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The shape of a comparative thesis?
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All Flashcards in Topic 4.3
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4.3.110 cards
The shape of a comparative thesis?
‘Both works do X; but whereas A does Y, B does Z.’
How many works does the thesis name?
Both — one claim about the pair.
Must it be arguable?
Yes — provable and disputable, not a fact or summary.
What must the thesis answer?
The actual general question's idea, not a topic you'd prefer.
Two theses or one?
One — not ‘Work A shows… Work B shows…’ separately.
What does the thesis set up?
Criterion B2 (comparison) and C (focus) from the first line.
A weak thesis looks like…
‘This essay is about power in both works’ — a topic, not an argument.
What proves the thesis?
Every body paragraph, each about both works.
Why include a difference in the thesis?
So the essay is a comparison, not a list of shared themes.
Connective often used in the thesis?
‘but whereas’ — to mark the key difference.
Topic 4.3 study notes
Full notes & explanations for The comparative thesis
English A Lang & Lit exam skills
Paper structures, command terms & tips
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