1. Jacobean Revenge Tragedy
Lesson 7
LO: To explain and apply the criteria of an A level comparative paragraph

2. Starter
In pairs create a step by step guide on how to write an A Level style comparative paragraph.
Make sure you make it as simple to follow as possible – imagine you are telling someone who has never written an academic style paragraph before.
Step 1: Read the exam question.
Step 2: Highlight or underline the key ideas in the question.
Step 3: Decide on your line of argument: do you agree/disagree
Step 4: Identify and explain a point of comparison between the texts that either supports or refutes your argument.
Step 5: Find your supporting evidence from text 1
Step 6: Explain how this supports your point
Step 7: Add relevant context
Step 8: Add critical material which supports your point
Argue against?
Step 9: Link forward to second text
Step 10: repeat steps 5-8
Step 11: link back to question and forward to second point of comparison.

3. Quick task
In the opening scenes of The Duchess of Malfi and selected poems of Christina Rossetti the writers present women as ‘sexual beings who pursue their own desires in spite of the consequences’ In light of this view, explore the ways in which the writers present women.
Spend 5-8 minutes planning your response to this. (3/4 comparative points)
Try to avoid using your texts, but do if you have to.

4. Writing task
In the opening scenes of The Duchess of Malfi and selected poems of Christina Rossetti the writers present women as ‘sexual beings who pursue their own desires in spite of the consequences’ In light of this view, explore the ways in which the writers present women.
You now have 25 minutes to write up one of your comparisons.
Remember though you will need to reduce this time for the exam. We will aim for around 16 minutes per comparison.
Christina Rossetti’s Soeur Louise de la Misericord

5. Check your learning Read someone else’s paragraph.
After you have read the paragraph on your post it note write a WWW/EBI/ or What you have learnt from reading that person’s work.
Then pass on and read another one. Repeat the post it note task.

6. Homework Spend 21 minutes writing up an additional comparison at home.
Take on the feedback given today and what you have learnt through the others.