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Year 9

Comparing texts about World War One in comparative analytical paragraphs

I can write comparative analytical paragraphs exploring the presentation of World War One across two texts.

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Year 9

Comparing texts about World War One in comparative analytical paragraphs

I can write comparative analytical paragraphs exploring the presentation of World War One across two texts.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The opening of comparative paragraphs could start with a topic sentence which states the paragraph’s main idea.
  2. The next sentences of a comparative paragraph could focus on the differences between the two texts you wish to compare.
  3. Including multiple quotations from both texts is key to a comparative paragraph.
  4. Comparing the methods writers have used can help to develop the comparison.
  5. The final sentence of a comparative paragraph should link to the topic sentence.

Keywords

  • Generation - refers to people of about the same age: grandparents, parents and children are all different generations

  • Vacuous - empty, having no thought or intelligence

  • Complacent - smug, self-satisfied, uncritical of yourself

  • Criticism - expressing disapproval or disappointment with someone or something

  • Methods - the tools a writer uses to create their work; structure and language choices are the most significant examples

Common misconception

You should select one quotation from each text in a comparative paragraph.

Like in a powerful analytical paragraph, selecting multiple quotations from each text will help strengthen your argument. Selecting these quotations in the planning stage is key.

Consider the models. Do they focus on particular skills your pupils need to focus on? Would you prefer to focus on different texts that your pupils are more comfortable with?
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Teacher tip
equipment-required

Equipment

Pupils who wish to compare Ian Beck's 'Propping Up The Line' to another text need a copy of the 2014 edition of 'Stories of WW1' edited by Tony Bradman. Other texts are found in additional materials.

content-guidance

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
supervision-level

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

copyright

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on
Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
When given an analytical essay question about a text or texts, you should the question, making short notes about its key words and your initial ideas.
Correct Answer: annotate
Q2.
When analysing a text from the unit World at war: short stories, you will focus on a writer's methods. Match each of these selected methods to their meanings.
Correct Answer:metaphor,describing something by comparing it directly to something else
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describing something by comparing it directly to something else

Correct Answer:verbs,action words: doing or being words
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action words: doing or being words

Correct Answer:motif,a repeated image throughout a text
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a repeated image throughout a text

Correct Answer:symbolism,using something tangible to represent intangible ideas
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using something tangible to represent intangible ideas

Q3.
Which word best completes this sentence comparing 2 texts (World at war: short stories): " Mansfield and Beck choose a third person narrative voice for their short stories."
Whilst
However
Conversely
Similar
Correct answer: Both
Q4.
Which words could best complete this sentence comparing texts: "Mansfield's story takes place over a matter of moments. , Beck presents the whole of Alfred's life."
Ultimately
Correct answer: However
Both
Correct answer: Conversely
Similarly
Q5.
Which word, all important to Katherine Mansfield's 'The Fly' (Literary perspectives from the First World War) best describes someone who is shallow, empty and thoughtless?
Complacent
Correct answer: Vacuous
Infantile
Generational
Q6.
Which word, all important to Katherine Mansfield's 'The Fly' (Literary perspectives from the First World War), best describes someone who is self-satisfied?
Correct answer: Complacent
Vacuous
Infantile
Generational

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
When given an analytical essay question about a text or texts, knowledge of key terms will help you plan and write your essay. Match each term to its definition.
Correct Answer:topic sentence ,the first sentence of a paragraph stating its main idea
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the first sentence of a paragraph stating its main idea

Correct Answer:analysis,considering a text carefully and commenting on it
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considering a text carefully and commenting on it

Correct Answer:methods,tools a writer uses to create their work e.g. language and structure
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tools a writer uses to create their work e.g. language and structure

Correct Answer:concluding sentence ,the final sentence of a paragraph summarising its argument
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the final sentence of a paragraph summarising its argument

Q2.
Starting with the first, put these sentences in order for a paragraph which starts by comparing two texts (Literary perspectives from the First World War).
1 - Both Wilfred Owen and Katherine Mansfield use their work as a form of criticism.
2 - Owen uses his poems to undermine the belief that to die in war is noble.
3 - Mansfield is more ambiguous, but seems to criticise the older generation.
Q3.
Which word best completes this sentence comparing 2 texts: " Mansfield's and Beck's short stories were inspired by events in their own lives."
Whilst
However
Correct answer: Both
Similar
But
Q4.
Which words best complete this sentence comparing texts: "Mansfield's story is perhaps motivated by the loss of her brother, Beck was inspired by his grandfather."
Correct answer: Whilst
Correct answer: However
Both
Correct answer: Conversely
Similarly
Q5.
Which of these words, all important to Katherine Mansfield's 'The Fly' (Literary perspectives from the First World War) best describes someone who is childish?
complacent
vacuous
Correct answer: infantile
generation
Q6.
When analysing texts from the unit 'Literary perspectives from the First World War', you will use quotations. What is true of the way you could include quotations?
You should include one quotation per paragraph so you can explore it in detail.
Correct answer: You should link quotations from different parts of the text together.
Correct answer: You should select quotations that are rich in methods.
You should include long quotations, so you have enough to explore.
You should analyse every quotation you include.

Additional material

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