Starter quiz
- When given an analytical essay question about a text or texts, it's helpful to ______ the question, making short notes about its key words and your initial ideas.
- 'annotate' ✓
- When analysing non-fiction texts you will focus on a writer's methods. Match each of these selected methods to their meanings.
- rhetorical question⇔a sentence used to make a point and does not expect an answer ✓
- direct address⇔the writer speaks directly to the reader or audience ✓
- direct quotation⇔citing someone's exact words within quotation marks ✓
- first person⇔narrative voice that uses the pronouns 'I' and 'we' ✓
- emotive language⇔language use to evoke a specific feeling or emotion ✓
- Which word best completes this sentence comparing two texts: "______ Bly and Saner use descriptive adjectives to reveal the experiences of women."
- Whilst
- However
- Conversley
- Similar
- Both ✓
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- Which words could complete this sentence comparing texts: "Bly uses a first person narrative perspective. ______, Saner uses a third person narrative perspective."
- Ultimately
- However ✓
- Both
- Conversely ✓
- Similarly
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- When writing an analytical paragraph which compares two texts, you should start with a ______ which states the paragraph's main idea.
- concluding sentence
- thesis
- topic sentence ✓
- summary
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- What is a profile article?
- an article analysing historical events
- a piece discussing political ideologies
- an in-depth narrative about a person: their life, achievements and personality ✓
- a report on scientific discoveries
- a review of a recent film or book
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Exit quiz
- Which word beginning with 's' can be described as challenging or overturning established norms, expectations or authority.
- 'subverting' ✓
- Starting with the first, put these sentences in order for a paragraph which starts by comparing two texts.
- 1⇔Both Bly and Saner use their texts to explore the experiences of women.
- 2⇔Bly focuses on her own experiences, and that of an investigative journalist.
- 3⇔By contrast, Saner's article focuses on the life of a survival expert.
- In her book 'Around the World in 72 Days', Bly describes: "I was afraid that he would think the idea too wild and visionary." Which words are the adjectives in this sentence?
- think
- too
- visionary ✓
- afraid ✓
- wild ✓
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- In comparative analytical paragraphs, what should the final sentence do?
- introduce a new topic
- summarise the main ideas of the whole essay
- link back to the topic sentence ✓
- provide an unrelated anecdote
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- What is true of comparative analytical paragraphs?
- You should always compare the same methods from both texts.
- You should compare throughout the paragraph, not just in the topic sentence. ✓
- You should use one quotation from each text.
- You don't need to analyse methods, because comparison is the main method.
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- When analysing texts, you will use quotations. What is true of the way you could include quotations?
- You should include one quotation per paragraph so you can explore it in detail.
- You should link quotations from different parts of the text together. ✓
- You should select quotations that are rich in methods. ✓
- You should include long quotations, so you have enough to explore.
- You should analyse every quotation you include.
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Worksheet
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Presentation
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Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- The opening of comparative paragraphs could start with a topic sentence which states the paragraph's main idea.
- The next sentences of a comparative paragraph could focus on the differences between the two texts you wish to compare.
- Including multiple quotations from both texts is key to a comparative paragraph.
- Comparing the methods writers have used can help to develop the comparison.
- The final sentence of a comparative paragraph should link to the topic sentence.
Common misconception
You should select one quotation from each text in a comparative paragraph.
Like in a powerful analytical paragraph, selecting multiple quotations from each text will help strengthen your argument. Selecting these quotations in the planning stage is key.
Keywords
Systemic - systemic refers to patterns or structures deeply embedded within social institutions, norms, and attitudes
Sexism - discrimination, prejudice, or bias based on someone's gender, typically favouring one gender over another
Prevalent - something that is widespread, common, or frequently encountered
Subverting - challenging or overturning established norms, expectations or authority
Methods - the tools a writer uses to create their work; structure and language choices are the most significant examples
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