Comparing Poems– What To Do
Comparing Poems – What To Do
What to do first:
1. Read both poems carefully - several times.
2. Make a short list comparing each poem:
Similarities
Differences
Content/Poetic Voice
Tone & Mood
Structure: Rhyme , Rhythm & Free Verse
Language: similes, metaphors, personification, aural imagery, alliteration,
assonance, and onomatopoeia.
3. Explore the background of each poem considering:
Setting & Background - different cultures , considering:
Race
Nationality
Language
Religion
Education
Wealth/Poverty
Social Behaviour
Attitudes
Customs
Traditions
Literature
www.essentiallyeducation.co.uk
Comparing Poems– What To Do
Music
Painting
Entertainment
Sense of Humour
Politics
Food
Dress
The poets background information:
Consider the year in which the poem was written, making sure that you have
some historical information of that time.
4.Consider the content of the poem - what the poem is about.
5. Consider the poets use of language.
6. Consider: effect - why does the poet use language in this way and what
effect does he/she want to create?
Writing Your Response:
Introduction
An introductory paragraph commenting on the general themes, ideas or content of
each poem.
Main Body: Several paragraphs based o your detailed reading/comparative analysis
of the poems. Make your own comparison integrated by making a point about the
first poem and then about the other poem etc...
Structure your ideas carefully in this section and in a logical way e.g. one paragraph
could compare the way each poem uses imagery, another could focus on the
structure of the poems and so on...
www.essentiallyeducation.co.uk
Comparing Poems– What To Do
Try to remember: (CSTML):
Content
Structure
Tone & Mood
Language
and write a paragraph for each.
Conclusion
A concluding paragraph that sums up the main similarities and differences.
Integration Phrases
You could use these phrases to help move the analysis smoothly from poem to
poem:
In comparison with...
On the other hand...
However...
In contrast to...
Compared with...
Similarly...
Unlike...
Another difference/similarity
www.essentiallyeducation.co.uk