Question 2 (OCR GCSE English Language): Revision Notes
📚Revision Notes
Question 2 Skills - Comparing Texts
Key Strategies
| Strategy | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Understand the Question | Identify key points for comparison (e.g., viewpoints, attitudes, perspectives). |
| Analyse Both Texts | Annotate texts, focusing on language, tone, structure, and context. |
| Use Comparative Language | Employ phrases like "Similarly," "In contrast," "Both writers," "Whereas," "On the other hand." |
| Focus on Key Elements | Compare perspectives, attitudes, viewpoints, and how they're conveyed through language and structure. |
| Provide Evidence | Use specific quotations to support comparisons, explaining their significance. |
| Analyse Techniques | Discuss literary and rhetorical techniques (imagery, metaphor, repetition) and their effects. |
| Discuss Context | Consider historical, cultural, or social context and its influence on the writers' perspectives. |
| Be Critical | Evaluate the effectiveness of the writers' methods in achieving their purpose. |
| Use Sophisticated Language | Write clearly and concisely with varied vocabulary and sentence structures. |
What Not to Do
| DON'T | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Summarise | Avoid summarising the texts; focus on analysis and comparison. |
| Make General Statements | Steer clear of vague statements; always provide specific evidence and analysis. |
| Ignore Context | Don't overlook the context in which the texts were written. |
| Over-Quote | Use short, relevant quotes instead of long ones. |
| Express Personal Opinions | Focus on analysing the writers' viewpoints, not your own. |
| Neglect Comparative Language | Ensure consistent use of comparative language to highlight similarities and differences. |
| Be Disorganised | Maintain a clear and coherent structure; avoid jumping between points without connections. |