Suggested Essay Titles

This is an open book section of the examination paper so you need to revise the poems thoroughly. Of course, practising your responses is also vital. The following essay questions provide opportunities for you to engage with the poems and how the deal with various themes.

The examination board want to make sure that the language of the question is clear and precise. Therefore, the question’s key terms will be succinct and in bold. You must focus on this word or phrase throughout your response.

It is also important to note that equal marks are available for your analysis of each poem, but examiners will only limit your result if the imbalance is obvious.

Self-Discovery

This question is about self-discovery.

Read again Birches by Frost and Personal Helicon by Heaney.

By close analysis of the poetic methods used, and drawing upon relevant external biographical information, compare and contrast how these poets write about self-discovery.

Childhood

This question is about childhood.

Read again Going for Water by Frost and The Railway Children by Heaney.

By close analysis of the poetic methods used, and drawing upon relevant external biographical information, compare and contrast how these poets write about childhood.

Overcoming Adversity

This question is about adversity.

Read again Desert Places by Frost and Had I Not Been Awake by Heaney.

By close analysis of the poetic methods used, and drawing upon relevant external biographical information, compare and contrast how these poets write about adversity.

Writing Poetry

This question is about poetry and their role as poets.

Read again Mowing by Frost and The Forge by Heaney.

By close analysis of the poetic methods used, and drawing upon relevant external biographical information, compare and contrast how these poets write about poetry and their role as poets.

Identity

This question is about identity.

Read again Into My Own by Frost and The Forge by Heaney.

By close analysis of the poetic methods used, and drawing upon relevant external biographical information, compare and contrast how these poets write about identity.

Journeys

This question is about journeys.

Read again Into My Own by Frost and Personal Helicon by Heaney.

By close analysis of the poetic methods used, and drawing upon relevant external biographical information, compare and contrast how these poets write about journeys.

Work

This question is about work.

Read again Gathering Leaves by Frost and The Wife’s Tale by Heaney.

By close analysis of the poetic methods used, and drawing upon relevant external biographical information, compare and contrast how these poets write about work.

Significant Moments

This question is about significant moments.

Read again Gathering Leaves by Frost and The Harvest Bow by Heaney.

By close analysis of the poetic methods used, and drawing upon relevant external biographical information, compare and contrast how these poets write about significant moments.

Journeys

This question is about the power of journeys.

Read again The Road Not Taken by Frost and The Peninsula by Heaney.

By close analysis of the poetic methods used, and drawing upon relevant external biographical information, compare and contrast how these poets write about the power of journeys.

Significant Places

This question is about significant places.

Read again The Road Not Taken by Frost and The Peninsula by Heaney.

By close analysis of the poetic methods used, and drawing upon relevant external biographical information, compare and contrast how these poets write about significant places in their lives.