Skip to content
Oak National Academy
Oak National Academy
Teachers
Pupils
New
New
Year 11
Edexcel

Analysing an extended and developed response on Edexcel 'Conflict' poetry

I can identify what makes an effective comparative analysis.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils
New
New
Year 11
Edexcel

Analysing an extended and developed response on Edexcel 'Conflict' poetry

I can identify what makes an effective comparative analysis.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Topic sentences need to be clear, comparative and linked to the question.
  2. Relevant quotations from the text are used to justify arguments.
  3. Context can be used to develop arguments and shape our interpretations of a text.
  4. Responses should focus on the intention of the author to avoid re-telling the story of the poem.
  5. Comparative vocabulary should be used to compare the language, form and structure of poems.

Common misconception

Context is required in every paragraph of a comparative analytical response.

Context is important to include in your response but it isn't necessary in every paragraph. In order to avoid 'bolt-on' context, it should only be used when it is relevant to the point you're making in that paragraph.

Keywords

  • Nuanced - characterised by subtle distinctions or variations

  • Evaluate - assess the value, significance or quality of something in relation to something else

  • Uphold - support or maintain a belief, decision or idea

  • Challenge - question or dispute a belief, decision or idea

  • Subtle - less obvious or more complex

You could consider stretching this lesson across two sessions, encouraging students to complete the task 'cold', answering the question used by the model answers in the lesson and then comparing Alex and Laura's responses to their own.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You will need access to a copy of the Edexcel GCSE Poetry Anthology ('Conflict' cluster).

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Video

Skip video

Loading...

Starter quiz

Download starter quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
What is a topic sentence?
the first sentence of an essay where you introduce your overarching argument
a sentence where you introduce both texts you will be comparing
Correct answer: the first sentence of an analysis paragraph where you introduce your argument
a sentence where you comment on the wider context of one or both texts
Q2.
Effective analysis should avoid re-telling the story of the poem and should instead ...
explain your contextual knowledge of each text.
introduce a quotation from each poem.
compare how both writers use literary methods.
Correct answer: explore connections between the attitudes and key ideas in each poem.
Q3.
Which of the following is an example of contextual knowledge?
knowledge of which literary methods feature in a certain poem
Correct answer: awareness of the era in which a poem was written and published
knowledge of how a poem uses rhyme and rhythm
Correct answer: awareness of the era in which a poem is set
Correct answer: knowledge of the writer's life and influences
Q4.
Which of the following sentences uses comparative conjunctions to indicate a difference?
Both teachers worked hard to help their students get the best grades.
Correct answer: She studied diligently, however her exam scores didn't improve.
Revision is a good way to improve grades, as is practising your exam routine.
It's most effective to revise regularly.
Q5.
Which of these sentences uses a quotation correctly?
Correct answer: Hardy describes how "[q]uaint and curious war is!"
Hardy reflects on the conflict ..."I shot him dead because—" using a blunt tone"
Explaining his actions, the speaker declares ("Because he was my foe,").
Hardy concludes the poem, Just so: my foe of course he was.
Q6.
Which of the following should you include in every analytical paragraph?
Correct answer: a comaprison of ideas from both poems
links to wider context
Correct answer: evidence from both poems
Correct answer: analysis of language, form and/or structure

Exit quiz

Download exit quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
What does nuanced mean?
obvious; evident to all who look at it
unclear or confusing
Correct answer: characterised by subtle distinctions or variations
could have more than one meaning
Q2.
What does evaluate mean?
deciding which text or idea you think is most interesting
identifying similarities and differences between two things
using wider context to analyse a text
Correct answer: assess the quality or significance of something in relation to something else
Q3.
Which of these help to create an effective introduction to a comparative analytical response?
Correct answer: directy addressing the question focus
using quotations from both texts to support your ideas
Correct answer: providing a brief summary of each text, linked to the question focus
identifying how both poets use language, form and structure
Correct answer: using comparative vocabulary to indicate the relationship between the poems
Q4.
When writing analytical paragraphs, you should avoid ...
using context to explore a writer's influences.
Correct answer: feature-spotting (leading with identification of methods).
using tentative (uncertain) language to indicate personal interpretations.
Correct answer: reviewing each text to decide which you prefer.
using shorter quotes and always aim for at least 2 lines of text.
Q5.
A strong conclusion will focus on ...
Correct answer: considering why you think the poems take such similar/different approaches.
analysing at least one other quotation from each text.
Correct answer: summarising the similarities and differences you've identified.
trying to challenge the arguments you've been making so far.
Correct answer: any relevant links to wider context that help shape your interpretation.
Q6.
How can contextual knowledge shape our understanding of a text?
Correct answer: it suggests possible experiences/events that may have inspired the poet
it tells us whether the poet was a skilled writer or not
Correct answer: it gives an insight into the beliefs/attitudes when a text was written
it helps us to work out which poem is more effective
it doesn't - it's just extra information you need to know

Additional material

Download additional material
We're sorry, but preview is not currently available. Download to see additional material.