1. Section C (Unseen poetry)
Literature Paper 2 Mock
Section C (Unseen poetry)

2. General advice
Timing/detail appropriate to number of marks available: you shouldn’t be writing more for question 2 (worth 8 marks) or spending more time on it than question 1 (worth 24 marks)
Slow down and read poems carefully to be confident you’ve understood the overall tone/message before you start
Know the demands of each question – AO1 and AO2 for Q1; just AO2 for Q2.

3. Question 1 – exploring single unseen poem to explore in detail
‘Convincing, critical analysis and exploration’
21-24
‘thoughtful, developed consideration’
17-20
‘clear understanding’ 13-16
‘explained, structured comments’
9-12
Question 1 – exploring single unseen poem to explore in detail
This is worth 24 marks – almost as much as the earlier essays in this paper, so it’s important you treat it as such and write an appropriate amount: good detail and coverage.
Most people’s responses fell somewhere in Level 4 of the mark scheme (17-20 marks, ‘thoughtful, developed consideration’) with a few just above or just below.
To achieve the higher marks, you need to use plenty of terminology to help you discuss writer’s methods, identifying multiple techniques – you could use several when commenting on a single, well-chosen quotation.
The other key thing to aim for is detailed examination/exploration of effects created by the writer. This means you need to do more than just rephrase a quotation in your own words or say what it means – you need to unpack layers of meaning. E.g. the metaphor ‘let junkmail build its castles’ – explore the significance of describing the accumulating junkmail as ‘castles’ – sense of scale? Concept of its power? Childlike or fairytale image attempting to distance it from real life?
Finally, try to include a succinct and precise summary of the writer’s intention/message in the poem. This would be good as a brief introduction or conclusion.

4. Question 2 – comparison of both unseen poems
‘Exploratory and convincing’
7-8
‘Thoughtful examination’
5-6
‘Relevant comparison’
3-4
‘Some links’
1-2
Question 2 – comparison of both unseen poems
For this question you are solely marked on AO2. This means that the main thing to focus on is the writer’s methods and their effects – this is what your comparisons need to be based around, not interpretation of meanings.
Quite a few people achieved middling marks for this question – 4/5/6 out of 8. The main reason that many marks were ‘capped’ around here was either due to coverage (where perhaps only 2 points were made and quite briefly) or lack of focus on writer’s methods.
ADVICE: where possible, try to lead comparison with writers’ methods. If this proves difficult, lead with meaning-based comparison but make sure you move straight into identifying HOW these connected meanings are created in each poem.