Remember that the only way to get better is to practice it.
Compare/Contrast Essays
Learning Objectives
- identify transitions that show compare or contrast
- identify effective thesis statement for compare/contrast essays
- explain several characteristics of compare/contrast essays
What is Compare/Contrast?
- Compare means to look at what is similar between two things.
- Contrast means to look at what is different between two things.
- Sometimes a compare/contrast essay is just called comparison.
Before You Write
- Think about your topic
- Make a plan
- Use Venn diagram or T chart for preparing
Thesis Statement
- Mention the two things you are comparing or contrasting in your thesis statement.
- Indicate whether you will compare or contrast.
Method of Organization
Block method
- Intro
- A \
- A |- Body paragraph 1
- A /
- B \
- B |- Body paragraph 2
- B /
- Conclusion
Point-by-Point method
- Intro
- A \
- B /- Body Paragraph 1
- A \
- B /- Body Paragraph 2
- A \
- B /- Body Paragraph 3
- Conclusion
Shows similarity and/or difference side by side.
Planning Your Essay
- You will use point-by-point method
- Make a Ven Diagram or T chart
- Plan on similarity or difference for each body paragraph
Teacher Discusses a Compare/Contrast Essay
- Thesis need to be specific
- One major difference between ...
- On the other hand, ...
- Another difference between ...
- Body paragraph needs conclusion or transtion words.
- Using keyword as a transtion
- To sum up, ...
- Conclusion should be short as well. (It was 3 sentences in example essay)
Practices
- Do some prewriting activities to help your brainstorm.
- Write your first draft. Don't worry too much about making it good yet.
- Revise your essay to make sure you use the tools for good writing that you've learned.
- thesis statement with topic and controlling idea
- unity in paragraphs -- all ideas related to topic sentence
- use good sentence variety
- topic sentnces starting each body paragraph
- coherence -- use transitions and keywords
- use parallel structure
- use correct verb tenses
- use commas correctly
- Rewrite your essay to make it your best writing.
Topics
- Contrast people of your age with those of your parents' generation. Think about beliefs, values, goals, traditions, language, etc.
- It has been said "Not everything is contained in books." Contrast the knowledge gained from experience with knowledge gained from books. Be sure to support your answer.
- Contrast the way you behave and talk with your parents to the way you are with your friends. Be specific.