How do I revise Comparative and contextual study for OCR A-Level?

Ensure you range across both texts in your comparative essay rather than treating them separately

What exam tips are there for Comparative and contextual study? (2)

Use the 'best fit' principle when considering the level descriptors for marking

What exam tips are there for Comparative and contextual study? (3)

Ensure your argument is sustained and coherent throughout the essay

What mistakes should I avoid in Comparative and contextual study?

Failing to integrate quotations effectively into the argument

What are common errors in Comparative and contextual study exams? (2)

Lacking a clear line of development in the comparative argument

Comparative and contextual study

OCR

A-Level

The 'Women in Literature' topic within Component 02 (Comparative and contextual study) requires learners to study two whole texts, at least one of which must be from the core set text list (Jane Austen's 'Sense and Sensibility' or Virginia Woolf's 'Mrs Dalloway'). Learners explore how women are represented, the significance of cultural and contextual influences on the writing and reception of these texts, and how attitudes and values are expressed.

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

Key Terms

Mark Points

Subtopics in this area

Comparative and contextual study

Topic Overview

Comparative and contextual study is a core component of OCR A-Level English Literature, requiring students to explore connections between two texts—one pre-1900 and one post-1900—while considering their historical, social, and literary contexts. This unit develops critical skills in analysing how texts reflect and challenge the values of their time, and how themes such as love, power, or identity evolve across periods. By juxtaposing works like Shakespeare's 'The Tempest' with Margaret Atwood's 'Hag-Seed', students learn to evaluate literary traditions and the dialogue between texts.

This topic matters because it moves beyond isolated analysis to foster a deeper understanding of literature as a conversation across centuries. It trains students to synthesise evidence, compare structural and linguistic choices, and evaluate how context shapes meaning—skills essential for top marks in the exam. The comparative element also mirrors university-level study, preparing students for critical thinking in higher education.

Within the wider subject, comparative and contextual study complements other A-Level components like drama and poetry, as it often draws on similar analytical frameworks. It encourages students to see literature as dynamic and responsive to cultural shifts, making it a cornerstone of the OCR syllabus. Mastery of this unit demonstrates a student's ability to handle complexity and nuance, key traits for achieving A* grades.

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

Analysis of how writers shape meanings through language, form, and structure
Demonstration of understanding of the significance and influence of contexts in which texts were written and received
Articulating informed, personal, and creative responses using associated concepts and terminology
Effective communication of knowledge, understanding, and judgement of unseen extracts
Exploration of contrasts, connections, and comparisons between literary texts
Exploration of texts informed by different interpretations
Analysis of ways in which writers shape meanings (AO2)
Demonstration of understanding of the significance and influence of contexts in which texts are written and received (AO3)

Marking Points

Key points examiners look for in your answers

Analysis of how writers shape meanings through language, form, and structure
Demonstration of understanding of the significance and influence of contexts in which texts were written and received
Articulating informed, personal, and creative responses using associated concepts and terminology
Effective communication of knowledge, understanding, and judgement of unseen extracts
Exploration of contrasts, connections, and comparisons between literary texts
Exploration of texts informed by different interpretations
Analysis of ways in which writers shape meanings (AO2)
Demonstration of understanding of the significance and influence of contexts in which texts are written and received (AO3)
Exploration of connections across literary texts (AO4)
Exploration of literary texts informed by different interpretations (AO5)
Articulating informed, personal, and creative responses using associated concepts and terminology (AO1)
Communicating knowledge, understanding, and judgement of unseen extracts fluently and accurately (AO1/AO2/AO3)
Analysis of ways in which writers shape meanings (AO2)
Demonstration of understanding of the significance and influence of contexts in which literary texts are written and received (AO3)
Exploration of connections across literary texts (AO4)
Exploration of literary texts informed by different interpretations (AO5)
Articulate informed, personal and creative responses using associated concepts and terminology (AO1)
Coherent, accurate written expression (AO1)
Effective communication of knowledge, understanding, and judgement of unseen extracts (AO1/AO2/AO3)
Analysis of ways in which writers shape meanings (AO2)
Demonstration of understanding of the significance and influence of contexts in which literary texts are written and received (AO3)
Exploration of connections across literary texts (AO4)
Exploration of literary texts informed by different interpretations (AO5)
Articulate informed, personal and creative responses using associated concepts and terminology (AO1)
Communication of knowledge, understanding and judgement of unseen extracts fluently and effectively
Analysis of how writers shape meanings through language, form, and structure
Demonstration of understanding of the significance and influence of contexts in which texts are written and received
Articulating informed, personal, and creative responses using associated concepts and terminology
Effective communication of knowledge, understanding, and judgement of unseen extracts
Exploration of contrasts, connections, and comparisons between literary texts
Exploration of texts informed by different interpretations

Examiner Tips

Expert advice for maximising your marks

💡Ensure you range across both texts in your comparative essay rather than treating them separately
💡Use the 'best fit' principle when considering the level descriptors for marking
💡Ensure your argument is sustained and coherent throughout the essay
💡Use footnotes and a bibliography to acknowledge secondary sources and contextual material
💡Focus on how the writer shapes meaning rather than just identifying literary devices
💡Ensure you have studied at least two whole texts, with at least one from the core set text list (The Great Gatsby or The Grapes of Wrath)
💡Practice close reading skills on unseen prose extracts regularly
💡Use the 'best fit' principle when considering the marking criteria
💡Ensure your comparative essay ranges across both texts throughout the response
💡Use footnotes and a bibliography for secondary sources if used in non-exam assessment, though this is a closed-text exam component
💡Ensure a balanced study of the two chosen texts, avoiding overlap with the non-exam assessment component
💡Practice close reading skills using unseen prose extracts to prepare for Task 1
💡Use the 'best fit' principle when applying marking criteria
💡Ensure all quotations and references are critically addressed and blended into the discussion
💡Explicitly synthesize insights gained from the study of the texts to demonstrate synoptic understanding
💡Acknowledge secondary sources and contextual material using footnotes and a bibliography in the comparative essay
💡Ensure a balanced study of the two texts, focusing on contrasts and connections
💡Use the 'best fit' principle when applying marking criteria
💡Ensure contextual material is relevant to the task and the texts
💡Practice close reading skills on unseen prose extracts regularly
💡Use footnotes and a bibliography to acknowledge secondary sources and contextual material
💡Ensure you have a balanced study of the two chosen texts to facilitate deep comparison
💡Practice close reading skills on a variety of unseen prose extracts to build confidence
💡Use the 'best-fit' approach when considering the marking criteria
💡Ensure your comparative essay ranges across both texts rather than treating them in isolation
💡Use footnotes and a bibliography for any secondary sources or contextual material used in the comparative essay
💡Focus on how writers shape meaning through specific structural and linguistic choices

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

Failing to integrate quotations effectively into the argument
Lacking a clear line of development in the comparative argument
Neglecting to address the significance of context in relation to the specific task
Providing a descriptive summary of the texts rather than a critical analysis
Failing to use critical concepts and terminology accurately
Failing to integrate quotations effectively into the argument
Neglecting to explore different interpretations of the texts
Lacking a clear, sustained line of argument in the comparative essay
Treating the two texts in isolation rather than making meaningful comparisons
Over-reliance on biographical context without connecting it to the text's meaning
Failing to integrate quotations effectively into the discussion
Lacking a clear line of development in the comparative argument
Neglecting to explore different interpretations of the texts
Treating texts in isolation rather than making meaningful connections
Inconsistent use of critical concepts and terminology
Significant deviation from the recommended word count leading to lack of coherence or concision
Failing to integrate quotations and references critically into the discussion
Lacking a clear, developed argument in the comparative essay
Neglecting to explore different interpretations of the texts
Providing a superficial understanding of contextual influences
Writing responses that significantly differ from the recommended word count, leading to a lack of coherence or concision
Failing to integrate quotations effectively into the argument
Neglecting to address the significance of context in relation to the texts
Lacking a clear, sustained line of argument in the comparative essay
Over-reliance on narrative summary rather than critical analysis
Failing to use appropriate literary terminology
Ignoring the 'unseen' nature of the close reading task by relying on pre-prepared knowledge

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions students ask about this topic

Likely Command Words

How questions on this topic are typically asked

Analyse

Compare

Explore

Discuss

Evaluate

Consider

Ready to test yourself?

Practice questions tailored to this topic

Comparative and contextual study

Subtopics in this area

Topic Overview

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in OCR A-Level English Literature

Beloved

Literature post-1900

Literature post-1900

Drama and poetry pre-1900

Comparative and contextual study

Subtopics in this area

Topic Overview

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose which texts to compare for OCR A-Level English Literature comparative and contextual study?

What is the best way to structure a comparative essay for this topic?

How much context do I need to include in my essay?

Can I use the same quote for both texts in a comparison?

What if my two texts don't seem to have much in common?

How do I revise effectively for the comparative and contextual study exam?

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in OCR A-Level English Literature

Beloved

Literature post-1900

Literature post-1900

Drama and poetry pre-1900