Key Idea: Paper 2 asks one general question. You answer it by comparing two literary works you have studied, with no texts in the room. You write one comparative argument, not two essays.
Understanding Paper 2
- Choose — One of four general questions, plus two studied works that both fit it and differ in interesting ways.
- Compare — One argument about BOTH works: similarities AND differences.
- Closed book — No quotations required, but precise, detailed reference.
Comparative thinking
- For each idea, ask: same or different?
- Then push to WHY it matters: and so what?
- Join the works with {{both, whereas, similarly, unlike, by contrast|connectives}}.
- Explore the differences, not only the similarities.
Two works, one argument: every point holds both of them.
Do you have the texts in the exam? No. It is closed book.
What is the biggest Paper 2 mistake? Two separate mini-essays instead of one woven comparison.
What two questions drive comparison? 'Same or different?' and '...and so what?'
Why look hard at differences? They show you see what is individual about each work.