Analysis and Evaluation The Comparison Question

The Comparison Question The Comparison Question is the last question you will answer in the Analysis and Evaluation paper. Previous questions in the paper will tested your knowledge of information contained in the first passage. The Comparison Question requires you to focus on both passages. It is an Evaluation question, i.e. it requires you to provide your opinion on certain aspects of both passages, and to support that opinion with evidence. It is worth 5 marks (roughly 17% of the paper), so it is vital that you put a lot of effort into answering this question. It requires you to compare both passages and write about one of the following: a)The similarities between the two passages. b)The differences between the two passages. c)The similarities and differences between the two passages. In the Analysis and Evaluation exam it is advisable to read the comparison question first – before you even start to read the passages. This will mean that you can reflect on how the two passages compare with one another as you work your way through the A & E paper.

What Do I Need to Know? As with any Analysis and Evaluation question, you need to make sure you know what the question is asking you before you attempt to answer it. 1.Where should I look for the answer to the question? 2.How many marks is it worth? 3.What type of question is it? Given that this is an Evaluation question, you should also consider: 4.What type of evidence can I support my opinion with? – the writer’s ideas – the techniques the writer has used to express his/her ideas – both techniques and ideas. 5.n Everywhere. 5 marks. Evaluation.

What Do I Need to Know? As with any Analysis and Evaluation question, you need to make sure you know what the question is asking you before you attempt to answer it. 1.Where should I look for the answer to the question? 2.How many marks is it worth? 3.What type of question is it? Given that this is an Evaluation question, you should also consider: 4.What type of evidence can I support my opinion with? – the writer’s ideas – the techniques the writer has used to express his/her ideas – both techniques and ideas. Given that it is a comparison question, you should also consider: 5.What feature(s) of the passages am I being asked to compare? – their differences – their similarities – a combination of both differences and similarities. Everywhere. 5 marks. Evaluation.

What Do I Need to Know? As with any Analysis and Evaluation question, you need to make sure you know what the question is asking you before you attempt to answer it. 1.Where should I look for the answer to the question? 2.How many marks is it worth? 3.What type of question is it? Given that this is an Evaluation question, you should also consider: 4.What type of evidence can I support my opinion with? – the writer’s ideas – the techniques the writer has used to express his/her ideas – both techniques and ideas. Lastly, when answering a comparison question, you should also consider: 5.What feature(s) of the passages am I being asked to compare? – their differences – their similarities – a combination of both differences and similarities. Everywhere. 5 marks. Evaluation.

Comparison Questions – Structure An effective way to structure your answer to a comparison question might be: 1.Identify a key difference / similarity between the two passages. 2.Refer to ideas / techniques from Passage 1 which relate to this difference / similarity. 3.Refer to ideas / techniques from Passage 2 which relate to this difference / similarity. Example: One of the key ways in which the writers of the passages appear to agree is in their belief that libraries are the source of many important personal memories. This is made clear in Passage One when Kerevan reminisces about the time he spent as a child reading about sex in the adult biology section of Drumchapel library. Similarly, in Passage Two, Macintyre writes about his fond memories of Cambridge University library, lounging about in a garden area outside the library while reading a book.

Comparison Question - Task Complete the following tasks in pairs / small groups: A.Identify as many areas as you can on which the writers of Passage 1 and Passage 2 agree about the importance of traditional libraries. B.Consider your answers to Task A. Pick what you consider to be the most significant area of agreement that you have identified. A.d

“Despite Google…” – Key Areas of Agreement 1.Libraries are typically treated with awe / majesty / respect. 2.Libraries have great cultural value. 3.Libraries are important physical spaces. 4.Libraries are an important source of personal memories / nostalgia. 5.Libraries are places of great social importance. 6.Libraries are important places to store knowledge. 7.Libraries provide great educational benefits. 8.Libraries provide easy access to knowledge.

Comparison Question - Task Complete the following tasks in pairs / small groups: A.Identify as many areas as you can on which the writers of Passage 1 and Passage 2 agree about the importance of traditional libraries. B.Consider your answers to Task A. Pick what you consider to be the most significant area of agreement that you have identified. C.Find evidence from Passage 1 that supports the area of agreement you identified in Task B. D.Find evidence from Passage 2 that supports the area of agreement you identified in Task B.

Comparison Questions – How They Are Marked The following generalised marking scheme can be applied to any comparison question: 5 markscomprehensive identification of three or more key similarities / differences with full use of supporting evidence 4 marksclear identification of three or more key similarities / differences with relevant use of supporting evidence 3 marksidentification of three or more key similarities / differences with supporting evidence 2 marksidentification of two key similarities / differences with supporting evidence 1 markidentification of one key similarities / differences with supporting evidence 0 marksfailure to identify any key area of agreement and/or total misunderstanding of task

Comparison Questions – How They Are Marked The following generalised marking scheme can be applied to any comparison question: 5 markscomprehensive identification of three or more key similarities / differences with full use of supporting evidence 4 marksclear identification of three or more key similarities / differences with relevant use of supporting evidence 3 marksidentification of three or more key similarities / differences with supporting evidence 2 marksidentification of two key similarities / differences with supporting evidence 1 markidentification of one key similarities / differences with supporting evidence 0 marksfailure to identify any key area of agreement and/or total misunderstanding of task An answer which identifies less than three key similarities / differences cannot be awarded more than 2 marks. An answer which clearly identifies at least three key similarities / differences and has at least some supporting evidence will score a minimum of 3 marks.