Skip to content
Oak National Academy
Oak National Academy
Teachers
Pupils
New
New
Year 9

Creating comparative analytical paragraphs

I can write comparative paragraphs exploring the presentation of exploration and survival.

Download all resources
arrow-right
Share activities with pupils
arrow-right
New
New
Year 9

Creating comparative analytical paragraphs

I can write comparative paragraphs exploring the presentation of exploration and survival.

Download all resources
arrow-right
Share activities with pupils
arrow-right
warning

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.
View new resources
arrow-right

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

  • Systemic - systemic refers to patterns or structures deeply embedded within social institutions, norms, and attitudes

  • Sexism - discrimination, prejudice, or bias based on someone's gender, typically favouring one gender over another

  • Prevalent - something that is widespread, common, or frequently encountered

  • Subverting - challenging or overturning established norms, expectations or authority

  • 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.

This lesson contains texts previously read in other lessons, you may wish to give a recap of the key points to pupils. If the texts have not been read, you may wish to give time in the lesson to read them
Teacher tip

Equipment

You will need the extract from 'Around the World in 72 Days' and the article 'Megan Hine: the woman who helps keep Bear Grylls safe' available from the additional materials.

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

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

Skip lesson video

Loading...

Starter quiz

Download starter quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
When given an analytical essay question about a text or texts, it's helpful to the question, making short notes about its key words and your initial ideas.
Correct Answer: annotate
Q2.
When analysing non-fiction texts you will focus on a writer's methods. Match each of these selected methods to their meanings.
Correct Answer:rhetorical question,a sentence used to make a point and does not expect an answer

a sentence used to make a point and does not expect an answer

Correct Answer:direct address,the writer speaks directly to the reader or audience

the writer speaks directly to the reader or audience

Correct Answer:direct quotation,citing someone's exact words within quotation marks

citing someone's exact words within quotation marks

Correct Answer:first person,narrative voice that uses the pronouns 'I' and 'we'

narrative voice that uses the pronouns 'I' and 'we'

Correct Answer:emotive language,language use to evoke a specific feeling or emotion

language use to evoke a specific feeling or emotion

Q3.
Which word best completes this sentence comparing two texts: " Bly and Saner use descriptive adjectives to reveal the experiences of women."
Whilst
However
Conversley
Similar
Correct answer: Both
Q4.
Which words could complete this sentence comparing texts: "Bly uses a first person narrative perspective. , Saner uses a third person narrative perspective."
Ultimately
Correct answer: However
Both
Correct answer: Conversely
Similarly
Q5.
When writing an analytical paragraph which compares two texts, you should start with a which states the paragraph's main idea.
concluding sentence
thesis
Correct answer: topic sentence
summary
Q6.
What is a profile article?
an article analysing historical events
a piece discussing political ideologies
Correct answer: an in-depth narrative about a person: their life, achievements and personality
a report on scientific discoveries
a review of a recent film or book

Exit quiz

Download exit quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
Which word beginning with 's' can be described as challenging or overturning established norms, expectations or authority.
Correct Answer: subverting, subvert, subversion, subverted
Q2.
Starting with the first, put these sentences in order for a paragraph which starts by comparing two texts.
1 - Both Bly and Saner use their texts to explore the experiences of women.
2 - Bly focuses on her own experiences, and that of an investigative journalist.
3 - By contrast, Saner's article focuses on the life of a survival expert.
Q3.
In her book 'Around the World in 72 Days', Bly describes: "I was afraid that he would think the idea too wild and visionary." Which words are the adjectives in this sentence?
think
too
Correct answer: visionary
Correct answer: afraid
Correct answer: wild
Q4.
In comparative analytical paragraphs, what should the final sentence do?
introduce a new topic
summarise the main ideas of the whole essay
Correct answer: link back to the topic sentence
provide an unrelated anecdote
Q5.
What is true of comparative analytical paragraphs?
You should always compare the same methods from both texts.
Correct answer: You should compare throughout the paragraph, not just in the topic sentence.
You should use one quotation from each text.
You don't need to analyse methods, because comparison is the main method.
Q6.
When analysing texts, 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

Download additional material
We're sorry, but preview is not currently available. Download to see additional material.