Foster By Claire Keegan, Revision Notes for Comparative Study

Contents

Comparative Study: An Overview

What is the comparative section all about?

In this section of the exam, you must prepare three texts for examination.
There are three possible comparative modes, of which two will appear on the exam.

This year’s comparative modes…

Theme or Issue: The main message(s) that the writer wants to share with the reader and/or with the world; an issue that is presented within the text
The General Vision and Viewpoint: What is the tone of the text? What is the author or director’s outlook on life?
Literary Genre: How is the story told? Genre; imagery; symbolism; narrative; structure; characterisation

This year’s texts/films

The texts/films that will be covered in this study guide include:
- Novel: F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby
- Short story: Claire Keegan’s Foster
- Play: Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House
- Film: The King’s Speech (Director: Tom Hooper)

How do I approach it?

Remember, this section is about comparing and contrasting (finding similarities and differences) between multiple texts. You must ensure that your response reflect this.
In choosing which question to answer, ensure that you will be able to compare multiple works within the realm of the answer. It is not enough to strongly analyse one and ignore the comparison aspect of the assessment.
Be sure to look at key moments within the texts/films. These will be strong points that will build your analyses. A key moment may be a conflict, resolution, or a moment that highlights themes, settings, or relationships.

How do I link the texts?

A good tool used to link ideas in writing is a linking device. These are words are phrases that can help you combine thoughts or ideas.
- To express similar...