A Student's Guide to AQA GCSE Unseen Poetry
- May 13
- 6 min read
Updated: May 16
Let’s be honest. Unseen poetry can feel... a bit intimidating.
You open the paper, glance at the poem you’ve never seen before and your brain freezes.
What if you don’t “get” it? What if it’s weird?
What if it’s one of those abstract ones without any punctuation?
Don't worry, it's not about having all the answers. It’s about showing what you think about a poem and how well you can explore it. You don't need to analyse every word or language device.
Let's find out how you could tackle this question so that you feel more confident writing about whatever type of poems you find.
First, what is AQA GCSE Unseen Poetry?
Your AQA GCSE Unseen Poetry question will ask you to look at a poem you’ve never studied before. You’ll read it, then answer a question that asks you to explore how it presents an idea, such as like love, conflict, nature or grief... something along those lines.
You’ll be expected to:
Comment on language and structure
Explain techniques used by the poet
Explain your own interpretation. What do you think the poem means?
There’s no single “correct” reading. That’s important. As long as you can back up your ideas with evidence from the poem, you’re doing the right thing.
Step 1: Read the Poem Slowly (then read it again)
Before we go any further, it's worth mentioning that some students like to look at the question before reading the poem and, if that works for you, go ahead. It can help you identify what you're looking for and may help you focus.
Either way, don't rush. Read the poem twice. The first time, you should try and just absorb it. The second time, you need to start thinking about:
What it’s about (the literal meaning)
Any lines or words that stand out
Your emotional reaction - How does it make you feel?
Step 2: Annotate the poem
Highlight some key vocabulary and jot down a few thoughts.
It doesn't have to be neat; just whatever come to mind (as long as you can read it).
For example, you could look at:
Language and imagery: Are there metaphors? Similes? Alliteration? Repetition?
Tone: Is it angry? Calm? Hopeful? Confused?
Structure: Are there stanzas? Do the line lengths vary? Is the rhythm steady or erratic?
Ask yourself: Why might the poet have done that? What effect does it create?
Step 3: Write your answer
Start with a short introduction. One or two sentences that mention the poem’s topic and your initial impression, such as “In this poem, the poet uses powerful imagery and a reflective tone to explore the pain of losing a loved one."
Then move into clear, focused paragraphs, perhaps using the PETER method:
Point
What’s your idea?
Evidence
Find a short quote to support it.
Technique
Identify the method (e.g. metaphor, personification, pathetic fallacy etc).
Explanation
Why does that technique matter? What is the effect?
Reader Response
What impact does it have on the reader?
Don’t worry about sounding clever. Be honest, clear and show you’ve thought about it.
How to Compare Poems
The second part of the unseen poetry section will ask you to compare two poems, usually by looking at how they present a theme, such as nature, power, memory or relationships.
The second poem will be shorter and the question will often ask you something like: “In what ways is the theme of ........... presented differently in the two poems?”
The key is this: you don’t need to cover everything. You’re not expected to write a detailed essay about every tiny difference in tone, language and structure. Instead, choose a couple of clear points and explore them properly. That’s what gets marks: depth, not breadth.
Start by working out what each of the poems are generally saying. What's their shared topic? For example, do they both deal with grief, but one is angry and direct while the other is quiet and reflective? Or perhaps both describe nature, but one uses harsh, violent imagery and the other feels peaceful, almost gentle. Once you’ve got a rough idea of each poem’s attitude or message, you're halfway there.
Then move into a focused comparison. Pick a technique, such as metaphor, tone or structure and think about how it’s used differently (or similarly) in both poems. You might say something like, “While Poem A uses sharp, aggressive language to convey conflict, Poem B takes a softer approach, relying on gentle imagery and a reflective tone.”
Try to zoom in on a short quote or two from each and explain what they suggest. You’re not writing about them separately: you’re putting them next to each other and saying, “Look how these are different... or similar... or both.”
And if you're not sure whether your comparison is “good enough,” ask yourself, "Have I spotted a connection, supported it with evidence and said what the effect is? If yes, you're doing exactly what the question wants...even if it's not perfect.
Final Thoughts
Unseen poetry is, by design, unfamiliar. You’re not supposed to have all the answers...and that’s kind of the point.
But the good news is that it’s also one of the few places in the English exams where you get to show what you can do without relying on memory.
No themes, quotations or contextual information to learn. Just you, a poem and your thoughts.
Although you can’t revise specific poems (obviously), there are still plenty of ways to prepare:
Download past papers from the AQA website and practise answering the unseen poetry questions under timed conditions. Even just one or two can really help.
Use the mark scheme alongside your answer or, better yet, ask your teacher or tutor to look at your response and give some feedback. You could even swap answers with a friend and mark each other's work.
Read more poetry. Not loads - just a few short poems a week from different time periods or styles can help you get comfortable with the variety of voices and techniques you might come across.
Keep a poetry journal (or a simple notes page on your phone) where you jot down ideas, techniques you spot or how a poem made you feel.
Test yourself by picking a random poem online and doing a five-minute annotation. What stands out? What might the message be? Even quick exercises like that will build your confidence.
Remember: the examiner isn’t looking for a flawless interpretation.
They want to see that you’ve read the poem carefully, thought about it and tried to explain your ideas clearly. Is that intimidating? Yes... but it's definitely not impossible.
Struggling With Your Revision?
A Student’s Guide to Unseen Poetry is a clear, step by step digital guide, packed with practical tips, explanations of poetic devices and advice on structuring your response so you can tackle both parts of the AQA GCSE Unseen Poetry section with confidence.
Found This Useful? You’re In The Right Place.
The EHS Blog is packed with guides to help you master GCSE English Language and Literature. Whether you’re revising key texts like Macbeth and An Inspector Calls, tackling tricky language questions or brushing up on your essay skills, there’s plenty more to explore.
Head back to the EHS Blog to keep your revision on track!
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About the Author
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