Chapters
As part of your GCSE exam and during the GCSE studies, you will be asked to compare two texts to show that you have understood certain aspects of writing. Comparing texts is an important skill and the key is to show examiners that you have fully understood what the writers are trying to achieve in both instances.
Formatting Your Comparison
The following format is an example of a very logical way to lay out your opinions and insights into the texts:
1. Introduction
Start your comparison with a brief introduction that provides context for the texts and clearly states the purpose of the comparison. Mention the titles, authors, and any relevant background information. End the introduction with a clear thesis statement that outlines the main similarities and differences you'll be discussing.
2. Similarities
In this section, highlight the common elements between the two texts. Discuss thematic similarities, character parallels, structural similarities, or any other relevant points. Be specific and provide evidence from both texts to support your claims. Consider organising this section based on themes, characters, or any other relevant criteria.
3. Differences
Move on to discussing the differences between the two texts. Explore contrasting themes, divergent character traits, structural differences, or any other notable distinctions. Like in the similarities section, use specific examples and quotations to support your analysis. You can structure this section similarly to the similarities section, using themes, opinions, or other criteria as subheadings.
4. Conclusion
Summarise the key points from the similarities and differences sections. Restate your thesis and emphasise the significance of your findings. Discuss the broader implications of the similarities and differences you've identified, and consider how they contribute to the overall understanding or interpretation of the texts. Avoid introducing new information in the conclusion; instead, focus on synthesising and reinforcing your main arguments.
What Factors to Consider When Comparing Texts
- Author's Purpose: Identify the primary purpose of each text. Consider whether the author aims to inform, persuade, entertain, or argue. How does the language and content cater to the specific demographic?
- Identify Key Themes: Explore the central themes or topics addressed in each text. Look for overarching ideas or concepts.
- Persuasive Language: How is the writer trying to make a point? They might be against a certain topic and want to make others join them in their opinion.
- Tone of the Text: Examine the tone of each text. Is it formal, informal, objective, subjective, persuasive, or analytical? Why? What does the tone of the text help the writer to achieve?
- Supporting Evidence: Evaluate the use of evidence to support claims or arguments. Are there statistics, examples, anecdotes, or expert opinions provided?
- Authorial Bias: Investigate any potential bias in the texts. Consider the author's background, affiliations, or possible personal biases. In the UK, newspapers are known to often have a certain political bias or agenda, does this show within the author’s words?
- Effectiveness: Consider how effective each text is in achieving its purpose. How might each text impact the reader's understanding or opinions on the topic?
The following video has some further pointers for ensuring a great comparison:
Exercise
Compare the following texts using the structure outlined above and the key themes that we have discussed.
Some key tips to help you include:
- Use clear transitions between sections to guide the reader through your comparison. This helps maintain a smooth flow and ensures that your analysis is easy to follow. Words like “nevertheless,” “however,” “opposingly,” “similarly” and more can all help to make the analysis flow.
- Don't just list similarities and differences, analyse their significance. Consider why these elements are important in the context of each text and how they contribute to the overall meaning or message.
- Strive for balance in your comparison. Don't spend too much time on one text at the expense of the other. Aim to give equal attention to both texts to provide a fair and comprehensive analysis, and if you have your own opinion on something, try not to let it cloud your analysis.
- Incorporate direct quotations from the texts to support your claims. This adds credibility to your analysis and allows readers to see the specific evidence you're referencing.
Analyse these two passages, with two authors giving their opinions on whether or not homework should be banned.
Exercise: Comparison of Texts
Read through the following texts, both cover the subject of homework, and whether it is a good thing or a bad thing, plus what impacts it has on young people and their parents.
Vicki Abeles for Time.com: Why I Think All Schools Should Abolish Homework
Ita O'Kelly for IrishTimes.com: Why homework has merit and can be a force for good
Exercise – Compare these two texts using the framework explained above:
Consider the following questions:
- Do the authors use persuasive techniques such as the rule of three, hyperbole, or other methods to try and bring the reader round to their way of thinking?
- What are the two opposing viewpoints of the authors? How can you tell?
- Which author do you think makes a more compelling argument and why?
- Do the authors back up their opinions with statistics and studies rather than just anecdotal evidence?
- Are there any similarities in their opinions or are they totally opposing?
- What are the motivations of the writers and the publications? Are they just trying to stir debate?
Be sure to tie your answer up with a reasonable conclusion. Your text response doesn't need to be extremely long, 500-800 words will give you enough room to work with, so you can create a full, reasoned response.
The exam question would potentially ask you to "compare these two texts and evaluate their viewpoints as well as the argument both are trying to make".
Conclusion
Being able to critically evaluate different texts can be an important skill in life, not just for passing your English exams. Be sure to consider the motivations of the writers, their language choices, and even the context of the publication and whether it has an agenda to stick to.
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Great site with a lot of resources. Thank You so much.
Hi Anneme! Thanks for your lovely comment, glad to hear that you found these resources useful! Best of luck with your revision! :)
thank you for helping me with my work
Wow. I can’t imagine what sources were used for this, but they clearly weren’t reliable. “During the first half of the twentieth century, America was open to immigrants from all parts of Europe”—nope. Look up the Immigration Act of 1924, and keep in mind it didn’t come out of nowhere. It wasn’t significantly revised until 1952 and was only replaced in 1965. It’s not exactly a secret Americans overall were distinctly unwelcoming toward Italian immigrants for quite some time. I’m not sure how many were victims of hate crimes in total, but not everyone murdered in the lynching epidemic was Black.
“However, Italian immigrants, especially from southern Italy or Sicily, held on to their ancient values”—don’t most of us do that? This smacks of xenophobia, and it gets worse from there. “Italy has a violent past due to criminal organizations like the Mafia…” I don’t even know where to start with this, but I see this is a UK site. Do you not realize how violent your own history is? Do you think Italians are monolithic? Even if your portrayal of the mafia’s significance were accurate, what makes a mafia don so different from one of the many capricious, overly entitled English monarchs throughout your history?
To be clear, I don’t want your answers to any of these questions. I want you to properly research your subjects before attempting to teach others about them.