WRITING THE COMPARATIVE ESSAY FOR ELLA 3 SECTION A: The Unseen Comparison
A02 demonstrate
detailed critical understanding in analysing the ways in which structure, form
and language shape meanings in a range of spoken and written texts.
·
How does
the genre / mode influence the ways in which meaning is conveyed?
·
How is the
text organised?
·
How is
language used by the writer / speaker?
A03 use
integrated approaches to explore relationships between texts, analysing and
evaluating the significance of contextual factors in their productions and
reception
·
Compare
and contrast the texts – how are the texts similar / different?
·
Consider
the context (in which the text was produced and the audience it was produced
for). How are these contexts reflected
in the language choices made by the writers / speakers
Section 1 Introduction
Make a broad statement to provide a comparative overview of
each text. (Not necessarily in this
order!)
C contexts: what do the texts have in common in terms of their
genre (literary / non-literary) mode (spoken / written)? What differing effects do they achieve?
R register:-
how formal / informal is the style and language of each text – link to mode and
context.
A audience:-
who is the text for?
F function:-
what is the aim / purpose of each text?
T topic:-
what similar or different attitudes / values, thoughts / feelings are being
conveyed about the
topic?
Comparative grid for planning:
Text
A Literary
(ANCHOR – COULD BE)
|
Text
B non- fiction
|
Text
C transcript
|
|
Lexical
features
|
|||
Use
of imagery
|
|||
Phonological
features
|
|||
Grammar
and syntax
|
|||
Structure
/ cohesion
|
Paragraph Plan example (insects
texts)
1
Introduction
/ overview
2
Text
A: fiction / autobiographical style
/ 1st person – personal / subjective
use of low frequency
lexis / vivid vocab –impression of detailed knowledge /affection
use of imagery – strong
picture of …
presentation of
narrator’s thoughts – feelings of …..
foreshadowing - creates
interest / tension
3 Texts B and C travel – informative facts and info / humorous tone (examples) –
link = humour / anecdotal /
hyperbole
Spoken – anecdotal / hyperbole, dramatic – to entertain
(examples)
Section 2 The Anchor Text
TAKE 15 - 20 MINUTES – YOU MUST ALLOW
AN EQUAL AMOUNT OF TIME FOR EACH OF THE 3 TEXTS
Comment in detail on your anchor text. Select a good range of apt quotations to
explore and explain HOW the writer uses language to achieve effects. Make sure you cover:-
·
Lexical choices (look for significant uses of
vocabulary / identify word classes / explore connotations – effects)
·
Use of Imagery (use of simile / metaphor etc.
and their effects)
·
Phonological features (e.g. alliteration /
assonance etc. / prosodic features in
speech
·
Grammar and syntax (e.g. types of sentence /
rhetorical patterns / modifiers / spoken language features)
·
The structure of the text (e.g. how paragraphs
are used to develop / organise ideas or topics / turn taking in spontaneous interaction)
DO NOT WRITE A PARAGRAPH ABOUT EACH LINGUISTIC FEATURE SEPARATELY-
THEY NEED TO BE INTEGRATED.
DO SELECT THE KEY QUOTES FROM THE TEXT THAT PROVIDE INTERESTING POINTS
WITH A FOCUS ON MEANING / IDEAS.
THINK IN TERMS OF HOW THE TEXT OPEN, HOW IDEAS OR POINTS ARE DEVELOPED,
CLOSURE.
Section 3 Compare Texts 2 and 3
Now start your discussion of Texts 2 and 3: link back to the
first text, comparing different purposes and audiences – and therefore
different language choices.
Make comparisons with the first and second texts:
·
Lexical choices (compare significant uses of
vocabulary / identify word classes -
similarities or differences to first
text / explore connotations – effects) Does one text use more Standard / non
–Standard vocabulary – colloquialism etc.
·
Use of Imagery (use of simile / metaphor etc.
and their effects) – does one text use imagery more extensively – why /
different effects?
·
Grammar and syntax (e.g. types of sentence /
rhetorical patterns / modifiers / spoken language features)
Does one text use more Standard / non-
Standard sentence structures ?
·
Phonological features (e.g. alliteration /
assonance etc. / prosodic features in
speech
·
The structure of the text (e.g. how paragraphs
are used to develop / organise ideas or topics / turn taking in spontaneous interaction)
Section 4
Sum up your observations – how
does each text similarly / differently convey meaning / fulfil the aim or
purpose / address the audience .
