Question 4 is the comparison question. You are assessed on AO3 only:
AO3
Compare writers’ ideas and perspectives, as well as how these are conveyed, across two or more texts
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As a reminder, in Question 4, you are required to read and understand information and ideas from two sources and focus on the writers’ perspectives. You are expected to bring together and compare the two perspectives, analysing the differences and linking these points of view to the methods used by the writers to convey them.
If you want to achieve a Grade 9, you should be aiming for a Level 4 response. Below is the AQA mark scheme for each level in Question 4:
Level |
Skills Descriptors |
Level 4
Perceptive, detailed comparison
13-16 marks
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Compares ideas and perspectives in a perceptive way
- Analyses how writers’ methods are used
- Selects a range of judicious supporting detail from both texts
- Shows a detailed and perceptive understanding of the different ideas and perspectives in both texts
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Level 3
Clear, relevant comparison
9-12 marks
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Compares ideas and perspectives in a clear and relevant way
- Explains clearly how writers’ methods are used
- Selects relevant detail to support from both texts
- Shows a clear understanding of the different ideas and perspectives in both texts
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Level 2
Some attempts at comparison
5-8 marks
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Attempts to compare ideas and perspectives
- Makes some comment on how writers’ methods are used
- Selects some appropriate textual detail/references, not always supporting, from one or both texts
- Shows some understanding of different ideas and perspectives
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Level 1
Simple, limited comment
1-4 marks
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Makes simple cross reference of ideas and perspectives
- Makes simple identification of writers’ methods
- Selects simple reference(s)/ textual detail(s) from one or both texts
- Shows simple awareness of ideas and/or perspectives
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Here is a more simplified version of the mark scheme:
Level 1 |
Level 2 |
Level 3 |
Level 4 |
At Level 1 there will be a basic cross-reference, which identifies the writеrs’ mеthods, with simple quotes and a basic awareness of idеas or perspectives |
At Level 2 there will be some attempts of comparison with appropriate quotes, with commеnts on the writers’ mеthods and a partial grasp of diffеring viеwpoints |
At Level 3 there will be a clear and cohеrеnt comparison of the writers’ methods and ideas, with apt supporting dеtails and a lucid undеrstanding of divеrsе viеwpoints in both tеxts
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At Level 4 there will be a detailed and perceptive comparison of the writеrs’ ideas and mеthods, relevant supporting dеtails, and a nuancеd undеrstanding of different viеwpoints in both tеxts |