A literary text and a non-literary text can speak about the same thing in different ways. This lesson shows how to compare the idea they share and the method each one uses.
It is part of the cluster on literary comprehension and pairs with planning responses without copying an entire extract.
What three points do you compare?
Compare idea, purpose and technique. Idea is what the text is about. Purpose is what it wants from the reader. Technique is how it delivers the idea.
A literary text usually works through image and feeling. A non-literary text usually works through plain statement, instruction or fact.
Worked example: a verse and a notice
Both texts are original.
Text A (verse): Sungai itu dahulu jernih bagai cermin, / kini keruh ditelan sisa dan sampah.
Text B (notice): Pemberitahuan. Penduduk dilarang membuang sampah ke dalam sungai. Tindakan boleh diambil terhadap pesalah.
| Point | Text A | Text B |
|---|---|---|
| Idea | The river was once clean and is now polluted | The river must be kept free of rubbish |
| Purpose | To make the reader feel regret for what was lost | To stop people from polluting |
| Technique | A simile, “bagai cermin”, and the contrast of “dahulu” and “kini” | A direct ban and a warning of action |
The comparison sentence reads: “Both texts are concerned with the state of the river. Text A makes the reader feel the loss through the image of a mirror, whereas Text B gives a direct instruction backed by a warning.”
The mistake that costs marks
The slip is to describe each text in its own paragraph and never connect them. Text A is explained, Text B is explained, and the marker finds no comparison.
The fix is one sentence that holds both texts, joined by a word such as whereas or while. If the word is missing, the answer probably lists instead of compares.
Check yourself
Compare the two texts on idea, purpose and technique in three short lines.
Text A (verse): Ibu menyulam kain dengan sabar, / setiap jahitan menyimpan doa.
Text B (notice): Kelas menjahit percuma untuk ibu tunggal setiap Sabtu di dewan komuniti.
Answer
Idea: Text A values a mother’s patient work. Text B offers a chance to learn sewing. Both texts are about sewing, one as an act of love and the other as a skill to learn.
Purpose: Text A makes the reader appreciate the mother’s care. Text B invites people to attend classes.
Technique: Text A uses a personal image, “setiap jahitan menyimpan doa”. Text B states the facts of time, place and who may attend.
A joined sentence: “Both texts centre on sewing, but Text A expresses love through an image, whereas Text B informs readers of a class.”
What to study next
Finish the cluster with planning responses without copying an entire extract. The BM essay plan builder can help organise a longer comparison.
For a teacher who presses you to write the joining sentence, see online one-to-one Bahasa Melayu tuition.