Writing a poetry

comparative essay
Remember SHSG English!
• How to answer a poetry comparison question — SHSG English
Format of the question
Compare how poets present [conceptual idea] in
[a poem from the anthology, printed for you] and
one other poem from 'Love and relationships'.

Potential conceptual ideas:

• attitudes to parents
You have already done
• admiration for a loved one
some work on linking
poems conceptually in
• parental love
your cover lessons.
• feelings of guilt
• support
• the relationship between parents and children
Recommended structure
• A comparative thesis as an introduction – this only need be two or
three sentences long
• 3 analysis paragraphs
a. Poem 1 – core difference/similarity from thesis
b. Poem 2 – core difference/similarity from thesis
c. Thoughtful comparative paragraph which will generally be a
difference within the core similarity or a similarity within the
core difference
• Conclusion which summarises your thesis in a bit more detail,
bringing in the ideas from the final paragraph too
Sample question: identifying conceptual ideas
Compare how poets present attitudes towards an older relative in
'Follower' and another poem from 'Love and relationships'.

Task 1: Choose your comparative poem

• What does 'Follower' indicate about a person's attitude towards an
older relative – think of as many aspects as you can. In other words,
which conceptual ideas can you think of?
• Which of these conceptual ideas can be found either very similarly,
quite similarly, or quite differently in other poems?
• Which poem would you likely choose to compare? Why?
Sample question: planning
Compare how poets present attitudes towards an older
relative in 'Follower' and another poem from 'Love and relationships'.

• What could a comparative thesis be for this task? Discuss.

• Aim to write your thesis in 2-3 sentences.

In both ‘Follower’ and ‘Mother, any distance’, the poets explore how the
relationship between parent and child develop as time goes on. In ‘Follower’,
there is a reversal of roles and an unfortunate shift of responsibility due to an
ageing parent but in ‘Mother, any distance’, there is a strengthening change due
to the child growing up which comes with opportunities for the future.
 Check your thesis statement
In both ‘Follower’ and ‘Mother, any distance’, the poets explore how the
relationship between parent and child develop as time goes on. In ‘Follower’,
there is a reversal of roles and an unfortunate shift of responsibility due to an
ageing parent but in ‘Mother, any distance’, there is a strengthening change due
to the child growing up which comes with opportunities for the future.

Comparative language Information about how each Comment on each poem's

and an poem relates to the question overall context, in relation
overall conceptual idea. conceptually – its ideas. to the question.
Paragraph planning: points
Paragraph 1: Poem 1 – core difference/similarity from thesis
Paragraph 2: Poem 2 – core difference/similarity from thesis

What will your points be? In other words, write a statement for each poem
(paragraph) which explains a clear conceptual idea which relates to the task.
• In 'Follower', Heaney reflects on how adult children can feel irritation towards
a once-admired parent when that parent becomes dependent on the child.
• Whereas the adult child in 'Follower' experiences uncomfortable emotions
towards his parent, the speaker in 'Mother, any distance', suggests that adult
children have cause to reflect on the support they receive from a parent, even
when they live apart.
Choosing evidence
• You must choose evidence which clearly relates to your point AND has
a method you can analyse. This method might be:
• Imagery
• Connotation
• Tense
• Structure
• Sounds
• Rhythm
• Rhyme
• Select some evidence now for your paragraphs.
Contextualising evidence
• You must include context when you supply evidence
• If you just put quotations in a sentence, you won't demonstrate that
you understand what the evidence means in relation to the task.

Compare:
Heaney reflects on the changing relationship and how he could be seen
‘tripping, falling, yapping always’ on the farm in his father's ‘hob nailed
wake’ but, as his father ages, it is he ‘who keeps stumbling behind [the
speaker]’.
The quote 'tripping, falling, yapping' describes the son's behaviour
compared to the aging father, who is now 'stumbling'.
Develop evidence and your points
• Can you write more than one thing about each piece of evidence?
• Can you link it to a further piece of evidence?
For top marks, your response must be developed. The order below is often
helpful.
Comment on:
• Connotation/language (including title)
• Imagery (there will ALWAYS be imagery)
• Tense (Where does it locate the poem in time? Does it change?)
• Structure, Sounds, Rhythm and Rhyme (Do these poetic elements enhance the
meaning you've identified via imagery and language?)
Example of developing on next slide
In ‘Mother, any distance’, the son is moving out into his new house and describes his mother at the
‘zero-end’ of the measuring tape, ‘unreeling years between [them]’ as they discover their new ‘Anchor.
Kite’ relationship. The description of the ‘zero-end’ conveys that the mother has been supporting her
son since his birth and is still there so will continue to support her adult son. The verb ‘unreeling’ is in
the present participle which suggests that this change in their relationship is not over and there are ore
unknowns to come. However, ‘unreeling’ is a deliberate and measured action, showing that both mother
and son are ready for the future and the opportunities it will hold. The caesura in ‘Anchor. Kite’
symbolises the division between mother and group-up, independent son, showing that the son no
longer feels reliant on his mother. The imagery here of the kite flying but being held by the anchor is
symbolic of the son being free to move and explore, but always knowing that his mother is there to
support him, just a string away. However, the anchor could symbolise the sacrificial nature of
motherhood because her life is put on hold for her son to thrive. Therefore, the speaker is reflecting on
his mother’s role before and how some parts have changes, but her maternal love is continuous.
Feedback on paragraphs
• FB on PEA paragraph.pptx (sharepoint.com)

• Class feedback from practice paragraphs

Ending your essay
• Thoughtful comparative paragraph which will generally be
a difference within the core similarity or a similarity within the core
difference​
• Conclusion which summarises your thesis in a bit more
detail, bringing in the ideas from the final paragraph too​

In practice, the above may end up being combined.

How to answer a poetry comparison question — SHSG English
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