Starter quiz
- Match the components of a single paragraph outline with their definition.
- topic sentence⇔explains the focus of the paragraph ✓
- supporting detail⇔analysis of language, form and structure ✓
- concluding sentence⇔summarises the paragraph ✓
- 'The quality of being clear and easy to understand' is the definition of ...
- 'clarity' ✓
- An effective concluding sentence should …
- rephrase the topic sentence.
- give your opinion about the text.
- have a sharp focus on the writer's intentions. ✓
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- Instead of choosing poems based on the time they were written or their style, it's better to compare poems based on their presentation of key ...
- themes. ✓
- forms.
- events.
- characters.
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- A word or phrase used to link ideas and signpost the direction of the writing is called a ...
- 'discourse marker' ✓
- Which of the following is example of a comparative conjunction?
- and
- neither ... nor
- most effectively
- however ✓
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Exit quiz
- What is tentative language?
- language used to embed a quotation into a sentence
- language used to signpost similarities and differences
- language which indicates a suggestion or an uncertain idea (as opposed to facts) ✓
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- When choosing a poem to compare to the one you've been given, which of the following is important to consider?
- which other poems have similar themes or messages to the one you've been given ✓
- which other poems use a similar structure of form
- which other poems explore similar attitudes or emotions ✓
- how the similar the poets were as people
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- Which of these would you expect to see in an effective introduction?
- a brief summary of what you like about each poem
- evidence from both poems
- comparative language ✓
- analysis how writers use language, form and/or structure
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- A good topic sentence will begin by ...
- exploring the wider context of each text.
- comparing key ideas in the texts. ✓
- using discourse markers such as 'Firstly ...' or 'Furthermore ...'. ✓
- 'feature spotting' important similarities in the way the poets use language.
- introducing key quotations from each text.
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- Context should be used ...
- in every paragraph.
- where it is relevant to the point you are making. ✓
- the first sentence of your response.
- the conclusion when you are considering why a writer made certain choices. ✓
- as little as possible.
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- A good conclusion will ...
- avoid linking to wider context.
- summarise the comparisons you made throughout the response. ✓
- list some extra points you didn't get to include in the rest of the response.
- avoid making new points or introducing new quotes. ✓
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Worksheet
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- An excellent introduction could start with a brief summary of each poem.
- An introduction should then have a more specific statement about the focus of the question, followed by a thesis.
- Topic sentences need to be clear, comparative and linked to the question.
- Comparative conjunctions should be used to compare language, form and structure of poems.
- Context can be used to develop arguments.
Common misconception
Analytical paragraphs should lead by comparing how the writers use language, form and/or structure.
The best comparative analytical writing begins by exploring connections between the key ideas or attitudes in a poem, supported by analysis of how writers use language, form and/or structure to convey these ideas or attitudes.
Keywords
Subtle - less obvious; nuanced; complex or understated
Comparative vocabulary - words and phrases used to signpost similarities and differences
Tentative language - language which indicates a suggestion or idea (as opposed to a fact)
Discourse markers - language used to signpost different parts of a text (e.g. in conclusion)
Redraft - rewriting parts of your work to include missing elements or upgrade the quality of your response
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