a final insight. Avoid writing separate paragraphs for each poem.

What if I don't know the context of a poem?

Context is important but not the main focus. If you're unsure, focus on what the poem itself reveals. You can make reasonable inferences from the poem's content and style. For example, if a poem uses formal language and strict rhyme, it might be from an earlier period. However, it's better to learn key contextual points for each poem beforehand.

Can I use 'I' in my essay?

It's generally best to avoid 'I' in formal analytical essays. Instead, use phrases like 'the poet suggests' or 'the reader is made to feel'. This keeps the focus on the text and your analysis, not on your personal opinion.

How important is the comparison in the essay?

Very important. The question explicitly asks you to compare, so you must discuss both poems in relation to each other throughout. Simply analysing each poem separately will not achieve high marks. Use comparative connectives and constantly link back to the question.

Section B (20%) Poetry 1789 to the present day

WJEC

GCSE

Component 1 of the WJEC Eduqas GCSE English Literature specification covers the study of one Shakespeare play and a poetry anthology (1789 to the present day). It is a 2-hour examination worth 40% of the total qualification, assessing knowledge of dramatic techniques, plot, characterisation, themes, and the analysis of language, structure, and form.

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

Key Terms

Mark Points

Topic Overview

Section B of the WJEC GCSE English Literature exam focuses on poetry from 1789 to the present day. This period spans the Romantic, Victorian, Modern, and Contemporary eras, offering a rich variety of poetic voices, forms, and themes. You will study a selection of poems from the WJEC anthology, which includes works by poets such as William Blake, William Wordsworth, John Keats, Alfred Lord Tennyson, Robert Browning, Wilfred Owen, and Carol Ann Duffy, among others. The exam requires you to compare two poems from the anthology, analysing how poets use language, structure, and form to convey ideas about universal themes like love, nature, conflict, identity, and power.

This section is worth 20% of your total GCSE English Literature grade, so mastering it is essential. The skills you develop here—close reading, comparative analysis, and contextual understanding—are transferable to other parts of the exam and to your wider studies. By engaging with poetry from different historical periods, you will gain insight into how poets respond to their world and how poetry can challenge, comfort, and inspire. The key is to move beyond simple summary and instead explore how poets craft meaning through specific choices in language and structure.

To succeed in Section B, you need to be familiar with the poems in your anthology, understand the key themes and contexts, and practise comparing poems effectively. The exam question will ask you to compare two poems, focusing on a specific theme or idea. You must discuss both poems in detail, using evidence to support your points, and consider how the poets' use of language, form, and structure creates effects. Remember, the examiner is looking for a thoughtful, well-structured response that shows your ability to analyse and compare, not just describe.

Key Concepts

Core ideas you must understand for this topic

→Form and structure: Understand how a poem's form (e.g., sonnet, dramatic monologue, free verse) and structure (e.g., stanza length, rhyme scheme, enjambment) contribute to its meaning and effect.
→Language and imagery: Analyse the poet's choice of words, figurative language (similes, metaphors, personification), and sensory imagery to explore how they create mood, tone, and themes.
→Context: Consider the historical, social, and cultural context of each poem, including the poet's biography and the period's literary movements (e.g., Romanticism, Modernism).
→Comparison skills: Practise comparing poems by identifying similarities and differences in themes, techniques, and perspectives, using comparative phrases like 'similarly', 'in contrast', 'whereas'.
→Themes: Focus on recurring themes such as love, nature, conflict, power, identity, and memory, and how different poets approach these themes.

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the Shakespeare text through an extract-based question and an essay question.
Analyze the writer's use of language, structure, and form.
Show understanding of key themes, characters, and ideas.
Demonstrate understanding of poetry content, key ideas, and the relationships between poems.
Consider the context of poems and the poets' use of language, structure, and form.
Accurate spelling, punctuation, and grammar (AO4).

Marking Points

Key points examiners look for in your answers

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the Shakespeare text through an extract-based question and an essay question.
Analyze the writer's use of language, structure, and form.
Show understanding of key themes, characters, and ideas.
Demonstrate understanding of poetry content, key ideas, and the relationships between poems.
Consider the context of poems and the poets' use of language, structure, and form.
Accurate spelling, punctuation, and grammar (AO4).

Examiner Tips

Expert advice for maximising your marks

💡Ensure you study all poems in the anthology as you must compare two in the exam.
💡Practice writing about both the extract and the wider text for the Shakespeare section.
💡Use specific literary terminology when analyzing language, structure, and form.
💡Manage your time effectively across the two sections of the 2-hour paper.
💡Support all points with relevant textual references or quotations.
💡Tip 1: Always start with a clear thesis that directly answers the question. For example, if the question is about how poets present conflict, your opening sentence should state what both poems suggest about conflict and how they do it.
💡Tip 2: Use the 'PEEL' structure (Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link) for each paragraph. Make sure your explanation zooms in on specific words or techniques and explores their effect on the reader.
💡Tip 3: Practise timing. You have about 45 minutes for this section. Spend 5-10 minutes planning, 30 minutes writing, and 5 minutes checking. A well-planned essay is more coherent and focused.

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

Failing to address both the extract and the whole text in the Shakespeare section.
Neglecting to compare the two poems in the poetry anthology section.
Ignoring the context of the poems.
Lack of focus on language, structure, and form analysis.
Poor organization of arguments or lack of clear textual references.
Misconception: 'I just need to explain what the poem is about.' Correction: Summary alone will not get high marks. You must analyse how the poet uses language, form, and structure to create meaning and effect.
Misconception: 'Context is just background information to add at the end.' Correction: Context should be integrated into your analysis to explain why the poet made certain choices. For example, knowing that Wilfred Owen wrote 'Dulce et Decorum Est' from his experience in WWI helps explain the poem's graphic imagery and anti-war message.
Misconception: 'I should compare poems by listing similarities and differences in separate paragraphs.' Correction: A good comparison weaves points together, discussing both poems in relation to each other throughout your response. Use comparative connectives to link your ideas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions students ask about this topic

Before You Start

Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

•Basic understanding of poetic devices: metaphor, simile, alliteration, rhyme, rhythm, enjambment, caesura.
•Familiarity with the WJEC anthology poems: read them multiple times and annotate key themes, language, and structure.
•Experience with comparative writing: practise writing paragraphs that compare two texts, using comparative language.

Study Guide Available

Comprehensive revision notes & examples

Read Study Guide

Likely Command Words

How questions on this topic are typically asked

Analyze

Compare

Evaluate

Discuss

Explain

How does the writer...

Ready to test yourself?

Practice questions tailored to this topic

Section B (20%) Poetry 1789 to the present day

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

Before You Start

Study Guide Available

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in WJEC GCSE English Literature

A Christmas Carol

A Peasant

A Taste of Honey

A Wife in London

How to Revise Section B (20%) Poetry 1789 to the present day — WJEC GCSE English Literature

Examiner Tips for Section B (20%) Poetry 1789 to the present day

Common Mistakes in Section B (20%) Poetry 1789 to the present day

Key Marking Points

Section B (20%) Poetry 1789 to the present day

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

How many poems do I need to compare in Section B?

Do I need to memorise quotes for the poetry exam?

How should I structure my poetry comparison essay?

What if I don't know the context of a poem?

Can I use 'I' in my essay?

How important is the comparison in the essay?

Before You Start

Study Guide Available

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in WJEC GCSE English Literature

A Christmas Carol

A Peasant

A Taste of Honey

A Wife in London