Foster Comparative Workbook HL16 is to be used when studying Claire Keegan's novel Foster for the Comparative Study component of the Leaving Certificate Higher Level examination in 2016. This workbook covers the modes of Cultural Context, Literary Genre and General Vision and Viewpoint.

The workbook is designed to be completed by students after they have read Foster and are beginning to analyse and study the novel in preparation for the Comparative Study.

Comparative Study Workbook Series at a glance:

• Simple, easy to follow layout.
• Keeps students' notes in one place - no more missing pages!
• Colour coding lets students identify the mode they're working in - encouraging student confidence.
• 'Know your text' questions - students answer text specific questions within each mode.
• 'Know your mode' questions - students apply their knowledge of the text to clear, direct questions, centred on each mode.
• Students' answers become their notes - greater textual engagement than reading notes alone.
• Workbook questions focus on Personal Response to develop each student's understanding of the text.
• 'Know your mode' questions are consistent in each workbook - allowing easy comparison of texts for comparative study essay writing.

The workbook is divided into three coloured sections, one for each comparative mode. Each coloured section has two parts to it. The first part focuses on the text itself, and asks text specific questions within that comparative mode. This helps students to become familiar with the text and the aspects of the text that are covered by that comparative study mode.

The second part of each section focuses on one of the comparative study modes. In this part, more general, mode specific questions are asked. Students then have to take what they know about the text and apply it to the mode. By doing this, they will become very familiar with what each comparative study mode involves, and it will help prepare them for writing essay length comparative study answers.

Scene by Scene Comparative Workbooks can be used in class, or at home. By completing this workbook, students will have their own comparative study notes organised for independent study. By actively creating these notes through completing the workbook, students engage with the text, and confidence in their ability to handle the comparative study grows.

The workbook is divided into three coloured sections, one for each comparative study mode. This design feature means that Scene by Scene's Comparative Workbooks (Foster Comparative Workbook HL16, A Doll's House Comparative Workbook HL16 and The King's Speech Comparative Workbook HL16) complement each other. It is easy to identify each mode and make comparisons and contrasts between texts - simply use matching coloured sections of each of the workbooks to identify similarities and differences.

According to the 2013 Chief Examiner's Report, the Comparative Study was the second lowest - scoring section in the Leaving Cert English exam. Our workbooks provide a framework to help teachers tackle this issue!

Scene by Scene Classroom Questions teaching guides are also available separately to aid in lesson planning and preparation. Foster Classroom Questions contains 112 questions, divided by chapter, to keep students engaged and actively thinking about the novel.