Analyse a poem: Dulce et Decorum Est

GCSE · English Literature · OCR · C02.A.SK — Skill: poetic methods (form, sound, structure, imagery), use of subject terminology, sustained comparative argument

Question

How does Owen present the horror of war in "Dulce et Decorum Est"?

Write about:

The feelings and attitudes in the poem
How Owen uses language, form and structure to present horror

[25 marks]

Mark scheme (levels-based, AO1+AO2+AO3):

L3 (13–18): Clear analysis; quotations used; specific language techniques named and effect explained; some AO3 (WWI context; Owen's experience).

L4 (19–25): Convincing, detailed analysis; range of techniques (sound: "guttering, choking, drowning"; structure: shift to present tense in the gas attack; form: irregular metre mirroring chaos); integrated AO3 (propaganda of Horace's original Latin title; Owen's counter-argument).

25 marks · take your time before peeking.

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Generated by TopMyGrade AI · cross-check official sources before relying on the mark-scheme phrasing.