I wrote this essay during a poetry lesson with a student who is taking the CIE / Cambridge IGCSE exam. It wasn’t written under timed conditions so the middle paragraphs are slightly longer than you’d ideally aim for in your own, but I tried to include all of the main important ideas that you’d need for a high A or A* (L7/L8/L9) grade at GCSE — including analysis of form, structure and language, a clear layout, a central argument and understanding deeper meanings and alternative interpretations. Enjoy!

For students taking IGCSE in Literature, the absolute best way to ensure a high grade is to familiarise yourself with the assessment objectives (AOs). This page will give you a breakdown of each objective, so that you can understand them and what examiners are looking for in plain language. You then need to make sure each essay you write contains all this stuff! There are two IGCSE syllabuses for Cambridge: 0475 and 0992. Although they’re almost exactly the same in marking, I’ve given both versions below for you so that you can see your own exams clearly. Teaching or studying the whole collection? Take a look at our complete CAMBRIDGE IGCSE POETRY BUNDLE here! Please review our content! We always value feedback and are looking for ways to improve our resources, so all reviews are more than welcome. VIEW OUR SHOP for other literature and language resources.

For students taking IGCSE in Literature, the absolute best way to ensure a high grade is to understand how the mark scheme works. This page will give you a breakdown of everything you need to know so that you can what examiners are looking for in plain language. You then need to make sure each essay you write contains all this stuff! Before understanding the mark scheme, make sure you’ve looked at the Assessment Objectives and you know how those work. There are two IGCSE syllabuses for Cambridge: 0475 and 0992. Although they’re almost exactly the same in marking, I’ve given both versions below for you so that you can see your own exams clearly. Teaching or studying the whole collection? Take a look at our complete CAMBRIDGE IGCSE POETRY BUNDLE here! Please review our content! We always value feedback and are looking for ways to improve our resources, so all reviews are more than welcome. VIEW OUR SHOP for other literature and language resources.

Here’s a detailed analysis of the poem ‘Checking Out Me History’ by John Agard. These notes are tailored towards students from Y9 to A-Level (age 13+), including being suitable for collections such as AQA Power and Conflict Poetry. It includes, but is not limited to: Vocabulary Summary Language Features Structure / Form Analysis Context Attitudes / Messages Themes Essay Questions

Here’s a detailed analysis of the poem ‘Kamikaze’ by Beatrice Garland. These notes are tailored towards students from Y9 to A-Level (age 13+), including being suitable for collections such as AQA Power and Conflict Poetry. It includes, but is not limited to: Vocabulary Summary Language Features Structure / Form Analysis Context Attitudes / Messages Themes Essay Questions

This resource provides all the information that you need to know in order to be able to analyse characterisation in stories, novels and plays. It is equally useful for those working on their own creative writing as it provides a breakdown of different d ways to create and develop characters. There are several important points with creating a character, and this resource will help you be the next Charles Dickens!

Here’s a detailed analysis of the poem ‘The Émigrée’ by Carol Rumens. These notes are tailored towards students from Y9 to A-Level (age 13+), including being suitable for collections such as AQA Power and Conflict Poetry. It includes, but is not limited to: Vocabulary Summary Language Features Structure / Form Analysis Context Attitudes / Messages Themes Essay Questions

Here’s a detailed analysis of the poem ‘Tissue’ by Imtiaz Dharker. These notes are tailored towards students from Y9 to A-Level (age 13+), including being suitable for collections such as AQA Power and Conflict Poetry. It includes, but is not limited to: Vocabulary Summary Language Features Structure / Form Analysis Context Attitudes / Messages Themes Essay Questions

Here’s a detailed analysis of the poem ‘Poppies’ by Jane Weir. These notes are tailored towards students from Y9 to A-Level (age 13+), including being suitable for collections such as AQA Power and Conflict Poetry. It includes, but is not limited to: Vocabulary Summary Language Features Structure / Form Analysis Context Attitudes / Messages Themes Essay Questions

Here’s a detailed analysis of the poem ‘Remains’ by Simon Armitage. These notes are tailored towards students from Y9 to A-Level (age 13+), including being suitable for collections such as AQA Power and Conflict Poetry. It includes, but is not limited to: Vocabulary Summary Language Features Structure / Form Analysis Context Attitudes / Messages Themes Essay Questions

This is an essay example that a Y10 GCSE student completed whilst studying ‘An Inspector Calls’, it was not written in timed conditions. He was not used to writing essays and this was one of his first attempts, it came out very well! There are examiner’s marks and comments below - it received an L6 / B grade overall.

This is an example of a high grade A*/L9 essay for ‘An Inspector Calls’. It was completed by a teacher, not in timed conditions, to set an example for high achieving students, so it is beyond the requirement of a high grade for GCSE. However, students are encouraged to read it and deconstruct it to get ideas for their own essays and structuring-it is also useful in terms of learning how to develop a sophisticated approach to essay phrasing, techniques, and vocabulary.

Here’s a detailed analysis of the poem ‘Bayonet Charge’ by Ted Hughes. These notes are tailored towards students from Y9 to A-Level (age 13+), including being suitable for collections such as AQA Power and Conflict Poetry. It includes, but is not limited to: Vocabulary Summary Language Features Structure / Form Analysis Context Attitudes / Messages Themes Essay Questions

Here’s a detailed analysis of the poem ‘Storm on the Island’ by Seamus Heaney. These notes are tailored towards students from Y9 to A-Level (age 13+), including being suitable for collections such as AQA Power and Conflict Poetry. It includes, but is not limited to: Vocabulary Summary Language Features Structure / Form Analysis Context Attitudes / Messages Themes Essay Questions

Here’s a comprehensive study guide of the poem ‘London’ by William Blake, Suitable for iGCSE, GCSE and A Level students, including those studying the AQA Power + Conflict collection, and the WJEC GCSE Poetry for 2023. This resource includes: VOCABULARY STORY + SUMMARY SPEAKER + VOICE LANGUAGE FEATURE ANALYSIS FORM + STRUCTURE ANALYSIS CONTEXT ATTITUDES + MESSAGES THEMES + DEEPER IDEAS KEY QUOTATIONS EXTRA TASKS COMPREHENSION EXERCISES POSSIBLE ESSAY QUESTIONS Teaching or studying AQA Power + Conflict Poetry? Have a resource on us! Download our Ozymandias Study Guide here View our full AQA POWER + CONFLICT POETRY BUNDLE here Teaching or studying the whole WJEC collection? Have a resource on us! Download Duffy’s ‘Valentine’ for free here View our full WJEC GCSE POETRY BUNDLE here. You may also be interested in: To Kill A Mockingbird Revision Bundle An Inspector Calls Revision Bundle Please review our content! We always value feedback and are looking for ways to improve our resources, so all reviews are more than welcome. Check our shop for other literature and language resources: ([https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/ntabani])

Here’s an essay example of the poem ‘Little Boy Crying’ by Mervin Morris. It includes the essay question and the essay - suitable for CIE/Cambridge and IGCSE students, but also for those at a higher level.

This is an essay completed by an IGCSE student, though in non-timed conditions. It received a B grade overall (borderline A), although some of the ideas and interpretations demonstrate a higher level and the issues with it are mostly structural. Suitable for CIE/Cambridge and IGCSE students, but also for those at a higher level. It includes: The Essay Question The Essay Mark Scheme Examiner Notes/Comments

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the poem ‘Extract from The Prelude’ by William Wordsworth. These notes are tailored towards students from Y9 to A-Level (age 13+), including being suitable for collections such as AQA Power and Conflict Poetry. The analysis includes the following: The Poem Vocabulary Summary Language Features Structure / Form Analysis Context Attitudes Themes + Messages Essay Questions