General approach to answering comparative questions.

General approach to answering questions

• Identify clearly your three texts. You may not use any of these texts for your answer on the in-depth (single text) question.
• Spend time working on the question. Make sure you understand every aspect of what is being asked before you start your answer.
• Begin by working on a rough draft. Write down several points from each text related to the question. Try to back up some of these points with a quote or key moment from that particular text.
• Write out your answer in rough draft format.
• All the material from your texts must be tied in to your answer in a fluid and natural way. Do not divide your answer into sub headings with the title of the texts at the top. The main thing is to link or weave the texts naturally, and show how they relate to the question asked, jotting down all points of comparison or contrast between the texts.
• Organise your points into paragraphs, and make sure that you have used quotation/reference from the texts as much as possible.
• Put priority and order on your points and make sure that each point refers in some way to the question asked.
• Start writing the answer and stop at the end of each paragraph to examine what relevance it has to the question asked.

Always to give yourself time to conclude a comparative answer. Go back to the actual question and make a statement on the question and the relation to all texts. This statement may simply draw a contrast or form a judgment about the different texts.