Question 1
A student writes a comparison paragraph that states: 'Text A uses short sentences. Text B uses a rhetorical question.' Nothing else is added. Which step of the eight-step method has the student failed to complete?No clue? Show me the answer
Correct answerCorrect!
IncorrectStep-by-step walkthrough
Choose a solution method
Method #1Direct reasoningStep 1: What the paragraph does
The paragraph names a device in each text but explains nothing about meaning, purpose or difference. This is rung 1 of the mark-verb ladder: identify only.
Step 2: Match to the step
Step 6 requires PEA across both texts: Point, Evidence, and crucially Analysis explaining why each detail matters and how the texts diverge.
Step 3: Why analysis is missing
The student has evidence from both texts but has stopped before explaining significance, so the paragraph reads as descriptive rather than comparative.
Step 4: Conclusion
The failure is specifically in the analysis component of Step 6's PEA structure, not in earlier steps.
Method #2Process of eliminationStep 1: Anchoring problem ruled out
Anchoring happens privately in notes before writing; its absence wouldn't produce this exact symptom of naming devices with no follow-up.
Step 2: Reading problem ruled out
The paragraph clearly references both texts, so the student did read both; the issue is depth of analysis, not coverage.
Step 3: Thesis problem ruled out
A missing thesis would affect the whole essay's direction, not specifically cause this shallow, device-naming style within one paragraph.
Step 4: Correct step identified
The paragraph stalls at rung 1 of the ladder, exactly the failure Step 6's Analysis component is designed to prevent.
Question 2
According to the recommended method, why is point-by-point structure considered stronger than text-by-text structure for a timed comparison task?No clue? Show me the answer
Correct answerCorrect!IncorrectStep-by-step walkthrough
Choose a solution method
Method #1Direct reasoningStep 1: Recall the stated reason
The method explicitly states point-by-point is stronger because it forces direct comparison at every step.
Step 2: Why this matters
Text-by-text leaves the reader to mentally align the two discussions afterwards, which risks a descriptive rather than comparative essay.
Step 3: Connect to structure
Each paragraph in point-by-point tackles one spine idea for both texts together, embedding the comparison in the writing itself.
Step 4: Match to option
This matches the option describing forced direct comparison rather than length or reduced transition use.
Method #2Process of eliminationStep 1: Planning time claim rejected
The method requires locking in spine order before writing, so paragraph order is fixed, not flexible.
Step 2: Length claim rejected
Nothing in the method ties structure choice to essay length or reward for length under any criterion.
Step 3: Transition claim rejected
Transitions are required in every paragraph regardless of structure, so this claim contradicts the transition bank guidance.
Step 4: Correct answer confirmed
Only the option about forcing direct comparison matches the method's stated justification.
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