Comparing two unseen poems for AQA Paper 2: focusing the second question on methods, building a concise idea-led comparison, and managing the shorter mark allocation (AO2).

What this dot point is asking

The second unseen question introduces a second poem and asks you to compare the methods the two poets use to present a similar feeling or idea. It is worth fewer marks than the first question and is focused on method, so you must compare efficiently and stay on AO2.

Why the second question is different

The first unseen question asks you to analyse one poem in depth; the second introduces a partner poem and asks specifically about the methods the two poets use to present a similar feeling or idea. The shift from "analyse" to "compare the methods" is deliberate, and it changes how you read. You are no longer building a full reading of a single poem; you are looking across two poems for the points where their techniques meet or diverge. Because you have already read and analysed the first poem for the previous question, your job here is mostly to read the second poem quickly for its methods and then map the two against each other.

Focus on method, not content

The question wording targets the poets' methods. Compare how each poet creates an effect, not just what the two poems say. It is easy to slip into retelling what each poem is about, but a summary of content earns little when the question asks about technique. Keep returning to the word "how": how does each poet use imagery, tone or structure to present the shared feeling, and how do those choices differ? A comparison that says "both poems are about grief" is content; one that says "both present grief through restrained understatement, but the first uses short, broken lines while the second uses a flowing, unbroken sentence" is method.

Build a concise comparison

With limited time, pick one or two strong comparative points and develop them well, treating both poems in each paragraph.

What to compare when you have little time

With a short tariff you cannot cover everything, so target the methods that differ most clearly between the two poems. Imagery: do the poets reach for similar or contrasting images for the same feeling? Tone: is one gentle where the other is bitter, or do they share a mood built differently? Structure and form: a regular form against free verse, a poem that builds against one that turns. Pick the one or two contrasts that are most striking and develop them well. The first unseen question has already asked you to analyse one poem in depth, so this second question is about the relationship between the two: keep the spotlight on how their methods compare, not on re-analysing either poem in full.

Match effort to marks

Because this question is worth fewer marks than the first, write a focused answer and do not overrun. Two well-compared points beat four undeveloped ones. Allocate your time so the first unseen question, which carries the larger tariff, gets the greater share, and treat this comparison as a tight, efficient piece of writing. A short answer that compares two methods cleanly will score better than a sprawling one that loses the comparison in description.

Try this

Q1. What is the second unseen question specifically asking you to compare? [2 marks]

• Cue. The methods the two poets use to present a similar feeling or idea.

Q2. Why should you write less here than on the first unseen question? [2 marks]

• Cue. It carries fewer marks, so effort should match the smaller allocation.