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Comparative Essay Scaffold

scaffold for a comparative essay

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ElizabethRidgway
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33 views

Comparative Essay Scaffold

scaffold for a comparative essay

Uploaded by

ElizabethRidgway
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Comparative essay plan scaffold

A comparative essay analyses either similarities, or similarities and differences


but ultimately must make connections between ideas explored in both texts and
literary/film devices used.
Never use pronouns “I” or “my”. Do not write as if speaking to a friend and this
will help you maintain a formal tone.
Best strategy – Yes/but [2 paragraphs agreeing with the premise
and 1 paragraph challenging it] or No/but
[2 paragraphs challenging the premise
and 1 paragraph agreeing with it]

Working with the topic:


 Identify the key terms of the topic
 Work out what the topic is asking you
 Find synonyms of key terms
 Find antonyms of key terms
 Decide on 3 or 4 big ideas that respond to the topic with Yes/but or No/but
approach
 Think of similarities and differences in ideas, themes, characters in response to
the topic
 Think of examples/evidence/quotes that support your big ideas- link them to
literary devices

Introduction:
 One sentence about the text – keep it general
 Identify both authors and titles of texts
 Respond to the topic – agreeing/challenging the premise
 3 or 4 big ideas that will match the 3 or 4 ideas of your topic sentences of your body
paragraphs
 Use conjunctions and avoid a list approach
furthermore however therefore
also conversely thus
likewise on the other hand consequently

 Use words/phrases to show similarities and differences


Both Texts show …. While Text 1 demonstrates ….. Text 2
shows ……
The two authors explore Text 1 illustrates ….. however Text 2
explores
Text 1 shows …. similarly Text 2
demonstrates
Body of essay

Paragraph 1, 2, 3 & 4 follow same format

Topic Sentence – must link back to one of the big ideas in the introduction and relate
to both texts whether focussing on similarity or difference. Do not refer to characters.
Make sure
you do
not limit In a similar way Text 1 and Text 2 In contrast to Text 2, Text 1 depicts .…
your explore …
analysis to
major Text 1 and Text 2 characterise … While Text 1 explores …Text 2 portrays a
characters positive vision of …
, include Both Texts demonstrate the … Text 1 challenges …..whereas Text 2
minor
The poet also constructs …. Text 1 laments… while Text 2 celebrates
characters
Elaboration – Develop your Topic Sentence
Evidence/Quote - supporting your idea – Brief as possible– refer to technique
Explanation – show connection to Topic Sentence
Evidence/Quote supporting your idea – Brief as possible -refer to technique
Explanation – show connection to Topic Sentence
Evidence/Quote supporting your – Brief as possible - refer to technique
Explanation – show connection to Topic Sentence
Link back to Topic Sentence/Round off -referring to both texts. Focus on similarity or
difference

Both texts demonstrate … Text 1 differs from Text 2 …


The poet is reflecting values or beliefs Text 1’s appraisal of … contrasts with
such as … Text 2’s critiques of
Both Texts espouse that Text 1 implies that while Text 2
suggests that …

Conclusion:
L R
Re-work all your inking or ounding off sentences of all your body paragraphs.
Do not introduce anything new in your conclusion and do not repeat your introduction.

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