FAQs
Assignment A
1. Which poems can be studied for the assignment?
Candidates must analyse two poems selected from those studied. The poems should be selected from the work of one or more of the poets listed on pages 14-15 of the specification. The poems studied should amount to 15 poems or at least 1000 lines of poetry.
2. Can this be offered as a crossover piece?
Yes. However, you must ensure that the task addresses the relevant assessment objectives for GCSE English. If the assignment is offered as a crossover piece, candidates must choose from the following poets only:
- Carol Ann Duffy
- Robert Frost
- Liz Lockhead
- Grace Nichols
- R S Thomas
3. Why study so many poems if only two are used?
Students need experience in doing assignments before they reach their potential. Also, individuals enjoy some poems more than others and respond better to them. A variety gives every member of the group an opportunity to find something really appealing.
4. Is there any advantage to responding to four or five poems in Assignment A?
No. Meeting the criteria is essential and in less than 1000 words it is difficult to show insight or analytical skill when discussing the implications and devices in a large number of poems. Too many poems make answers scrappy and lacking in the detail necessary to meet the relevant criteria.
5. Must there be comparative analysis in every poetry assignment?
AO3 requires candidates to “explore relationships and comparisons between texts”. Assignment A is the obvious place to make these comparisons and connections and each grade upwards builds on this requirement.