Making Comparisons (Scottish Highers English): Revision Notes
Making comparisons
What is the comparison question?
In the Higher RUAE exam, you will encounter a question that asks you to compare two passages. This question requires you to read both texts carefully and identify where the writers hold similar views or where they disagree. The comparison question is worth 5 marks, which represents 16% of the total marks available in the exam. Understanding how to approach this question properly is essential for exam success.
The comparison question focuses entirely on ideas and content. This means you should concentrate on what the writers are saying, not on how they are saying it. Language analysis has no place in this answer.
The question will typically state the theme or subject that both passages discuss, then ask you to identify specific areas where the writers agree or disagree.
Understanding the mark scheme
The marks you receive depend on how thoroughly you identify key areas and how well you support your points with evidence from both passages.
- For 5 marks: You must identify three or more key areas thoroughly, with detailed and well-developed textual support from both passages. Your evidence should be precisely selected and your explanation should show a comprehensive understanding of how the passages relate to each other on each point.
- For 4 marks: You must identify three or more key areas with clear textual support. Your references should be relevant and your explanation should demonstrate understanding, though perhaps not as fully developed as the top band.
- For 3 marks: You must identify three or more key areas with relevant supporting evidence. Your points should be valid and supported, but the explanation may be less detailed.
To achieve full marks, you need to provide precise textual support alongside fully developed commentary that demonstrates comprehensive understanding of the relationship between the passages.
How to answer the comparison question
Follow this two-step method when answering:
Step 1: Identify areas of agreement or disagreement
Read both passages carefully and look for three or more distinct points where the writers share similar views or hold different positions. These should be substantial ideas, not minor details. Each area you identify should represent a key aspect of the theme being discussed.
Step 2: Comment on and explain your evidence
For each area you identify, you must reference both passages and explain how they relate to your point. Your explanation should make clear why the evidence you have selected demonstrates agreement or disagreement between the writers.
Structuring your answer
You have two options for presenting your answer:
- Continuous prose: Write your response in paragraph form, discussing each key area in turn with supporting references to both passages.
- Developed bullet points: Present each key area as a separate bullet point, with sub-points showing the references to each passage.
Whichever format you choose, each point must be fully developed. A bullet point should not be a single sentence. It should contain a clear statement of the key area, followed by explanation and evidence from both passages.
Working with evidence
You do not need to quote directly from the passages, though you may do so if you believe it strengthens your answer. What matters is that you show clearly how your references to both passages support the key area you have identified.
When you reference a passage, explain what the writer says, not just where they say it. For example, rather than stating "Passage 1 mentions wormholes," you should explain: "Passage 1 discusses how wormholes might theoretically allow time travel if sufficient technology were available to construct them."
Your references must demonstrate understanding. Show what each writer says about the topic, then explain how these points relate to each other (whether they agree, disagree, or develop the idea in similar ways).
Example structure
Worked Example: Structuring Each Key Area
Here is how you might structure each key area in your answer:
Key area: State the point of agreement or disagreement clearly.
Reference to Passage 1: Explain what the first writer says about this area. Include relevant details that support your point.
Reference to Passage 2: Explain what the second writer says about this area. Show how this relates to what Passage 1 says.
For instance, if both writers agree that a particular scientific theory supports an idea, you would:
- State clearly what the shared view is
- Explain how Passage 1 presents this view, including specific details
- Explain how Passage 2 presents the same view, including specific details
- Ensure your explanation demonstrates that both writers are expressing the same idea, even if they use different examples or explanations
Building comprehensive answers
To achieve the highest marks, your answer must show depth of understanding. This means going beyond simply stating that both writers mention the same thing. You need to explain:
- What specific aspect of the topic each writer addresses
- How each writer develops their point
- Why this demonstrates agreement or disagreement
- What the significance of this shared or contrasting view is
Each key area should be distinct. Avoid identifying three points that are essentially variations of the same idea. Look for genuinely different aspects of the theme that both passages address.
Remember!
Key Points to Remember:
- The comparison question is worth 5 marks (16% of the exam), so allocate appropriate time to answer it thoroughly
- Focus on ideas and content, not language techniques or style
- You must identify at least three key areas where the passages agree or disagree
- Every key area must be supported with references to both passages
- Your evidence should be precise and your explanation should demonstrate comprehensive understanding of how the passages relate
- You can write in continuous prose or use developed bullet points, but each point must be fully explained
- Direct quotations are optional, but your references must clearly show what each writer says and how it supports your identified area