Using comparatives and superlatives to effectively compare non-fiction texts
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use comparative and superlatives adjectives to produce a detailed and evaluative comparison of two non-fiction texts.
Key learning points
- A great comparison analyses how the writers convey their ideas and perspectives of the events they are describing.
- It may use comparatives and superlatives to evaluate the texts against one another.
- Comparatives use either a 'more' prefix or '-er' suffix to directly compare two texts or ideas.
- Superlatives use a 'most' prefix or 'est' suffix to form conclusions about a text in comparison to others.
- Comparatives and superlatives let us explore the relationship between the texts instead of analysing each in isolation.
Keywords
Overarching - something so important it affects all other areas - in English, we refer to a writer’s overarching idea
Shift - when applied to perspective, this refers to a change in the writer’s perspective
Superlative adjectives - words that make value judgements about two or more things (e.g. 'most' or 'least')
Comparative adjectives - words that compare two or more thing, show how one is different from the other (e.g. 'more' or 'less')
Common misconception
Effective analysis writing explores the attitudes in the first text and then, in another paragraph, explores the attitudes in the second text.
The most effective comparative analysis writing will weave comparisons of both texts together. The response will ideally move between examples from each text, weighing up and evaluating the writer's choices in each.
Teacher tip
Students will need to have read both of the extracts to benefit from the exploration of the model answers in this lesson. There is time allocated in the lesson for students to read the texts, but you may wish to add in some extra time to explore the texts together and check for understanding.
Equipment
You will need access to the articles 'Are we having fun yet?' by Elizabeth Day (Telegraph, 2005) and 'Greenwich Fair' by Charles Dickens (1839). Both can be downloaded from the additional materials.
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.A comparison between two things is ...
Q2.What word beginning with 'P' is being described here: 'the way someone thinks or feels about a particular thing'?
Q3.What does it mean to evaluate two texts?
Q4.Who has written a text, when it was written and what form it is would all be are examples of information.
Q5.Which of the following words is a synonym for 'nuanced'?
Q6.When writing inferences, which of the options below could be useful synonyms for 'this suggests'?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is being described here: 'Words that make value judgements about two or more things (e.g. 'most' or 'east').'?
Q2.Which of the following are comparative adjectives?
Q3.What does it mean if a writer conveys a shift in their attitude?
Q4.Which of these sentences does not use a superlative?
Q5.Andeep was given a target to 'identify the writer's overarching idea in your introduction'. What does overarching mean here?
Q6.Why is it effective to explore both similarities and differences in your comparative analysis?
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Using comparatives and superlatives to effectively compare non-fiction texts, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Using comparatives and superlatives to effectively compare non-fiction texts, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 English lessons from the Non-fiction: changing views unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.