Comparative Essay
ENGLISH Tutorial outline 1. Comparative essay 2. Structure 3. What to include Learning intention: 1. To understand what is needed for the comparative essay SAC. 2. To identify the structure of the essay and what to include. Success Criteria: 1. I know how to structure my essay. 2. I know what information I need from both texts. The aim of this lesson is to model the process of writing an allegory as a class.
Comparative Essay A comparative essay demonstrates your close knowledge and understanding of two texts. It enables you to consider each text in detail, and also to compare and contrast the two, using each text as a means to see what is unique and insightful about the other. The process of reading and responding to two texts together will enhance your understanding of each. You will be looking for similarities or parallels, as well as differences in their perspectives on shared ideas, issues and themes.
Gattaca vs. 1984 Remember the ideas will vary slightly between the texts. Depending on their choice of form and their use of features such as narrative viewpoint, setting, plot, language and imagery. Your response will be a formal written essay on a set topic or question.
Identifying shared ideas, issues and themes
Similarities and Differences Identify as many shared ideas, issues and themes as you can in the texts you are comparing; don’t limit your thinking to one or two main ideas. Let’s try one together... Venn diagrams A Venn diagram is a concise visual way to show similarities and differences between themes and ideas in two texts. Do a venn diagram on the board with themes. Students need to copy into their books.
Even when two texts have a main theme or idea in common, each author will take up different aspects of the theme, and express different points of view on it, in relation to the story they are telling and the characters they have created. Identifying different aspects of a main theme will therefore give you some key points for comparing and contrasting two texts. Activity: Draw a Venn diagram to show similarities and differences of themes, issues and ideas of Gattaca and 1984. Create a Venn diagram showing a range of themes in your two texts. Think carefully about where you place each one; you might find the two texts have more in common that you first imagined. Keep the themes and ideas simple at this stage - use single words or short phrases. You can add to this as we continue our study of the texts.
Writing a comparative essay Your essay: - Is a coherent essay, with an introduction, body paragraphs and a conclusion. - Takes a position on a given essay topic. - Presents a line of argument about, and a consistent interpretation of, the texts. - Includes detailed textual evidence, including brief quotations, to support the argument and reasoning. Some of your analysis will focus on a single text, showing your in-depth understanding of characters, plot, narrative and language. Other paragraphs will compare and contrast both texts. This will be particularly important in your final paragraph or two.
How to structure a comparative essay This structure organises the paragraphs according to the ideas discussed, rather than discussing the texts one after the other. Comparison of the two texts occurs throughout the response, rather than just in particular paragraphs. Introduction: state your position or argument in response to the topic, with brief reasons. Discuss one key similarities or difference between the texts. Discuss another key similarity or difference. Discuss another key similarity or difference. Discuss both texts in a concluding paragraph.
Planning is very important when using this structure, as each key similarity or difference needs to be clearly identified in a topic sentence. Avoid shifting back and forth between your texts too many times in each paragraph. Write in detail on one text, then discuss the same point in relation to the other.
Beginning the planning... Use the handout to begin planning for your essay.