Quick correction (so you don’t lose marks!)
On AQA Paper 2, the comparison of viewpoints/perspectives is Question 4 (16 marks).
- Question 3 = language analysis (12 marks)
- Question 4 = compare writers’ viewpoints/perspectives (16 marks)
If your school calls it “Question 3: comparing viewpoints”, don’t panic — just remember that in the real exam paper, the comparison question is Q4.
What the exam question usually says
AQA often phrases Q4 like this:
“Compare how the writers convey their different thoughts/feelings/perspectives…”
It also tells you to use both texts:
“...refer to the whole of Source A, together with the whole of Source B.”
That means you should compare ideas from across each full text (not just one paragraph).
What you’re being marked on (AO3)
This question is mainly AO3: comparing ideas and perspectives and how they’re conveyed.
In normal words: you're explaining what each writer thinks and how they make you think/feel that way.
You get higher marks for comparing methods too (e.g., tone, word choices, imagery, sentence types, anecdotes, facts, rhetorical questions).
Viewpoint vs perspective (easy definitions)
A writer’s viewpoint is their opinion/attitude (positive, negative, worried, admiring, sarcastic…).
A writer’s perspective is their angle — who they are and what they’ve experienced (a teenager, a journalist, a witness, an expert, a parent). This often shapes their viewpoint.
Example: Two writers can both write about “sleep”, but one might describe it as relaxing, while the other describes it as a battle. Same topic, different perspectives.
A simple plan that works nearly every time
Aim for 2–3 big comparison points. For each point, write about Source A and Source B in the same paragraph.
Good comparison points:
- Overall attitude (positive vs negative)
- How intense/emotional they are
- What they focus on (self, other people, nature, society)
- What they want the reader to think/do
Examiner-style habit: use comparison words all the time — whereas, however, similarly, in contrast, on the other hand.
The “golden paragraph” structure (copy this!)
Write your paragraphs like this:
- Make a comparison point (similarity/difference)
- Quote from Source A + name a method + explain the effect
- Quote from Source B + name a method + explain the effect
- Link back to the comparison (what this shows about their viewpoints)
Sentence starters you can steal
Both writers… but Writer A…, whereas Writer B…
Writer A presents … as …, shown by “…”, which suggests…
In contrast, Writer B uses “…”, creating a … tone and making the reader…
This difference shows that A’s perspective is …, while B’s is …
Mini worked example (made-up extracts for practice)
Task: Compare how writers present their feelings about school uniform.
Source A (teen blog): “Uniform feels like a scratchy cage.”
Source B (headteacher letter): “Uniform creates belonging and reduces distraction.”
Model paragraph: Both writers discuss uniform, but they present it in completely different ways. Writer A sounds frustrated, describing uniform as a “scratchy cage”, using a metaphor to suggest students feel trapped and uncomfortable, which encourages the reader to sympathise. In contrast, Writer B uses positive language like “belonging”, which implies uniform supports a shared identity; this calmer, reassuring tone makes uniform seem helpful rather than controlling. Overall, A’s perspective focuses on freedom and self-expression, whereas B’s perspective focuses on community and order.
What top answers usually do (so you can hit the higher bands)
To reach the top marks, you need more than “A is negative, B is positive.” Strong answers:
- compare multiple ideas (not just one)
- use short, well-chosen quotes from both texts
- explain how methods create meaning (tone, word choice, imagery, structure)
- keep it balanced (roughly equal detail on both sources)
A strong Q4 answer usually has 2–4 paragraphs, each one comparing both texts.
Common mistakes (and quick fixes)
Mistake: Writing two separate mini-essays (all Source A, then all Source B).
Fix: Mix them together. Compare A and B in every paragraph.
Mistake: Only summarising what happens.
Fix: Keep asking: What does the writer think? How do they want the reader to feel?
Mistake: Quoting but not explaining.
Fix: After every quote, add: “This suggests…” and “The writer uses…”
Mistake: Too many quotes.
Fix: Use tiny quotes (1–6 words) and explain them properly.
References and useful revision links
Official AQA (best place to start):
- AQA Scheme of assessment (AOs incl. AO3)
- AQA English Language 8700 Assessment resources
- AQA Paper 2 Question Paper (June 2022)
- AQA Paper 2 Mark Scheme (June 2022)
- AQA Paper 2 Specimen Question Paper
- AQA Paper 2 Specimen Mark Scheme
Helpful teaching-quality resources:
Useful (third-party) for extra practice: