Comparative Study 2016

Introduction to Comparative The comparative can sometimes feel like a hard topic to tackle because you’ve never had a question like this before. But try not to be daunted!

Introduction to Comparative Comparative simply means comparing and contrasting something. Making a comparison between two things is something we do every day in life!

Who Wore It Better?

Who Is The Better Footballer?

Which was better: the book or the film?

Who Deserved To Win?

Introduction to Comparative We make comparisons every single day. We probably don’t read poetry every day. We definitely don’t argue that Macbeth is a complex and flawed character every day. You are more qualified to do this question than any other on the English course!

Compare these two objects:

Making a Comparison! First make a rough list of ALL the ways that these two objects are similar. Then make a rough list of ALL the ways that these two objects are different. Finally, using your two lists write a paragraph comparing and contrasting the two objects.

You’ve just completed your first comparative study! Congratulations! You’ve just completed your first comparative study!

Now it gets a little bit more complicated …. BUT DON’T PANIC!

Introduction to Comparative The comparative question asks you to compare and contrast three different texts. These texts can include books, plays and films. Your chosen texts will be: The Handmaid’s Tale – by Margaret Atwood (Novel) Juno – directed by Jason Reitman (Film) A Doll’s House – by Henrik Ibsen (Play)

Introduction to Comparative BUT … if you were asked to just find any links between 3 whole texts, you could be writing 40 page essays. You don’t want to write 40 page essays.

Introduction to Comparative So … to make life easier for you, you will be given SPECIFIC TOPICS to discuss when you’re finding links between your texts. This way a 40 page essay noting every single similarity and difference between your texts becomes a 4 page essay noting how some particular aspect of the texts are similar and different.

Introduction to Comparative Students are asked to compare their chosen texts under different headings. You will get a choice between 3 different headings and in the exam you will write on ONE of them. The three headings you must compare your texts under change every year. For the 2019 Leaving Certificate (the year you will sit your exam) those three headings are: General Vision and Viewpoint Literary Genre Theme or Issue BUT WE WILL ONLY STUDY TWO OF THESE!

* General Vision and Viewpoint * Theme or Issue What on earth do they mean?

Introduction to Comparative General Vision and Viewpoint The vision and viewpoint of a text is a fancy way of saying: does this story make me feel good about life or does it make it me feel bad about life? Or maybe a little bit of both!

Keyword Check! Optimistic: A feeling or belief that good things will happen in the future

Keyword Check: Optimistic An optimistic person is often described as someone who sees the glass as half full. They look on the bright side of life!

Pessimistic: A tendency to belief that the worst will happen. Keyword Check! Pessimistic: A tendency to belief that the worst will happen.

Keyword Check: Pessimistic A pessimistic person is often described as someone who sees the glass as half empty They look on the negative side of life!

General Vision and Viewpoint When you’re asked what the vision and viewpoint of a text is, you’re being asked to figure out ‘what is the outlook on life in this story?’ In order to figure this out you need to investigate: Is this a happy text or a sad one? Is the outlook on life optimistic or pessimistic? Is the author or director trying to show the world positively? Or negatively? Or both?

Thinking About Vision and Viewpoint Think about a favourite film of yours ……

Thinking About Vision and Viewpoint Write a paragraph about this film’s vision and viewpoint. Remember you are trying to investigate: Is this a happy film or a sad one? (Clue: Think about the ending or key moments in the film) Is the outlook on life optimistic or pessimistic? Is the director trying to show the world positively? Or negatively? Or both?

Thinking About Vision and Viewpoint Think about a second film that you like. Try to think about the vision and viewpoint for this film. Now try comparing and contrasting the vision and viewpoint of the two films you chose. REMEMBER! Don’t panic …

Thinking About Vision and Viewpoint You only have to write a few lines. You’re just getting the hang of comparing and contrasting under a specific heading. Think about: Were both films happy? Were both films sad? Did both films have moments of optimism AND pessimism? Did the ending of one film make you feel good about life or bad about life? What about the second film? Were there ways they were alike in their vision and viewpoint? Were there were times they were NOT alike in their vision and viewpoint?

Congratulations! You have just finished your second comparative study! And you have compared and contrasted under a specific heading (Vision and Viewpoint)

One last thing! Linking Phrases: In order to highlight to the examiner that you are finding links (comparisons or contrasts) between your texts, you must use linking phrases. You naturally did this when comparing the apple and banana. However, it is important that you don’t repeat the same words and phrases over and over. When answering a comparative question use the following list of linking phrases to ensure you are always making links and that you aren’t repeating yourself.

Linking Phrases Comparing 'In all three texts . . . .' ”I notice in both X and Y…” ”Both authors use…” ”Similarly” 'Both . . . . ' 'This compares well with' 'In exactly the same way' ”Again in . . . ' ”The situation in X is very like…” ”A similar event occurs…” ”The two texts are linked by…” ” This somewhat like.” ”This echoes …. ” ”This links …..” ”This is the same as …..” “In a similar way …….” Etc.

Linking Phrases Contrasting ‘This differs from . . .‘ 'However‘ 'On the other hand’ 'Unlike‘ 'Whereas‘ ”The situation in X is very different from …” ”In contrast with …” ”X is… but Y is ….” ”The situation is very different in… “The situation is handled differently in…” “On the other hand” Etc.

You are now ready to read your first comparative text ….