Comparing texts

Themes, issues and ideas – what’s the difference Theme: Prejudice Issue: something that could be negotiated-prejudice is an ongoing problem Idea: That in times of prejudice a light can also shine on some positive human traits

Comparative essays Follow the same basic structure as a single text response: introduction, body paragraphs and conclusion. Introduction would introduce BOTH texts as well as put forward your contention in response to the prompt (your position on the prompt). It should also shine a light on the main ideas of your essay. Body paragraphs have to have a topic sentence. It will then discuss evidence from one or both texts. It will demonstrate STRONG knowledge of the texts (including evidence/quotes). A linking sentence at the the end of the paragraph will connect to your overall contention. The conclusion does not have to be very long. Just return to the topic and sum up your response to both texts.

Structuring a comparative essay Possible approaches: text-by-text (whole-to-whole) - discuss all of Text A, 
then all of Text B. Use conclusion to bring it together. 
 point-by-point – discuss one point for Text A then Text B 
before moving on to the next point 
 similarities-to-differences – discuss how the texts are similar then how they are different

One Approach Para 1 Topic sentence about A and B Detailed discussion of A Para 2 (similarly, in contrast)
Detailed discussion of B Para 3 Discuss points of similarity between texts A and B Para 4 Discuss points of difference between texts A and B

And another approach Para 1
Topic sentence analysing a point of similarity between A and B Detailed discussion of A and B
 Para 2 Topic sentence analysing another point of similarity in text A and B Para 3 Topic sentence analysing another point of similarity in text A and B Para 4 Topic sentence analysing point of difference in text A and B

You can look at points of connection using a venn diagram Text A Text B SIMILARITIES

Vocabulary Comparison Contrast in the same way yet by the same token and yet similarly nevertheless in like manner nonetheless likewise after all in similar fashion but Also however Just as though Similar to otherwise Same as on the contrary Compare in contrast compare(d) to / with contrastingly Not only...but also notwithstanding on the other hand at the same time

Sample material comparing ‘To Kill a mockingbird’ to the film text ‘rabbit proof fence’ Obviously different films will provide different ideas to compare, but the following material should give you a sense of how the comparative essay can be approached.

PRACTICE ESSAY PROMPT What do the children learn about their prejudiced societies in To Kill a Mockingbird and Rabbit Proof Fence?

Some ideas People can be cruel • they learn that their are good and bad people • It is hard to change prejudicial attitudes • they extent of racism/ shattering of illusions/ real awaking  • Even in times of discrimination people can surprise you in good ways • society doesn't value the intrinsic worth of the groups biased against • Innocent people suffer when prejudiced attitudes abound • the children learn that their worlds are far from perfect  • expectations for the discriminated against groups are unobtainable  • some people view their qualities/ beliefs/ culture superior to others  • prejudice doesn't make sense to an innocent/unbiased mind  • people with risk everything to escape prejudice  • people are judged on their appearance  • people will be brace in times of prejudice  • the societies in which they lived are unjust  • the journey to freedom is long, challenging and there are many obstacles  • some people don't have a fair chance  • innocent people suffer in times of prejudice  • they learn that prejudice is difficult to change/overcome 

Change an idea into a paragraph IDEA: Innocent people suffer when prejudiced attitudes abound TOPIC SENTENCE: Growing up in the racist time of the 1930s both Scout Finch and Molly Craig experience first hand how innocent people suffer terrible hardships when prejudiced attitudes abound in society.

NOW, BUILD YOUR PARAGRAPH TOPIC SENTENCE: GROWING UP IN THE RACIST TIME OF THE 1930S BOTH SCOUT FINCH AND MOLLY CRAIG EXPERIENCE FIRST HAND HOW INNOCENT PEOPLE SUFFER TERRIBLE HARDSHIPS WHEN PREJUDICED ATTITUDES ABOUND IN SOCIETY. EXPLAIN: TAKE A SENTENCE OR TWO TO EXPLAIN THIS TOPIC SENTENCE (BREAK IT DOWN FOR THE READER) EVIDENCE: BUILD ON THIS IDEA BY EXAMINING EVIDENCE FROM YOUR TEXTS AND HOW IT RELATES TO THE IDEAS IN YOUR TOPIC SENTENCE LINK: YOUR LINKING SENTENCE WILL CONNECT THE PARAGRAPH IDEA BACK TO YOUR OVERALL CONTENTION.

Introduction A sample template: Confronting the harsh realities of growing up in prejudiced societies, the children in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird and Philip Noyce’s Rabbit Proof Fence are faced taught some unwelcome truths about life. Lee explores_________________________________________________________________. Similarly, Noyce investigates ______________________________________________. It becomes obvious that both ____________________________________________. Moreover, ______________________________________________________________.

conclusion The conclusion comes back to the big ideas. What was your essay about and what were the big understandings you reached through your essay. An idea for a conclusion could be something like this: As a result growing up in extremely racist societies the Craig and Finch children are taught some harsh lessons about life. They learn their worlds are far from perfect or fair. Yet, within their worlds they see that hope does exist and some decent people remain.