In a nutshell: Comparative thinking means holding two works in mind together and always asking ‘same or different — and so what?’, then joining them with connective language (both, whereas, similarly, in contrast).
Comparison is a habit of mind before it's an essay — and you already do it every day.
You compare two films, two friends, two routes home without thinking. Paper 2 asks for the same reflex, aimed at literature: for any idea, ask how BOTH works treat it, where they agree, where they differ, and why it matters. The little joining words — both, whereas, similarly, unlike — are the visible sign of that thinking.
How to think comparatively
Same or different?
For each idea, ask: do the works treat it alike or unalike?
…and so what?
Push past ‘both do X’ to WHY it matters — what the likeness or difference reveals.
Connective language
Signal comparison: both, likewise, similarly / whereas, unlike, by contrast, however.
Weight the difference
Give differences the most weight — they show you see each work's individuality.
The key move: For every point, ask ‘same or different — and so what?’ and join the works with a connective (‘both… but whereas…’). That single habit is comparison.
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Why it matters in the exam: Connective language is what makes the comparison visible to your reader.
Why it matters
- Criterion B asks you to analyse the authors' choices through comparison and contrast.
- Half of Criterion B (B2) is about the comparison itself; Criterion C is about a focused, organised essay that gives both works fair weight.
- Weave the two works together all the way through, not just at the end.
- Without connective language, even good points read as two separate essays.
Turn these two separate observations into ONE comparative point: (A) ‘The first poem uses the sea to mean freedom.’ (B) ‘The second poem uses the sea to mean danger.’
Model answer plan
See the mark-by-mark plan — for / against / judgement, with marking guidance — in study mode.
Watch out: Don't stop at ‘both use the sea’ (a similarity with no ‘so what?’) or list two facts with no connective. Always push to why the likeness or difference matters, and join the works.