Comparing texts how to start your essay

1. Reading & Comparing – Unit 2
VCE ENGLISH UNIT 1&2 1
Name: ___________________________________________
HOW TO START
YOUR ESSAY.
The Block Method
KEY
Use this colour for your introduction and conclusion paragraphs
Use this colour for your for your body paragraphs
This colour is for tips & practicing
Comparative linking words and phrases:
Linking ideas that are
SIMILAR
Linking ideas that are
DIFFERENT
Linking ideas in a
SEQUENCE
Similarly… In contrast… In addition…
In the same way… On the other hand… Additionally…
Just as… Whereas… Another reason/example/point…
Likewise… However… Further / Furthermore…
Similar to… Although… Moreover…
Accordingly… Yet… Lastly…
So too… Conversely… Finally…

2. Reading & Comparing – Unit 2
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Overview

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Introduction
Example
Example
Do you agree or disagree with the prompt?
Re-write the prompt in the form of a contention. Eg.:

4. Reading & Comparing – Unit 2
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Introduction – (your turn)
Using your Contention, Argument 1, Argument 2, and Argument 3, write an INTRODUCTORY paragraph.

5. Reading & Comparing – Unit 2
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Body Paragraph #1
Text 1: ‘Night’ by Elie Wiesel
• How does Text 1 (‘Night’ by Elie Wiesel) relate to the prompt
• Explain how your topic sentence (above) relates to the prompt with specific evidence from the text ‘Night’.
• This could be simply a scene from the novel or a quote that comes from a character.
• Explain (one more time) how your topic sentence (above) relates to the prompt with specific evidence from the
text ‘Night’.
• Again, this could be simply a scene from the novel or a quote that comes from a character.
• Link back to the initial prompt with a final statement.
• Use this sentence starter if you want to.

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Body Paragraph #1 (your turn)
Using the 4 pieces of information above: re-write your 1st
BODY PARAGRAPH

7. Reading & Comparing – Unit 2
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Body Paragraph #2
Text 2: ‘Life is Beautiful’ by Roberto Benigni
• How does Text 2 (‘Life is Beautiful’ by Roberto Benigni) relate to the prompt
• Explain how your topic sentence (above) relates to the prompt with specific evidence from the text ‘Life is
Beautiful’.
• This could be simply a scene from the movie or a quote that comes from a character.
• Explain (one more time) how your topic sentence (above) relates to the prompt with specific evidence from the
text ‘Life is Beautiful’.
• Again, this could be simply a scene from the movie or a quote that comes from a character.
• Link back to the initial prompt with a final statement.
• Use this sentence starter if you want to.

8. Reading & Comparing – Unit 2
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Body Paragraph #2 (your turn)
Using the 4 pieces of information above: re-write your 2nd
BODY PARAGRAPH

9. Reading & Comparing – Unit 2
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Body Paragraph #3
Texts 1 & 2: ‘Night’ by Elie Wiesel &
‘Life is Beautiful’ by Roberto Benigni
• How are Texts 1 (‘Night’ by Elie Wiesel) and 2 (‘Life is Beautiful;’) similar or different in relation to the prompt.
• Explain how your topic sentence (above) relates to the prompt with specific evidence from the text ‘Night’.
• This could be simply a scene from the novel or a quote that comes from a character.
• Explain (one more time) how your topic sentence (above) relates to the prompt with specific evidence from the
text ‘Life is Beautiful’.
• Again, this could be simply a scene from the novel or a quote that comes from a character.
• Link back to the initial prompt with a final statement.
• Use this sentence starter if you want to.

10. Reading & Comparing – Unit 2
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Body Paragraph #3 (your turn)
Using the 4 pieces of information above: re-write your 3rdt
BODY PARAGRAPH

11. Reading & Comparing – Unit 2
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Conclusion
Summarise each argument/idea that you have discussed.
It should be similar to your Introductory arguments, but reworded.
State how these prove your response to the prompt

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Conclusion – (your turn)
Using your previous argument summaries, write an CONCLUSION paragraph.