The Leaving Cert Higher Level English Comparative is worth 70 marks: that’s a big chunk of the English Paper 2 (200 marks in total). Lots of students find it very difficult to get their heads arounds the Comparative.
There are lots of combinations of texts, but have a look at these sample essays to understand what is being asked of you in the Comparative section! Reading this is arguably the best way of understanding how much to write, do you need quotations, which is better the 70 marker or the 30/40, etc.
Here they are, broken out
General Vision and Viewpoint (2025 and 2026)
Literary Genre (2026)
Theme or Issue (2025)
Cultural Context (2026)
If you are confused, this video on the Comparative should help!
Kindly note that the syllabus changes year on year, so please make sure that you texts are relevant by checking the Prescribed Material for the Leaving Certificate Examinations circular available online.
How to make them and never forget them? Make a table with three columns (one for each text) and fill it in using your own texts. This will set you up to make complicated comparisons. A big page/excel sheet may be in order…
"A reader can feel uncomfortable with certain aspects of the cultural context presented in texts." Compare the extent to which aspects of the cultural context that you encountered, in at…
Compare the extent to which the authors of three texts on your comparative course use setting or aspects of setting to help define and develop characters. Develop your answer with…
Compare the extent to which the expression of individuality or divergence from social or cultural norms is tolerated within the cultural context of each of at least two texts on…
Compare how comprehensively similar or different ethical (moral) questions are explored in the treatment of the same theme or issue, in at least two texts on your comparative course. Develop…
Compare the reasons why you found the exploration of the same theme or issue through understanding what influences or motivates one central character, from 3 texts on your comparative course,…
The study of a theme or issue can offer a reader valuable lessons and insights. Discuss, with reference to a theme or issue in the three texts you have studied. Feedback: - note the…
A reader can feel greatly heartened or be left despondent by the general vision and viewpoint of a text. Compare how the general vision and viewpoint of three texts studied…
“Compelling storytelling can be achieved in a variety of ways”. (Literary Genre 2015) (a) Identify 2 literary techniques found in one text you have studied. Discuss the extent to which…
Some texts leave readers with a largely idealistic impression of a theme or issue, while others leave readers with a more realistic or believable impression of the same theme or…
#625Lab. Corrected by experienced examiner, graded as H2 with feedback on how to improve below. You may also like: Leaving Cert English Complete Guide (€). The study of a theme or issue…
Significant events and the impact they have on us help to clarify the general vision and viewpoint of the texts. Do you agree? #625Lab. Corrected by an experienced examiner, graded…
Significant events in texts and the impact they have on readers often help to clarify the general vision & viewpoint of those texts. #625Lab. Corrected by an experienced examiner, graded…
A variety of factors in texts can change or reinforce our initial impression of the general vision and viewpoint (2017) #625Lab. Corrected by an experienced examiner, graded as 42/70 with…
The general vision and viewpoint of a text can be shaped by the reader's attitude to a central character. Compare the extent to which your attitude to a central character…
“A theme or issue can reveal a character’s strengths or weaknesses”. a) With reference to one text on your comparative course, discuss how a theme or issue revealed a character's…
“In many texts, a theme or issue may not be resolved to the complete satisfaction of the reader.” (a) Discuss the extent to which a theme or issue is resolved…
Key moments in texts can influence our sense of the general vision and viewpoint. (a) Discuss the extent to which your sense of the general vision and viewpoint of one…
“The general vision and viewpoint of a text can be changed or reinforced by the ending of a text”. #625Lab. Corrected by experienced examiner, graded as H3 with feedback on…
“Significant events in texts and the impact they have on readers often helps clarify the general vision and viewpoint of those texts” – with reference to the three texts on…
“The main characters in the text are often in conflict with the world or culture in which they inhabit”. (2009) #625Lab. This essays is beautifully focused on the question. However, the…
“The General Vision and Viewpoint of a text can be shaped by the reader’s attitude to a central character.” Compare the extent to which your attitude to a central character…
"The creation of memorable characters is part of the art of good story telling". Write an essay comparing the ways in which memorable characters were created and contributed to your…
The world in which a character lives shapes the person that they become. Write an essay comparing the cultural context and how it affects the lives of the characters of…
“A variety of factors in texts can change or reinforce our initial impression of the general vision and viewpoint”. (2017) #625Lab. This essay raises a lot of points I don't agree…
"Each text we read presents us with an outlook on life that may be bright or dark, or a combination of both". Discuss, with reference to the three texts you…
“Significant events in texts and the impact they have on readers often help to clarify the general vision and viewpoint of those texts”. With reference to three texts on your…
Understanding who holds power and who is powerless helps to reveal the cultural context in texts. #625Lab. This essay is en route to a H1. Why? Clearly structured, genuinely engaged with…
“Write an essay on one or more of the aspects of literary genre (the way texts tell their stories) which you found most interesting in the texts you studied in…
“The world of a text, and how it affects the behaviour of central characters, can influence a reader’s response to the events that take place”. With the Comparative, you will…
Using one comparative text that you have studied explain how the author uses literary techniques to create a compelling story. There is a reason I tell people who aren't mad…
“The cultural context can have a significant influence on the behaviour of the central character/characters in a text. Compare the way in which the behaviour of the central characters in…
"The success or failure of relationships is often determined by values and attitudes of the world in which the text is set." Compare the extent to which the success or…
“Understanding who holds power and who is powerless helps to reveal the cultural context in texts”. Compare how the distribution of power within each of the three texts on your…
Central characters can be successful or unsuccessful in challenging aspects of the cultural context in texts. (a) Discuss the extent to which at least one central character is successful or…
Understanding the cultural context of a text allows you to see how values and attitudes are shaped. Show how this statement applies to one of the texts on your comparative…
"Authors can use various techniques to make settings real and engaging." #625Lab The author took on the challenging literary genre question - and did so quite well! I have studied…
“The general vision and viewpoint is shaped by the reader’s feeling of optimism or pessimism in reading the text.” This is a very good essay! #625Lab For me, the General Vision…
#625Lab The cultural context is the world or society of a text; it is the framework of any story which conditions the characters into who they are, and what choices…
A lot of students ask, do I need quotations for the Comparative?They don't seem to be important, based on our experience. However, they are very important for Single text and…
“Understanding the cultural context of a text adds to our enjoyment of a good narrative.” In the light of the above statement write an essay comparing the cultural contexts of…
''In any cultural context, deeply embedded values and attitudes can be difficult to change''. Compare the extent to which the above statement is valid in relation to your understanding of…
"A variety of factors in texts can change or reinforce our initial impression of the general vision and viewpoint of a text." Compare the main factor or actors that changed…
“In any cultural context, deeply embedded values and attitudes can be difficult to change.” Compare the extent to which the above statement is valid in relation to your understanding of at…
“The general vision and viewpoint of a text can be determined by the success or failure of a central character in his/her efforts to achieve fulfilment” (70 marks) #625Lab…
"The main characters in texts are often in conflict with the world or culture they inhabit" In light of the above statement, compare how the main characters interact with the…
“The cultural context within a text often dictates the crises or difficulties faced by characters and their responses to these difficulties.” (a) Discuss to what extent this statement applies to…
You can use this table yourself via Google Docs. You can add to it, but PLEASE DON'T DELETE ANYTHING.
"Understanding of the cultural context of a text adds to our enjoyment of a good narrative." In the light of the above statement write an essay comparing the cultural contexts…
“The general vision and viewpoint is shaped by the reader's feeling of optimism and pessimism in reading the text” The author added a note with her essay: "I mainly struggle…
“The issue of social class is important in shaping our understanding of the cultural context of a text” Compare the importance of social class in shaping your understanding of the…
"A readers view of a theme or issue can be either changed or reinforced through interaction with texts". Compare the extent to which your understanding of a theme or issue was…
“Some texts leave readers with a largely idealistic impression of a theme or issue, while others leave readers with a more realistic or believable impression of the same theme or…
Write an essay on one or more of the aspects of literary genre which you found most interesting in the texts you have studied on your comparative course. This is…
“Significant events in texts and the impact they have on readers often help to clarify the general vision and viewpoint of those texts”This is a very good essay from a…
"The general vision and viewpoint is shaped by the reader’s feeling of optimism or pessimism in reading the text.’’ In the light of the above statement, compare the general vision…
"Each text we read presents us with an outlook on life that may be bright or dark, or a combination of both brightness and darkness."In light of the above statement,…
How to allocate your time Using link words General Vision and Viewpoint Cultural Context Writing good introductions for your answers Hamlet The Great Gatsby The King's Speech Leaving…
“Studying a selection of texts helps to highlight how some authors can make more skilful use of the same literary technique than others.” Choose one literary technique common to three texts…
The Great Gatsby plot summary. Freshen up before you do your essays!You may also like:The Great Gatsby: Intimate and Complex FriendshipThe Great Gatsby Sample Answer & Notes: Idealism and CorruptionComplete…
2014 Higher Level Paper II “The cultural context within a text often dictates the crises or difficulties faced by characters and their responses to these difficulties.” (a) Discuss to what…
2007 Higher Level Paper II ‘The general vision and viewpoint is shaped by the reader’s feelings of optimism or pessimism in reading the text.’ In light of the above statement,…
“The cultural context can have a significant influence on the behaviour of the central character/characters in a text.” Compare the way in which the behaviour of the central characters in…
“Deep-seated attitudes and expectations illustrate the possibility or impossibility of social change in texts”. Discuss, comparing all three of the texts that you have studied for your comparative course. You…
Literary GenreA film is always going to have a different impact to that of a novel or a play. There are some unique instruments in a director's toolbox that are…
A theme or issue question doesn't vary hugely year on year. The angle is slightly different but the fundamentals remain the same. This came up in 2015:Compare this to 2013…
“The general vision and viewpoint of a text can be determined by the success or failure of a central character in his/her efforts to achieve fulfilment.” In the light of the…
You may also like: Complete Guide: H1 Leaving Cert English and King Lear: Full Guide for Leaving Cert English CULTURAL CONTEXT Shakespearean works often resonate with existing stories. The Bard adapts a general…
Sive is set in Ireland. It is a story of a young girl forced by her family to marry an older man for their financial benefit. It is a standalone…