What this lesson teaches
I can explain what an integration policy is and the tensions it can cause.
Syllabus K336, Issue 2, Guiding Question 3, Citizens and government responding to socio-cultural diversity. Integration policy and its tensions
Make a guess
Source C is about language and Source D is about food. A student says they differ because of this. Is this a real comparison?
- Yes, as long as each source is described in turn.
- No, a comparison must match the two sources on the same point.
- Yes, a difference between the sources counts as a comparison.
Show the answer
No, a comparison must match the two sources on the same point.
Comparing different topics is not a comparison. Find a point both sources discuss, then show how they agree or differ.
Compare like with like on the same point. Top answers give a similarity and a difference, then compare purpose or attitude.
Comparison questions ask "How similar are Sources C and D?" or "How far does Source C agree with Source D?" They are usually worth 6 or 7 marks.
A real comparison matches the two sources on the same point. Saying "Source C talks about language and Source D talks about food" is not a comparison, because the topics differ. Instead: "Both sources agree that newcomers should keep their customs. C shows this through... while D..."
To climb, give both a similarity and a difference, each supported by quotes from both sources. The highest levels compare the authors' purpose or attitude, such as one source trying to persuade and the other reporting.
- Compare
- Same point, both sources, one sentence. Similarity and difference, then purpose.
Worked example: The comparison ladder
Source C, a council notice, says newcomers "can keep their cultural practices". Source D, a council member's proposal, says they should "follow the majority's customs".
- Level 1, compares provenance only: "Both come from council members."
- Level 2, one supported similarity or difference: "They differ on customs. C lets newcomers keep their practices, but D wants them to follow the majority's customs."
- Level 3, both a similarity and a difference: add "They are similar because both want newcomers to take part in shared activities."
- Top level, compare purpose: add "C was written to welcome newcomers to a programme, while D was written to persuade the council to choose assimilation."
Watch out for this
Describing Source C, then Source D, is a comparison.
Two separate summaries leave the comparing to the examiner. Put both sources in the same sentence, on the same point.
Check your understanding
Which sentence is a real comparison?
- Source C is about language, while Source D is about food at events.
- Both sources want newcomers to take part, but differ on customs.
- Source C is a notice, and it warmly welcomes newcomers to the hall.
Show the answer
Both sources want newcomers to take part, but differ on customs.
Right. It matches both sources on the same points.