Mini-Lesson

Comparing and Contrasting Texts

Comparison is a distinct skill. It is not two separate analyses side by side — it is an integrated argument about how two texts are similar and different and why.

You will learn to compare by context and by language level, using connectives to weave the texts together. Press Start.

Comparison · the principle

Compare, do not just describe

A strong comparison is integrated: you discuss both texts within the same points, not one text and then the other.

Similarities and differences should be explicit.
Use comparative connectives: similarly, whereas, in contrast, likewise, by comparison.
Always explain why the texts differ, linking to context.

Warning: two isolated analyses stapled together is not a comparison, even if each is good.

Quick check

What makes a good comparison?

?Which approach produces the strongest comparison of two texts?

Comparison · context

Compare the contextual factors

Begin by comparing the texts' contextual factors:

Genre — same or different text types?
Audience — aimed at the same or different readers?
Purpose — inform, persuade, instruct, entertain?
Mode — spoken, written or electronic; where on the continuum?
Time period — are they from different eras (relevant to change)?

Foundation: differences in context usually explain differences in language.

Comparison · levels

Compare level by level

Then compare the texts through the language levels, choosing the most revealing points:

Lexis & semantics — do they share a semantic field? Differ in formality or connotation?
Grammar — compare sentence functions, mood and complexity.
Graphology and mode — compare visual presentation and speech-likeness.
Pragmatics & discourse — compare how each addresses its reader and structures its message.

Skill: group your essay by point of comparison, not by text.

Sort it

Sort each connective to its comparison job

Tap a connective, then tap the job it does.

🟰 Shows similarity

↔ Shows contrast

➡ Shows cause / effect

Quick check

Explain the difference

?Text A (a legal notice) is highly formal; Text B (a text message) is informal and speech-like. The best comparative point explains this difference by referring to their different:

Comparison · structure

Structuring the comparison

Organise your response around points of comparison, each covering both texts:

Open by establishing the contextual similarities and differences.
Each paragraph = one shared analytical focus, with evidence from both texts.
Weave in comparative connectives and always reach an evaluative point about effect.

Evaluation: conclude which choices are most significant and why, rather than merely listing differences.

Match it

Match term to its role in comparison

Tap a term on the left, then its role on the right.

Term

Role

Quick check

Best comparative sentence

?Which sentence best compares two texts?

Recap

The big ideas to take away

Integrated: discuss both texts within each point

Context: compare genre, audience, purpose, mode and time

Levels: compare lexis, grammar, graphology, pragmatics and discourse

Connectives: similarly, whereas, in contrast, as a result

Structure: organise by point of comparison, not by text

Evaluation: explain why differences matter and their effect

You can now build an integrated, evaluative comparison of two texts. Press Finish to see your score.

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Mini-lesson complete!

⭐⭐⭐

You have worked through Comparing and Contrasting Texts for OCR A-level English Language. 🎉

Your stars: 0 / 0

Next: test yourself in the Verify stage.

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