How do I compare unseen poetry with that of my anthology?

My first piece of advice would be to read through the poems once and focus on the overall message that the poet is trying to convey and then think what poem in your anthology presents a similar overall message. Then, I would suggest to underline five or more quotations which have imagery and poetic technique, such as tone, sibilance, metaphor etc. Focus specifically on close analysis of language – ask yourself what is the effect of the word choice the poet has employed? On each poem I would also recommend that you write one point on form or structure. For instance, is there a tone change? Enjambment? Rhyme or rhythm? An irregular or regular structure? If so, then what is the effect of that? A regular structure may suggest a sense of control, or at least the speaker/poet is trying to convey a sense of control in an otherwise slightly chaotic poem. Likewise, the use of enjambment may suggest a sense of movement or an uncontrollable flow of thought. For my first paragraph I would provide an overview of the theme and would then compare which presentation in each of the poems was more effective. I would expand my point on what they have in common, then I would employ my quote on one poem plus a brief analysis. Then, I would bring in my quote from my other poem plus brief analysis. Then, bring the poems together – what do they have in common? Do they use similar poetic techniques? If not, how are they different? Finally, I would link back to the question and evaluate the similarities and differences between the poems. Applying this, if we compare Medusa and Eat Me we can see that the two share the same overarching themes. For example, both focus on betrayal. Whilst in Medusa we see the effects of the partners in betrayal in Eat me, meanwhile, we see the persona betraying her partner. Both poems also focus on obsession and jealousy which is shown to be unhealthy in both. Indeed, in Eat me we see how obsession that the partner feels over the speaker leads to an abusive relationship whereas in Medusa the obsession the speaker feels over her former partner leads to a degenerative change. Both speakers also exercise their power as the poem progresses. Indeed, Agbabi demonstrates the power of the speaker through colonial imagery (bring in quote and then analyse) which is shown to overcome the speakers’ partner (resulting in his death) revealing a change in power dynamic of the relationship. Duffy, meanwhile, reveals the degenerative change the speaker undergoes as she becomes more dangerous and monstrous (bring in quote and then analyse). It is worth noting that the ending of the poems are different. Whilst Agbabi ends with the almost victorious yet sinister cannibalism, the tone of Medusa is somewhat sorrowful and despairing through the use of pun (‘Look at me now’). Therefore, the consumption of power in Medusa leads to a degenerative change, whereas in Eat me the consumption of power leads to victory.