Poetry Comparison Bundle

About this resource

Power & Conflict poetry can feel overwhelming with 15 poems to know. This bundle breaks down every poem, provides 30+ effective comparison pairings, and includes 5 full model answers so you can approach your exam with confidence.

What you get

• 15 individual poem analysis sheets (themes, language, structure, context)
• 30+ comparison pairings with detailed notes
• Theme and technique comparison matrix
• 5 full Grade 8-9 model comparison essays
• Printable revision flashcards for all poems
• Context guide for each poem
• Key quotes organized by theme
• Comparative vocabulary and phrase bank

Ideal for

• Students studying AQA Power & Conflict
• Anyone struggling with poem comparisons
• Learners who want comprehensive coverage
• Students revising for Literature Paper 2

Complete Poem Coverage

All 15 Poems Analyzed

Each poem includes:

1. Summary: What the poem is about
2. Themes: Key ideas explored
3. Language Analysis: Key techniques and effects
4. Structure Analysis: Form, rhyme, rhythm, line length
5. Context: Historical background and poet's purpose
6. Key Quotes: 5-7 essential quotations with analysis
7. Comparison Points: How it connects to other poems

Poems covered:

• Ozymandias
• London
• The Prelude (Extract)
• My Last Duchess
• The Charge of the Light Brigade
• Exposure
• Storm on the Island
• Bayonet Charge
• Remains
• Poppies
• War Photographer
• Tissue
• The Emigrée
• Checking Out Me History
• Kamikaze

30+ Comparison Pairings

Each pairing includes:

• Shared theme: What connects them
• Similarities: How they're alike (language, structure, message)
• Differences: How they differ (approach, tone, perspective)
• Key quotes: From both poems to support comparison
• Analysis framework: How to structure your comparison

Example Pairings:

Power of Nature:

• Ozymandias + Storm on the Island
• The Prelude + Exposure

Effects of War:

• Exposure + Bayonet Charge
• Remains + War Photographer
• The Charge of the Light Brigade + Poppies

Power and Control:

• My Last Duchess + Ozymandias
• London + Checking Out Me History

Memory and Loss:

• Poppies + The Emigrée
• Kamikaze + Remains

Identity:

• The Emigrée + Checking Out Me History
• Tissue + Kamikaze

Theme and Technique Matrix

A comprehensive grid showing:

• Which poems share which themes
• Which techniques are used across poems
• How to group poems for comparison
• Quick reference for exam planning

5 Full Model Comparison Essays

Each model answer includes:

1. Full essay (Grade 8-9 standard)
2. Question: The exact exam-style question
3. Planning notes: How to approach the question
4. Line-by-line annotations: What makes it effective
5. Examiner comments: Why it achieves high marks
6. Alternative approaches: Other ways to answer

Model essays cover:

• Comparing power in two poems
• Comparing effects of conflict
• Comparing presentation of nature
• Comparing memory and loss
• Comparing identity and belonging

Printable Revision Flashcards

For each poem:

• Front: Poem title and key theme
• Back: 3 key quotes, context, comparison points

Perfect for:

• Quick revision
• Memorizing quotes
• Testing yourself
• Last-minute exam prep

Context Guides

For each poem:

• Historical context: When and why it was written
• Poet's background: What influenced them
• Social/political context: What was happening
• Literary context: Movement or tradition
• Purpose: Why the poem was written

Key Quotes Organized by Theme

Power

Ozymandias:

• "Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"
• "Nothing beside remains"

My Last Duchess:

• "I gave commands; Then all smiles stopped together"

Conflict

Exposure:

• "But nothing happens"
• "The merciless iced east winds that knive us"

Bayonet Charge:

• "In what cold clockwork of the stars and the nations"
• "He was running"

Nature

Storm on the Island:

• "We are prepared: we build our houses squat"
• "It is a huge nothing that we fear"

The Prelude:

• "A huge peak, black and huge"
• "Troubled pleasure"

Memory

Poppies:

• "Three days before Armistice Sunday"
• "I wanted to graze my nose across the tip of your nose"

The Emigrée:

• "There once was a country... I left it as a child"
• "It may be at war, it may be sick with tyrants"

Comparative Vocabulary Bank

Phrases for Comparison

Similarities:

• "Both poets explore..."
• "Similarly, [Poet A] uses..."
• "In the same way, [Poet B]..."
• "Equally, both poems..."

Differences:

• "In contrast, [Poet A]..."
• "Whereas [Poet B] focuses on..."
• "While [Poet A] presents..., [Poet B]..."
• "Unlike [Poet A], [Poet B]..."

Analysis:

• "[Poet A] employs [technique] to [effect], whereas [Poet B] uses [technique] to [different effect]"
• "The key difference lies in..."
• "A fundamental similarity is..."

Exam Strategy

Planning Your Comparison

1. Identify the theme (2 minutes)
2. Choose your poems (1 minute)
3. Plan your points (3 minutes)
4. Select key quotes (2 minutes)
5. Write your answer (15-18 minutes)
6. Check and refine (2-3 minutes)

Structure Template

Introduction:

• State theme
• Name both poems and poets
• Preview comparison

Main Body (3-4 paragraphs):

• Compare theme presentation
• Compare language/techniques
• Compare structure
• Compare context (if relevant)

Conclusion:

• Synthesize similarities and differences
• Which is more effective? Why?

Related Resources

• Poetry Comparison Checklist (Free)
• Ultimate GCSE English Bundle (Premium - Save 40%)

Ready to master poetry comparison? Purchase this bundle or book a consultation for personalized feedback on your poetry essays.