Are you confused about the difference between a Module A comparative essay and the other Modules’ essays? Well, you came to the right place! In this article, we will teach you how to write a comparative essay that will address the Module requirements and impress your markers! Show
How to write a comparative essay:Want a template to ace those comparative essays?Download the FREE Comparative Essay Template for a clear scaffold of a comparative essay PLUS recommended word counts for each section and annotations of an exemplar essay. Download your free comparative essay planner A structured planner to help you write exceptional comparative essay responses. Your planner is on the way! Check your email for the downloadable link. (Please allow a few minutes for your download to land in your inbox) What is a comparative essay?Comparative essays are essays that require you to examine similarities and differences between two or more different texts to find key themes and messages.
Remember, you will be expected to write paragraphs that compliment each other. This means that you can either write your essay in a divided approach or an integrated one. Don’t worry, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of these approaches in a moment. Okay, let’s learn how to write a comparative essay! Want a template to ace those comparative essays?Download the FREE Comparative Essay Template for a clear scaffold of a comparative essay PLUS recommended word counts for each section and annotations of an exemplar essay. Requirements of Module A: Textual Conversations‘Textual Conversations’ is a good metaphor for Module A because you are required to analyse a pair of texts. The first text is the original version, whereas the second text is usually a re-imagined/re-interpreted version of the original or a text that highly engages with the original. For example, Shakespeare’s Richard III is the original and Al Pacino’s Looking for Richard film comments on the original, and Romeo and Juliet is the original, whereas Gnomeo and Juliet is a re-imagined text.
Let’s take a quick look at NESA’s rubric to see what you need to do: In this module, students explore the ways in which the comparative study of texts can reveal resonances and dissonances between and within texts. Students consider the ways that a reimagining or reframing of an aspect of a text might mirror, align or collide with the details of another text. In their textual studies, they also explore common or disparate issues, values, assumptions or perspectives and how these are depicted. By comparing two texts students understand how composers (authors, poets, playwrights, directors, designers and so on) are influenced by other texts, contexts and values, and how this shapes meaning. Students identify, interpret, analyse and evaluate the textual features, conventions, contexts, values and purpose of two prescribed texts. As students engage with the texts they consider how their understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of both texts has been enhanced through the comparative study and how the personal, social, cultural and historical contextual knowledge that they bring to the texts influences their perspectives and shapes their own compositions. By responding imaginatively, interpretively and critically students explore and evaluate individual and common textual features, concepts and values. They further develop skills in analysing the ways that various language concepts, for example motif, allusion and intertextuality, connect and distinguish texts and how innovating with language concepts, form and style can shape new meaning. They develop appropriate analytical and evaluative language required to compose informed, cohesive responses using appropriate terminology, grammar, syntax and structure. By composing critical and creative texts in a range of modes and media, students develop the confidence, skills and appreciation to express a considered personal perspective. Source: Module A Rubric from NESA website Note: If you want to learn more about what Module A is, and break down the rubric, then check out our HSC Guide: Overview of Module A: Textual Conversations. In simple terms, the Module requires you to focus on 3 main things:
It is crucial that you adequately incorporate these 3 requirements in your Module A essays. Let’s briefly go through what this means for you. 1. Similarities and differencesIn the rubric, NESA asks you to explore the ‘resonances and dissonances’ between the two texts to find meaning. When you study the pair of texts together, their resonances and differences will be more noticeable. So, as you are reading or watching your texts for the 2nd or 3rd time, write notes on the similarities and differences between them. Then categorise them by themes or ideas, and analyse them in more detail. This will help you find relevant and comparable evidence when you are writing your essays.
The evidence from both texts must have a strong connection to each other and are comparable! Resonance (aka similarities) Think of resonance like an echo or reverberation. When a text has a resonance, it usually means that some aspect of another text is appearing, reflecting or being referenced. This can include themes, values, characters, storyline, setting, techniques, form, structure etc. However, like an echo, the resonance doesn’t have to be exactly the same as the original; there can be slight alterations. Dissonance (aka differences) Dissonances refer to different or clashing things. For example, Lion King is based on Shakespeare’s Hamlet. However, the setting, characters, and parts of the plot are entirely different. Often, a composer changes an aspect of the original/previous text to make a commentary. This can be influenced by the shifting contexts of the newer text, which will affect the values and social issues explored in the text. 2. ContextContext is a crucial element of Module A: Textual Conversations essays. This is one of the key features that distinguish a Module A essay from the other Modules.
For instance, the context includes:
These aspects of the context will ultimately influence the way a text is written, including:
When you are analysing both texts, you need to explore how the composer’s context ultimately shape their texts and compare the two. What you will find is that some things stay the same over time and many others change. These are important points to remember when you are writing your comparative essays. 3. Form, style, composition, and language conceptsLike every essay, you will need to analyse the texts’ form, style, composition, and techniques and see how it creates meaning and why. The rubric asks you to explore, interpret, analyse and evaluate the following:
Note: Definition is taken from NESA’s glossary. It is crucial that your analyses explore all these aspects to demonstrate your strong understanding of the two texts. Learn to write Band 6 Comparative Essays for your Trial exams!Find out more about Matrix English Course now.
Different structures: Integrated vs dividedWhile similar, not all comparative essays are the same – some take an integrated approach others a divided. As you already know, essays begin with an introduction, then body paragraphs and end with a conclusion. This is also the same for Module A comparative essays. However, there are different ways to structure your body paragraphs to draw out the resonances and dissonances between the two texts. They are integrated responses – with a discussion of both texts in a paragraph – or divided responses – analysis of each text in discrete paragraphs.
Both structures have their pros and cons. Let’s see what they are, and the steps for how to write a comparative essay using both structures. Integrated:An integrated essay will require you to analyse both texts within each themed body paragraph. Here is a flow chart for you to visualise it: If you choose to write an integrated response, you can either analyse the texts in an alternating manner or analyse them in two sets of evidence. Assuming that you need a minimum of 12 pieces of evidence per essay (which you do!) and you have 3 body paragraphs, this is what the two options look like:
To successfully do this, ensure that your evidence from both texts is complementary or related to one another. Here are the pros and cons of writing an integrated response:
Divided:A divided approach means that you will analyse 1 text in 1 body paragraph, as opposed to 2. To write an essay using the divided approach, you will need to develop 2 main arguments (themes). Then dedicate a paragraph for each text, per idea. So, you will have a total of 4 body paragraphs. Here is a flow chart to help you visualise this approach: The most common mistake with the divided approach is that students often forget to draw direct links to their other text/paragraph. So, they end up writing a body paragraph that analyses 1 text but doesn’t compare the two.
Here are some useful comparative words/phrases that will help you draw these explicit connections:
Note: Connective phrases/words that highlight similarities and differences should be consistently used in both the integrated and divided approaches. Now that you know how to write a divided approach essay, here are the pros and cons of a divided approach:
Dos and Don’tsNow that we know what you need to include in your essays and the different essays structures, let’s summarise the dos and don’ts of writing a Module A essay. Do:
Don’t:
Example of a paragraphWhen you write a body paragraph, remember to use TEEL to structure your analysis and argument. That is:
Now that you know how to write a comparative essay, let’s take a look at some sample paragraphs. We’ll explore an integrated paragraph and a divided paragraph. Let’s use Shakespeare’s Richard III and Al Pacino’s Looking for Richard as an example. Integrated approach example
Divided approach example
Looking for your Module A text? Find it here:We have articles that provide an overview of some Module A texts and analyse them. Take a look, and see if your text is here: Keep your eyes out for our upcoming guide on
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