Question 4: Comment On
Comparisons
There will be much similarities and dissimilarity between the different sources. Aim to seek out ideas that are beyond surface level and not so obvious. Explore how such ideas are presented and addressed in Source A in contrast to Source B.
You may consider comparing:
Purpose
Why has the writer produced this text? Do they aim to explain, inform, argue, persuade or entertain?
Audience
Who is the intended audience? Why are specifically targeting this demographic?
Intention and Achievements
In writing this text, what does the writer intend to achieve?
Are they successful in their accomplishments? Has the target audience benefited from the information in the text?
Subjects, Themes, Ideas, Issues, Opinions
What are the main ideas that the writer is addressing and conveying? Are these issues really worthy of consideration?
Style of Approach, Tone
In what manner does the writer convey the information? Is this tone aggressive and demeaning or light-hearted? Does this affect the intended audience’s reception?
Use a variety of comparative conjunctions throughout your response.
Some suitable ones are:
- Similarly
- Both
- Likewise
- In the Same Way
- However
- Whereas
- Moreover
- In Contrast To
Viewpoints & Perspectives
You need to consider the writer’s intention for writing the text. How do they feel about the subject that has prompted them to write this text? What is their position on the issue; angry, disappointed, nostalgic? Attitudes can vary through a text so you need to discern the level of emotion they feel in response to the issue. A logical way is track changes is if you analyse the text in chronological order.
Methods
Literary texts are constructed of deliberate choices made by the writer to present an important subject. As you read a text you are looking for thought-provoking devices both language and structure techniques that are rich in meaning. The writer’s craft intends to evoke emotional responses from the reader.
Familiarise yourself with such methods as:
- Settings
- Characters
- Events
- Ideas and Themes
- Vocabulary Choices
- Language Techniques
- Sentence/Paragraph Structures
- Form
- Genre
Explore and analyse the role each device plays in developing the text and the effects that they create. The deeper you dig for valuable meaning and writer’s intention, the more rewarding your responses will be!
- What are you are you looking for, when comparing?
- Your answer should include: Similarity / Dissimilarity
- What is a logical approach to analysing changes in attitude?
- Your answer should include: Beginning / Chronological
- What must remember about all literature?
- Your answer should include: Constructed / Crafted / Deliberate / Choices