1. Comparing texts

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

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

8. 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

9. 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.

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

11. 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 

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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, ______________________________________________________________.

15. 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.