How do I link different extracts of texts?

English Literature exams, for the most part, will require some form of cross examination. The A2 examinations demand students rigour in making links between various genres. Making tenuous links such as, "both have a bad guy" (which I have seen done) will not achieve the top marks. How should you go about achieving the top grades when linking two (or more) extracts in an exam situation? This is what I did to achieve full marks:Read through the extracts as thoroughly as possible given the time constraints. Look for similarities in form, character, theme, imagery and narrator. Look for differences in form, character, theme, imagery and narrator. Build an introduction summarising your interpretations and the links that you're going to make, and end with an engaging sentence and a topic sentence easier said than done, but with pracise you'll ace it!For exampleLink 1: Character Link 2: FormLink 3 Theme: How both character and form generate thisConclusionRestate your topic sentence and clarify your overall link, don't begin any new arguments here.Here are some strong connectives which may prove useful: alternatively anyway but by contrast differs from elsewhere even so however in contrast in fact in other respects in spite of this in that respect instead nevertheless on the contrary on the other hand rather though whereasaccordinglyas a resultas exemplified by consequently for example for instance for one thing including provided that since so such as then therefore these include through unless withoutyet Top tip: Do past papers and use these to work out how much time you should spend on each section: analysis, planning, writing. Stick to the timings and you'll do well. Good luck!