VCE Stuff > VCE English & EAL

English Comparative

(1/1)

hdfgh:
Hey,
I am a bit stuck on the essay structure at which i have to use in order to construct a comparative essay
am I allowed to do the following:
Introduction
Paragraph 1: Text a+b discussing similarities on a specific theme
Paragraph 2: Text a+b discussing differences on a specific theme
Paragraph 3: Text a+b discussing similarities on a specific theme
Conclusion

Julian_Ln:

--- Quote from: hdfgh on September 07, 2021, 05:13:24 pm ---Hey,
I am a bit stuck on the essay structure at which i have to use in order to construct a comparative essay
am I allowed to do the following:
Introduction
Paragraph 1: Text a+b discussing similarities on a specific theme
Paragraph 2: Text a+b discussing differences on a specific theme
Paragraph 3: Text a+b discussing similarities on a specific theme
Conclusion

--- End quote ---

Hi, yes you are allowed to do that and there is nothing wrong with it. Although just as a recommendation (take it as a grain of salt), you might feel like that structure won't work for all topics. Perhaps another way is to have

P1: Theme 1 - similarity + difference
P2: Theme 2 - similarity + difference
P3: Theme 3 - similarity + difference

 (e.g. how do both texts explore the aspects of this theme in the same way or different way - like they could both have the same ideas but one could use different literary / filmic techniques. But basically the point is, for any given theme, yes there can be similarities and differences, but it is never 100% similar or 100% different, so that's why its good to focus on both for each theme.)

This is the structure I used in the exam, a sample essay using this structure is in the description of this youtube video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IymGo4NveDo&ab_channel=JLTutoring

Hope this helps,

J

TSEtuition:
Hi hdfgh, yes you can use a structure like that! It's what is commonly called an 'integrated' essay structure. You might also want to brush up on a 'block' structure, which is:

BP 1: how prompt applies to Text A
BP 2: how prompt applies to Text B with reference to what you've discussed in BP 1
BP 3: how prompt applies to both Text A + Text B

My suggestion to students who struggle with the comparative is that you want to use a structure that's going to allow you the best chance of in-depth discussion. It's easier to discuss a lot of similarities between texts with an integrated approach, while a block approach gives you more space to talk about lots of differences at depth. I've got a (very old) video here but it's basically what I've just mentioned above: https://youtu.be/WJSQhOwU8gA

Hope that helps! :)

Navigation

[0] Message Index