Comparing Texts

Comparing poems and other texts l

Many people worry when they are instructed to compare two poems or other texts. How should I structure it? they ask. I feel a moment of embarrassment that I can t give them a straightforward answer. Every text pairing is different and, while you can give a framework, you can t give a failsafe formula.

However, there are some useful starting points and thoughts to guide one. I always advise people to establish first of all what is similar about the two texts. What are the grounds for comparison? Why have these two texts been yoked together?

Once you have established the similarities, you can then turn to the differences.

PURPOSE

The key is to realise that each text will have a somewhat different purpose or intention behind it. Once you have worked out the intention, you can see how the writer serves that intention by his or her choices of approach and language.

You are not comparing like with like: it s not like comparing two dogs or two cars. In other words, you are looking at two texts that have different forms and shapes, were written by different people with different styles and priorities, and perhaps writing in different eras.

ASK YOURSELF QUESTIONS You need to ask yourself a lot of questions. Why has the writer produced a text in this way? He or she could have done it in 1000 different ways. Choices were made in producing this text, so you need to think about the reasons behind those choices and their effects.

Have a look at how the writers express their feelings and ideas. Have they used a story to illustrate their views? If so, does the main character embody or express the writer s ideas through his or her behaviour or words?

What is the language like, plain or elaborate, formal or colloquial, figurative or literal? What about the tone of the piece? Is there imagery? How does it help the writer s message or feelings to come across? Is the text structured in a way that enhances our understanding or enjoyment of it?

Questions like these can help to give you a way into a text, and all you need is to open the door a chink: after that, your ideas will come more easily.

COMPARE, COMPARE

Certain words and expressions are very useful when comparing things. For example: while, whereas, unlike, similarly, conversely, on the other hand. Make sure you are using these words because they will ensure that you are comparing the texts, and if the instruction is compare , you will get credit only if you do that.

Having said all this, remember that you don t need to write about everything on the page in front of you, because the examiner only wants to see that you are fully engaged with the task. It s the quality of your observations and thoughts that will impress, not so much the number of words you write. It s fine to answer the question in your own way.

Finally, never be afraid to state the obvious. You need to state the obvious so that the examiner can see that you understand it. Also, stating the obvious is the best place to start. Finally, what is obvious to you may not be obvious to another person, so just say it.