Independent comparative critical study common mistakes

Common mistakes

• Autonomous reading and task design literary-analysis mistake 1

  Treating Develop an individual comparative task from wider and independent reading. as plot summary, unsupported opinion or a place to invent quotations, while blurring analysis vs plot summary.

  Fix itMake an AO1 claim, use accurate textual evidence, analyse a method for AO2, add relevant AO3 context, connect texts for AO4 and test interpretations for AO5 only where the task requires them.

• Autonomous reading and task design literary-analysis mistake 1

  Treating Select a theme that enables sustained analysis of similarity and difference. as plot summary, unsupported opinion or a place to invent quotations, while blurring analysis vs plot summary.

  Fix itMake an AO1 claim, use accurate textual evidence, analyse a method for AO2, add relevant AO3 context, connect texts for AO4 and test interpretations for AO5 only where the task requires them.

• Autonomous reading and task design literary-analysis mistake 1

  Treating Keep the task literary and analytical rather than biographical, historical or purely thematic. as plot summary, unsupported opinion or a place to invent quotations, while blurring diachronic study vs synchronic shared-context study.

  Fix itMake an AO1 claim, use accurate textual evidence, analyse a method for AO2, add relevant AO3 context, connect texts for AO4 and test interpretations for AO5 only where the task requires them.

• Text selection requirements literary-analysis mistake 1

  Treating Select two texts that provide strong comparative potential and access to critical interpretations. as plot summary, unsupported opinion or a place to invent quotations, while blurring supported interpretation vs unsupported opinion.

  Fix itMake an AO1 claim, use accurate textual evidence, analyse a method for AO2, add relevant AO3 context, connect texts for AO4 and test interpretations for AO5 only where the task requires them.

• Text selection requirements literary-analysis mistake 1

  Treating Ensure at least one selected text was written pre-1900. as plot summary, unsupported opinion or a place to invent quotations, while blurring exam set text vs NEA-eligible text.

  Fix itMake an AO1 claim, use accurate textual evidence, analyse a method for AO2, add relevant AO3 context, connect texts for AO4 and test interpretations for AO5 only where the task requires them.

• Text selection requirements literary-analysis mistake 1

  Treating Ensure at least one text is studied independently by the student. as plot summary, unsupported opinion or a place to invent quotations, while blurring analysis vs plot summary.

  Fix itMake an AO1 claim, use accurate textual evidence, analyse a method for AO2, add relevant AO3 context, connect texts for AO4 and test interpretations for AO5 only where the task requires them.

• Text selection requirements literary-analysis mistake 1

  Treating Exclude all texts on the A-level examination set-text lists. as plot summary, unsupported opinion or a place to invent quotations, while blurring analysis vs plot summary.

  Fix itMake an AO1 claim, use accurate textual evidence, analyse a method for AO2, add relevant AO3 context, connect texts for AO4 and test interpretations for AO5 only where the task requires them.

• Comparative argument literary-analysis mistake 1

  Treating Build a sustained comparative argument across both texts. as plot summary, unsupported opinion or a place to invent quotations, while blurring analysis vs plot summary.

  Fix itMake an AO1 claim, use accurate textual evidence, analyse a method for AO2, add relevant AO3 context, connect texts for AO4 and test interpretations for AO5 only where the task requires them.

• Comparative argument literary-analysis mistake 1

  Treating Use connections and contrasts to develop interpretation rather than merely identify features. as plot summary, unsupported opinion or a place to invent quotations, while blurring connected comparison vs two separate mini-essays.

  Fix itMake an AO1 claim, use accurate textual evidence, analyse a method for AO2, add relevant AO3 context, connect texts for AO4 and test interpretations for AO5 only where the task requires them.

• Comparative argument literary-analysis mistake 1

  Treating Balance attention to both texts throughout the extended essay. as plot summary, unsupported opinion or a place to invent quotations, while blurring analysis vs plot summary.

  Fix itMake an AO1 claim, use accurate textual evidence, analyse a method for AO2, add relevant AO3 context, connect texts for AO4 and test interpretations for AO5 only where the task requires them.