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)
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Text B non- fiction
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Text C transcript
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Lexical features
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Use of imagery
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Phonological features
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Grammar and syntax
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Structure / cohesion
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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 .
