Reading: Comparing Texts
Reading: Comparing Texts Revision
Comparing Texts
Having one text will not always provide a full picture of the issue.
As a result, using more than one text can be a great way to gain this extra information.
Make sure you are happy with the following topics before continuing:
- Reading: Text Types
- Reading: Presentational Features
- Reading: Language Features
- Reading: Fact or Opinion?
- Reading: Types of and Navigating Sources
- Reading: Styles of Writing and Voice
- Reading: Point of View and Line of Argument
- Writing: Grammar
- Writing: Assessing Audience
But, what do we compare?
When comparing more than one text, you will need to weigh up the similarities and differences.
For example, you could choose to compare the information they provide.
However, the information in each text may not always be enough to compare.
Instead, you may also need to identify techniques such as:
- Bias
- Opinions
- Formality
- Tone
- Text Type
- Presentational features
- Facts
- Linguistic features
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Quoting
You may also be asked to extract evidence from given texts.
This will require finding a sentence, word, or theme in the text, which answers the question or strengthens previous answers.
For example:
”Provide a quotation from Text A and Text B which show that the writers are fed up with the behaviour of their next door neighbours.”
Potential answers may be:
- “Text A: ‘My children are not getting any sleep’.”
- “Text B: ‘It is never-ending stress’.”
Example: Comparing Texts
Let’s compare these two texts about alcohol, look closely!
- They have the same topic, audience and aim
- One uses more persuasive language – e.g., using an instruction word
- They have different presentational features – e.g., one includes a bullet pointed list.
- They use different levels of bias – One of the texts is clearly biased
Can you identify which text each of these comparisons belong to?
See what else you can find!
Additional Resources
Exam Tips Cheat Sheet
FS Level 2Reading: Comparing Texts Worksheet and Example Questions
Reading: Comparing Texts L2
FS Level 2NewOfficial PFSRevision Products
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