comparing texts
4 detailed 50-minute lessons with teaching scripts, worked examples, parent guides, and assessment criteria.
Lesson Overview
Total Lessons: 4
Tier: Foundation and Higher
Duration: 50 minutes per lesson (200 minutes total)
Exam Boards: AQA, Edexcel, OCR, Eduqas, CCEA
Tier: Foundation and Higher
Duration: 50 minutes per lesson (200 minutes total)
Exam Boards: AQA, Edexcel, OCR, Eduqas, CCEA
Learning Objectives
- Explain the key ideas of comparing texts
- Apply comparing texts to exam-style questions
- Develop independent study skills
- Build cross-topic connections
Prerequisites
- Read the revision notes for comparing texts first (GCSE Revise summary)
- Key vocab to pre-teach: Examiner's Tip, Comparison Exam Strategy
- Basic skills: reading the summary notes and answering the practice questions there
Materials & Equipment
- Exercise book, coloured pens
- Ruler
- Printed revision notes (link below)
- Internet for videos (see Resources)
Lesson 1: Introduction: comparing texts
Duration: 50 minutes
Starter Activity (5 minutes)
Quick Recall
Write down everything you already know about comparing texts. Then check against the key terms: Examiner's Tip, Comparison Exam Strategy. Use a mini-whiteboard or paper.
Main Content (35 minutes)
Parent/Teacher Guide:
Before lesson: Read the script below. Pre-teach key vocab: Examiner's Tip, Comparison Exam Strategy.
If stuck: Re-read the revision notes (link above), then break the content into smaller steps.
Extension: See the Stretch & Challenge ideas in Lesson 4.
Before lesson: Read the script below. Pre-teach key vocab: Examiner's Tip, Comparison Exam Strategy.
If stuck: Re-read the revision notes (link above), then break the content into smaller steps.
Extension: See the Stretch & Challenge ideas in Lesson 4.
Teaching Script (35 mins):
Mins 0-5 - Hook: "Today: comparing texts. By the end you will be able to answer exam questions on it unaided. It connects to the rest of English Language because the ideas here recur across the spec."
Mins 5-20 - Direct Instruction: Work through the core ideas below one at a time; after each, ask your student to explain it back in their own words.
Mins 20-30 - Guided Practice: Model the worked example together, then let your student attempt the first practice question with guidance.
Mins 30-35 - Independent Practice: 2-3 practice questions from Lesson 3 below, with immediate feedback.
Mins 0-5 - Hook: "Today: comparing texts. By the end you will be able to answer exam questions on it unaided. It connects to the rest of English Language because the ideas here recur across the spec."
Mins 5-20 - Direct Instruction: Work through the core ideas below one at a time; after each, ask your student to explain it back in their own words.
Mins 20-30 - Guided Practice: Model the worked example together, then let your student attempt the first practice question with guidance.
Mins 30-35 - Independent Practice: 2-3 practice questions from Lesson 3 below, with immediate feedback.
First Look
Start with the revision notes summary, then attempt: What are the two main things you should compare between texts?
Plenary (5 minutes)
Check Out
Your student states one thing they learned and one question they still have about comparing texts.
Lesson 2: Core Concepts: comparing texts
Duration: 50 minutes
Starter Activity (5 minutes)
Review Previous Lesson
Quick recap: write 3 key points from Lesson 1 on comparing texts. Check them against the notes below.
Main Content (35 minutes)
Definition: Comparison involves identifying similarities and differences between texts, considering perspectives, methods, and how writers convey their viewpoints.
Write about both texts in each paragraph, using comparative connectives to link them.
Examiner's Tip: You must compare BOTH perspectives AND methods. Use evidence from both texts equally. Spend about 20-25 minutes on this question.
Comparison Exam Strategy: This is AQA Paper 2 Q4 (16 marks) - spend 20-25 minutes. You must compare BOTH perspectives AND methods. Use an integrated approach: write about both texts in every paragraph, using comparative connectives (however, similarly, whereas, in contrast). Read both texts first and annotate them side by side. Identify each writer's viewpoint, then find 2-3 points of comparison. Examiners reward responses that weave comparison throughout, not those that write about each text separately.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Formal | Authoritative, serious, credible |
| Informal | Relatable, conversational, accessible |
| Emotive | Passionate, persuasive, moving |
| Objective | Balanced, factual, neutral |
| Similarly | However |
| Likewise | In contrast |
| Both | Whereas |
| Equally | On the other hand |
Practice (10 minutes)
Q: What are the two main things you should compare between texts?
Answer: Perspectives (viewpoints) and methods (how they convey those viewpoints).
Plenary (5 minutes)
Explain Back
Your student teaches the key points back to you without looking. Fill any gaps immediately.
Lesson 3: Application: comparing texts
Duration: 50 minutes
Starter Activity (5 minutes)
Quick Recall
Recall the key terms: Examiner's Tip, Comparison Exam Strategy. Define each in one sentence.
Main Content (35 minutes)
Parent/Teacher Guide: Let your student attempt each question alone first, then compare with the model answer. Award method marks for correct working even if the final answer is wrong.
Q1: What are the two main things you should compare between texts?
Answer: Perspectives (viewpoints) and methods (how they convey those viewpoints).
Q2: What is the difference between an integrated approach and writing about texts separately?
Answer: Integrated approach compares within each paragraph using connectives; separate approach writes about each text individually without comparing.
Q3: Name three comparative connectives for showing differences.
Answer: However, in contrast, whereas, on the other hand, unlike.
Q4: Why should you use evidence from both texts?
Answer: To show you can analyse both texts and make valid comparisons - it proves your comparison is based on evidence.
Plenary (5 minutes)
Error Review
Review any questions answered incorrectly. Identify whether the error was knowledge, method, or reading the question.
Lesson 4: Exam Practice: comparing texts
Duration: 50 minutes
Starter Activity (5 minutes)
Command Words
Review what these command words require: state (one point), describe (say what happens), explain (say why), compare (both sides), evaluate (judgement).
Main Content (35 minutes)
Exam-Style Question
Attempt a past-paper style question on comparing texts from the exam board past paper finder (see Resources), then mark it against the scheme.
Exam Tips: Read both texts and identify each writer's viewpoint | Use comparative connectives throughout | Write about both texts in each paragraph | Compare methods as well as perspectives | Quote from both texts equally | Look for similarities AND differences | Don't analyse language in depth - focus on comparison
Common Errors: Watch Out! Students often write about each text in separate paragraphs, treating them as two mini-essays. Wrong: A paragraph about Source A, then a paragraph about Source B with no links between them. Correct: "While Source A presents city life as vibrant and exciting through the metaphor of 'a symphony of noise,' Source B rejects this romanticism, describing the city as 'a concrete cage' - the contrast in metaphors reveals fundamentally opposed perspectives." Students often compare content only, ignoring the writers' methods. Wrong: "Source A says the city is good. Source B says the city is bad." Correct: "Source A persuades through sensory celebration, while Source B uses emotive language
Stretch & Challenge (Grade 8-9):
- Synoptic links: explain how comparing texts connects to another English Language topic you have studied
- Real-world: research one real-world use or example of comparing texts
- Critical: "What are the limitations of the models used in comparing texts?"
Plenary (5 minutes)
Assessment Criteria
- Got it: Confident explanation + correct worked examples
- Getting there: Main points OK, needs support with detail
- Not yet: Confused on key concepts - re-run Lesson 2
Homework & Consolidation
- Consolidation: Re-answer any Lesson 3 practice questions answered incorrectly (20 mins)
- Retrieval: Write flashcards for the key terms: Examiner's Tip, Comparison Exam Strategy (10 mins)
- Exam practice: One past-paper question on comparing texts from the board websites (15 mins)
- Extension: Explain comparing texts to someone else in your own words (10 mins)