Writing a comparative response on the AQA Worlds and Lives anthology
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can write an successful answer comparing two poems from the Worlds and Lives anthology.
Key learning points
- Topic sentences must be comparative when comparing texts.
- Comparisons should be made between ideas, intentions, themes, and messages.
- Correlative and comparative conjunctions are a good way to signpost your comparative writing.
- Within paragraphs, evidence can move back and forth between the two poems and be linked with connectives.
- Drawing a direct comparison of quotations should take place at least once across the essay.
Keywords
Discourse marker - a word or phrase used to link ideas and signpost the direction of the writing
Comparative - measured or judged by estimating the similarity or dissimilarity between one thing and another
Inference - a conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning
Topic sentence - explains the focus or main idea of an analytical paragraph
Common misconception
That you should write about each poem separately.
While writing about one poem at a time is one way to approach a comparison, it's usually more effective to weave your comparisons of the poems through the whole answer.
Teacher tip
You might like to give the students sentence starters in order to help them start and structure their writing.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the AQA World and Lives anthology for this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the poem 'Name Journeys' about?
Q2.Textual detail in a written response is ...
Q3.Which example is comparative?
Q4.Starting with the first, order the elements of a single paragraph outline in to chronological order.
Q5.A conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning is known as an .
Q6.Which of these are examples of comparative discourse markers?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the key terms to their definitions.
a word or phrase whose job is to organise writing
showing similarities or differences
a conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning
explains the focus or main idea of an analytical paragraph
Q2.When writing a comparative response you should …
Q3.When comparing two texts ...
Q4.Which of these options is a correct pair of correlative conjunctions?
Q5.__________ must be comparative when comparing texts.
Q6.When comparing poems your comparisons should focus on ...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Writing a comparative response on the AQA Worlds and Lives anthology, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Writing a comparative response on the AQA Worlds and Lives anthology, 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 'World and Lives' unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.