A Guide to Writing Poetry Essays
When comparing two poems we are looking for the similarities and differences between them.
Remember, the format for writing a comparative poetry essay is:
Introduction
Paragraph 1 - Content
Paragraph 2 - Form and Structure
Paragraph 3 - Language
Conclusion
1) Plan (5-10 minutes)
 Underline the keywords in the essay question
eg How do the poets in Old Man, Old Man and Warning depict old age?
 Draw out a grid with five rows and two columns and note similarities and differences. It is a
good idea to note down contrasting connectives (however, on the other hand, conversely…)
Introduction
Content
Content
F&S
F&S
Language
Language
Conclusion
2) Introduction (2 minutes)
 Use keywords from the question to give a brief description of how __________ is
explored in each poem (ie create an argument by answering the question in one sentence).
Both Old Man, Old Man and Warning deal with old age although they have conflicting ideas
about how we should behave when we are old.

State the points you will write about.
In this essay, I will discuss the poets’ attitudes to old age, the rhyme scheme of their
poems and their use of figurative language to show that one poem is pessimistic while the
other is optimistic.
3) Paragraph 1: Content (10 minutes – a minimum of 4 PEEs)
 begin with a TOPIC SENTENCE that addresses the question
 summarise the content of each poem emphasising the theme of the question (Old Man,
Old Man is about… and therefore depicts old age…)
 identify key quotations that link to the question and your points
 consider the relevance of each poem’s title
 discuss the viewpoint of each poem (has each poet used first person narration? Why?)
 explore the attitude of each poet. How do they feel?
 end the paragraph with a CONCLUDING SENTENCE that supports your argument
4)
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Paragraph 2: Form and Structure (10 minutes – a minimum of 4 PEEs)
begin with a TOPIC SENTENCE that addresses the question
consider the form of each poem. How many stanzas are there in each? How many lines?
examine the rhyme and rhythm of each poem
look at the beginning and end of each poem. Can you see a progression of ideas?
end the paragraph with a CONCLUDING SENTENCE that supports your argument
5)
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Paragraph 3: Language (10 minutes – a minimum of 4 PEEs)
begin with a TOPIC SENTENCE that addresses the question
identify any poetic devices like metaphors, similes, personification, alliteration etc
discuss the effect of these on the reader
identify powerful or symbolic language
examine the word order – does this add to / complicate the meaning of the poem?
describe the tone of the poem – is it nostalgic, comic, morbid, matter-of-fact etc?
end the paragraph with a CONCLUDING SENTENCE that supports your argument
6) Conclusion (2 minutes)
 answer the question again but in a new sentence, this time reinforcing your argument
By comparing the two poems, I have shown that Old Man, Old Man depicts old age
more successfully because Fanthorpe uses more figurative language and a clearer
structure to reinforce her ideas.

you may add to this to reiterate what you have analysed in your essay
Remember
Do - use paragraph rules: topic sentences and concluding sentences
Do - use PEE
Do - use connectives: moreover, furthermore, nevertheless, therefore…
Do - use discourse markers: firstly, secondly, finally…
Do – use keywords from the question
Do – use standard English
Do – check your spelling, grammar and punctuation
Do – spell the poets’ names and poems correctly
Don’t – panic
Don’t – repeat your points or evidence
Don’t – write everything you know about the poems
Don’t – retell the story
GOOD LUCK!