How do I compare my wider reading to an unseen text?

Essentially, there are four main channels of comparison. Form, structure, language and historical/literary context. It is important to highlight the similarities between the unseen text and your wider reading, but it’s also key to identify contrasting features to give depth to your analysis, and to demonstrate that you can think originally and flexibly.

Start by reading through the unseen text once and absorbing it, getting a sense of author’s intentions and key themes. Then note down the genre, era and if you know any other works by the author, or authors of the time. On the second or third read through, highlight literary devices, the form of the text, and any noticeable structural points i.e. use of ellipses or blank verse; and the effect they have.

Once you have key information about form, structure, language and context written or highlighted clearly, treat each individually. If you notice personification, think about the effect it has, and why the author might have wanted this effect. Compare it to Shakespere's famous personifications, did they have the same effect?

A good place to start if you’re struggling is context. What were the literary conventions at the time? Is this text representative of it? If not, why?

The key with the comparisons is not only to identify similarities and differences with other literary works, but to explain how this has allowed you to develop a deeper understanding of the unseen text.