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 Expectations

for the first question focusing exclusively on the initial unseen poem.

..for the second question, which focuses on comparing it to another unseen poem.

● The difference between unseen poetry and the anthology section on the paper is that
there are no marks awarded for both context and understanding the tone of the poems
presented to you.

● However, those marking your paper are checking to see if you've examined the meaning
behind the text, and then how the author has used structure, form, imagery and
language to create this meaning in their poem.

● You are allocated around 45 minutes for Paper 2 Section C. It's probably a good idea to
spend 30-35 minutes on the 24 mark question, leaving your remaining time for the
shorter 8 marker.

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● When faced with the poem, stay calm and initially read it over once. There’s no need
to start annotating until you have got the basic gist of the poem.

● If you don’t understand it the first time you read it keep the question in mind and start
thinking about the connotations of the title and spotting poetic devices (such as
metaphors, similes, sibilance, etc).

● When annotating make sure that you are only labelling devices that you have
something to write about, if you annotate every single thing you find then you’ll run
out of time to write your essay.

● Remember to always keep thinking about the question, and the theme or
perspective it's asking you to explore, in relation to the poem.

● Once you have come up with 2 - 4 points about the poem (though three solid points
tend to work effectively for most people), you can analyse the structure. You should
note things like the rhyme scheme used and syllable line length, and you can then
link these to your points about the theme / perspectives presented in the poem.

● Also, gather key quotes which link to each of your points before you begin writing your
essay. These can become paragraphs and mean you will have a clear structure in
front of you to work from.

For each of your paragraphs in your essay, try and include:

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 How does Allen Poe present time in “A Dream within a Dream”?

A Dream Within A Dream

Take this kiss upon the brow!

And, in parting from you now,
Thus much let me avow--
You are not wrong, who deem
That my days have been a dream;
Yet if hope has flown away
In a night, or in a day,
In a vision, or in none,
Is it therefore the less gone?
All that we see or seem
Is but a dream within a dream.

I stand amid the roar

Of a surf-tormented shore,
And I hold within my hand
Grains of the golden sand--
How few! yet how they creep
Through my fingers to the deep,
While I weep--while I weep!
O God! can I not grasp
Them with a tighter clasp?
O God! can I not save
One from the pitiless wave?
Is all that we see or seem
But a dream within a dream?

So, when faced with this question as the 24 marker in the exam, after reading it through once and
gaining a basic understanding of the gist of it, you need to think about the following analytical
categories:

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 What sorts of things can we think about in Poe’s poem?

As you have such a little amount of allocated time for this short question, a brief plan (if any)
will suffice, but start writing as soon as possible.

● Focus on always comparing similarities or differences between the two given poems
rather going into any solidly detailed analysis of just one or the other - remember, you
have very limited time.
● Try and write three short, concise paragraphs - or two longer ones if you're going to
go into more specific detail - on two comparative points.
● A good guideline to start planning this sort of question would be to plan two paragraphs
of similarities and one paragraph of difference between the two poems.
● Try to include a reference to structure in one of the paragraphs. However, the key is
to include a quote for each comparative point for each of the poem, along with a specific
poetic technique the writer is using.
● Also remember to include how the poetic techniques are used and how the message
the writer is trying to convey affects the reader.

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 What could you write about for structure and form and language?

You can try and identify the following devices within the poem you are presented with, but always
remember to link the device used back to the question and explain the effect it has on the
piece of writing and the reader.

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