AQA · GCSE · English Literature
Course version: 8702 · Version from Sept 2015
Skills - Reading comprehension and reading critically: comparing texts: comparing and contrasting texts studied, referring where relevant to theme, characterisation, context (where known), style and literary quality; comparing two texts critically with respect to the above
This skill involves comparing and contrasting two texts you have studied, focusing on theme, characterisation, context (when known), style, and literary quality.
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
This skill involves comparing and contrasting two texts you have studied, focusing on theme, characterisation, context (when known), style, and literary quality. You need to make critical comparisons, not just list similarities and differences. For example, you might compare how two poets present the theme of conflict, or how two novelists use characterisation to explore social class. You should refer to context where relevant, such as the historical or social background that influenced the texts. Style includes the writer’s use of language, structure, and form. Literary quality involves evaluating the texts’ artistic merit and effectiveness. Your comparison should be integrated, discussing both texts together rather than separately. This skill is assessed in your ability to make perceptive comparisons and to use textual evidence to support your points.
What earns the marks
- Compare and contrast themes across two texts, exploring similarities and differences in how they are presented.
- Analyse characterisation in both texts, comparing how characters are developed and their roles.
- Refer to context where relevant, comparing how social, historical, or cultural factors influence the texts.
- Compare stylistic features such as language, structure, and form, and evaluate their effects.
- Evaluate the literary quality of both texts, making judgements about their effectiveness.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Separate discussions of each text.
Put it right: Integrate comparisons throughout, using connectives like ‘similarly’, ‘whereas’, ‘both’.
Ignoring context when it is relevant.
Put it right: Include contextual points where they enhance comparison, but avoid irrelevant biographical detail.
Superficial comparisons: stating obvious similarities without critical analysis.
Put it right: Explore deeper implications and evaluate significance.
Exam tips
- Use comparative connectives to structure your response.
- Select precise evidence from both texts to support your comparisons.
- Consider the writer’s intentions and the effects on the reader in both texts.
Try the lesson
The start of the Skills - Reading comprehension and reading critically: comparing texts: comparing and contrasting texts studied, referring where relevant to theme, characterisation, context (where known), style and literary quality; comparing two texts critically with respect to the above lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
When comparing two texts, which approach best addresses theme?
Listen
This skill involves comparing and contrasting two texts you have studied, focusing on theme, characterisation, context (when known), style, and literary quality. You need to make critical comparisons, not just list similarities and differences. For example, you might compare how two poets present the theme of conflict, or how two novelists use characterisation to explore social class. You should refer to context where relevant, such as the historical or social background that influenced the texts. Style includes the writer’s use of language, structure, and form. Literary quality involves evaluating the texts’ artistic merit and effectiveness. Your comparison should be integrated, discussing both texts together rather than separately. This skill is assessed in your ability to make perceptive comparisons and to use textual evidence to support your points. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Compare and contrast themes across two texts, exploring similarities and differences in how they are presented. Analyse characterisation in both texts, comparing how characters are developed and their roles. Refer to context where relevant, comparing how social, historical, or cultural factors influence the texts. Compare stylistic features such as language, structure, and form, and evaluate their effects. A common slip: Separate discussions of each text: writing about one text then the other without linking. Instead, integrate comparisons throughout, using connectives like ‘similarly’, ‘whereas’, ‘both’. Exam tip: Use comparative connectives to structure your response.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Comparative analysis
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Themes and characterisation
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Contextual influences
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Style and literary quality
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Comparative analysis
- Comparing and contrasting texts studied, referring where relevant to theme, characterisation, context, style and literary quality, and comparing two texts critically with respect to the above.
- Themes and characterisation
- Comparing and contrasting how themes are presented and how characters are developed and their roles, exploring similarities and differences across two texts.
- Contextual influences
- Referring where relevant to context, such as the historical or social background that influenced the texts, and comparing how social, historical or cultural factors influence them.
- Style and literary quality
- Style includes the writer's use of language, structure and form, while literary quality involves evaluating the texts' artistic merit and effectiveness.
There is more to this lesson
The full lesson goes on to check your understanding and help you earn the marks. Create a free account to carry on, with your progress saved.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge
Test your understanding of Skills - Reading comprehension and reading critically: comparing texts: comparing and contrasting texts studied, referring where relevant to theme, characterisation, context (where known), style and literary quality; comparing two texts critically with respect to the above
Active recall beats re-reading. Take an instant quiz now to test what you’ve learned and lock it into long-term memory.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge