Comparing two viewpoints
Two writers can describe the same event and leave you with opposite impressions. Comparison work is about naming that difference precisely, using evidence.
Part of your national curriculum
- Reading: Compare and contrast the treatment of themes and viewpoints across two or more texts
Lesson overview
What you'll learn in this lesson
Compare viewpoints across two texts
Key learning points
- • Find the stance first
- • Link, don't list
This lesson at a glance
- 20 minutes
- 13 parts to scroll through
- 3 quick checks
- Marked quiz at the end
- Gentle pace: short sittings with pauses
Words to know
Scroll down — the lesson carries on below
Watch & discover
Part 1 of 13
Visual introductionPicture this
Comparing two viewpoints
Two writers can describe the same event and leave you with opposite impressions. Comparison work is about naming that difference precisely, using evidence.
In a nutshell
Compare viewpoints across two texts
Explore the idea
Part 2 of 13
Learn
Find the stance first
Before analysing language, decide in one sentence what each writer wants you to think. Everything else is evidence for that.
Explore the idea
Part 3 of 13
Learn
Link, don't list
Use comparative connectives — whereas, by contrast, similarly — so each point holds both texts at once instead of describing them one after the other.
Reset break
Part 4 of 13
Pause
That's sitting 1 of 3 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Explore the idea
Part 5 of 13
Worked example
A comparison sentence that works
Whereas the campaigner uses emotive verbs such as 'stranded' to provoke sympathy, the researcher's neutral reporting of numbers invites the reader to judge for themselves.
Quick check
Part 6 of 13
Quick check
Part 7 of 13
Reset break
Part 8 of 13
Pause
That's sitting 2 of 3 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Quick check
Part 9 of 13
Challenge round
Part 10 of 13
Game · Sort it
Which of these are true?
Drag each card into the right column. Tap a card first if dragging is fiddly.
True
Not true
Challenge round
Part 11 of 13
Game · Recall cards
A strong comparison paragraph…
Card 1 of 4
Mastery quiz
Part 12 of 13
Marked quiz
End of lesson quiz: Comparing two viewpoints
4 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.
1. A strong comparison paragraph…
2. 'Whereas' is useful because it…
3. Before analysing language you should identify…
4. What do both writers claim to prioritise?
Lesson round-up
Part 13 of 13
Lesson round-up
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Compare and contrast the treatment of themes and viewpoints across two or more texts