I am planning for a 1 hour mock exam (tomorrow) about two poems:

-Dulce et Deocorum est (Wilfred Owen)
-The Man He Killed (Thomas Hardy)
My essay question is-
what are the similarities and differenced on the two poems in which shows the theme conflict.

Now I don't need you to read the poems but I do need help on comparing the two poems

can you please give some tips and advice on how to encounter this into a formal essay.

thanks :)

Whenever you are writing a comparison/contrast paper (paragraph, essay, research paper), you need to plan it out very carefully on paper first.

Try this:

1. Write all the information about one of your topics on one page.
2. Write all the information about the other topic on another page.
3. Then put them together in this order:

1. Intro
2. All about topic A
~~~2A. detail 1
~~~2B. detail 2
~~~2C. detail 3
~~~2D. detail 4
~~~2E. detail 5
3. All about topic B
~~~3A. detail 1
~~~3B. detail 2
~~~3C. detail 3
~~~3D. detail 4
~~~3E. detail 5
4. Concl.

The number of details for each topic will vary depending on your main points. I would include comparisons (how they are similar) in the introduction and conclusion, but sections 2 and 3 and all those details will be stating and explaining how they are different.

There are two recognized patterns for writing comparison/contrast papers. One is casually referred to as "zig-zag,” but can be very confusing for the reader if you don’t use transitions effectively. The other is topic-by-topic (which is what I've outlined above) and is much easier for the reader to follow.

See http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/comparcontrast.html for further help with comparison/contrast writing.

Once you have organized your information into an outline, please re-post if you’d like feedback from someone here.

thank you so much

this is so helpful!!!

You're welcome!

Of course! The first step to writing a formal essay comparing two poems is to thoroughly understand the poems themselves. Although I won't read the poems for you, I can provide some general tips on how to approach writing this essay.

1. Read and analyze the poems: Start by carefully reading and annotating both poems. Pay attention to the themes, language, imagery, tone, structure, and any other literary techniques used. It's crucial to have a clear understanding of each poem's content and message.

2. Identify the theme of conflict: Understanding the theme of conflict in both poems is essential. Look for instances where conflict arises within each poem, whether it's external conflict or internal conflict within the speaker. Take note of the causes and consequences of the conflicts depicted.

3. Make a chart or outline: To effectively compare the poems, create a chart or outline to organize your thoughts. This will help you visualize the similarities and differences. On one side, note the similarities in terms of theme, language, structure, or any other relevant aspects. On the other side, outline the differences in those same areas.

4. Find supporting evidence: Gather specific quotes, examples, and literary devices from each poem that illustrate the theme of conflict. These will serve as evidence for your analysis in the body paragraphs of your essay. Remember, your claims should be supported by direct references to the poems.

5. Structure your essay: A typical essay structure includes an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. In the introduction, provide brief contextual information about the poets, their works, and the theme of conflict. Additionally, include a thesis statement that summarizes the main points you will be discussing in the essay.

6. Compare and contrast: In the body paragraphs, compare and contrast how each poem presents the theme of conflict. You can dedicate one paragraph to similarities and one to differences, or you can choose to integrate these aspects within each paragraph. Use clear topic sentences to guide your reader through your analysis and ensure a logical flow of ideas.

7. Analyze literary techniques: Throughout your essay, discuss the literary techniques used in each poem that contribute to the portrayal of conflict. Consider elements such as symbolism, imagery, metaphor, simile, rhyme scheme, and rhythm. Explain how the poets employ these techniques to convey their ideas effectively.

8. Conclusion: Finally, summarize the main points of comparison and emphasize how these similarities and differences contribute to a deeper understanding of the theme of conflict. Avoid introducing new information in the conclusion.

Remember, the key to a successful essay is providing a well-structured analysis supported by specific evidence from the poems. Good luck with your mock exam!