How should I write/approach an unseen poetry comparison essay?

Poetry can be complicated and vague, with many subtle layers of meaning, but when you’re writing an analytical response to it, you want to be clear, concise, and structured in your answers; especially since there will be someone ticking off criteria when reading your essay. Using the Assessment Objectives (AOs) from the mark scheme gives a really clear idea of what they’re looking for, and helps you to rememberer what to look out for in the texts. For example, thinking about the use of imagery and structure in each poem, its historic and social context, and your interpretation of it gives you clear points of comparison. Don’t be afraid to then structure your answers around the AOs, as it shows you have though methodically through every level of the question.