Paper 2 Section B — you answer on one named poem from the Power and Conflict anthology AND compare it to a poem of your choice. War Photographer appears frequently as both the named poem and as a comparison choice.
Typical question stems:
- "How does Duffy present ideas about conflict and its effects in 'War Photographer'?" (then compare)
- "How do both poets present the human cost of conflict?"
- "Compare how poets explore the response to war"
- "How do poets present ideas about power and responsibility?"
Mark allocation: 30 marks total (24 AO1/AO2/AO3 + 4 AO4 SPaG — SPaG is marked across the whole Section B answer). 45 minutes recommended.
For Level 5-6 (perceptive): Engage with Duffy's structural choices — the regular four-stanza form that mirrors order; the religious imagery that makes the photographer's work sacred; the final three-word verdict that strips all sentimentality. Show that the technique IS the argument, not an illustration of it.
This exam focus covers 🎯 Exam Connection within War Photographer (Duffy) for GCSE English Literature. Revise War Photographer (Duffy) in Power and Conflict Poetry for GCSE English Literature with 10 exam-style questions and 15 flashcards. This is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. It is section 17 of 19 in this topic. Treat this as a marking guide for what examiners are looking for, not just a fact list.
Practice questions for War Photographer (Duffy)
In 'War Photographer', Duffy writes that 'solutions slop in trays'. What makes the word 'solutions' significant?
How does Duffy use the image of the developing photograph to create meaning in 'War Photographer'? [2 marks]