Year 10 - English
Crafting an effective comparison of non-fiction texts
Non-fiction: changing views
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils develop their non-fiction reading and writing skills. They look at a range of nineteenth century and modern texts in tandem, and practise comparing viewpoints. They then practise emulating different techniques from the texts in order to develop their speech and opinion writing.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to use discourse markers and correlative and comparative conjunctions to craft an effective comparison of non-fiction texts.
Key Notes
- A comparison is a consideration or evaluation of the similarities or differences between two things or people.
- It might be helpful to think of the writers as in conversation with one another when comparing texts.
- You should start a comparative paragraph with a comparative topic sentence.
- You should use discourse markers and comparative and correlative conjunctions to compare throughout the paragraph.
Vocabulary To Learn
- topic sentence: a sentence that expresses the main idea of the paragraph in which it occurs
- inference: a conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning
- comparison: a consideration or evaluation of the similarities or differences between two things or people
- correlative conjunction: made up of two or more words working together as a pair, to link two similar items
- comparative conjunction: words or phrases that compare ideas in a sentence and to show similarities and differences
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Comparative paragraphs should only focus on differences.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
A comparison is a consideration or evaluation of the similarities or differences between two things or people. It might be helpful to think of the writers as in conversation with one another when comparing texts.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'topic sentence'
a sentence that expresses the main idea of the paragraph in which it occurs.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Comparative paragraphs should only focus on differences. Correction: The most effective comparisons look for subtle differences within larger similarities.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Analysing and comparing language techniques in non-fiction writing Study Guide
- Considering and analysing attitude in non-fiction writing Study Guide
- Considering and analysing the use of anecdotes in a non-fiction text Study Guide
- Considering and emulating onomatopoeia and alliteration in speech writing Study Guide
- Considering and emulating the use of anaphora in speech writing Study Guide
- Considering and emulating the use of direct address in the opening of a speech Study Guide
- Considering and emulating the use of extended analogies in non-fiction writing Study Guide
- Considering and emulating the use of hyperbole in opinion writing Study Guide
- Considering and emulating the use of rhetorical questions in opinion writing Study Guide
- Considering and emulating the use of similes in non-fiction writing Study Guide
- Considering and understanding the attitude of a non-fiction text Study Guide
- Developing reading skills and personal responses to non-fiction texts Study Guide
- Planning a speech and building your counter-argument Study Guide
- Using colons, dashes, and semicolons effectively in opinion writing Study Guide
- Using comparatives and superlatives to effectively compare non-fiction texts Study Guide
- Using inference and embedded quotations to craft effective summaries Study Guide
- Using rhetorical devices to write an effective speech Study Guide
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