1. Compare/Contrast
Essay Structure

2. The Glass Castle Analysis, Page 122
1. What happens in this passage?
2. What is Jeanette’s relationship with her father like during this point in the novel?
3. What effect do the language and diction in this passage have on the reader?
4. How do the diction and details influence your mood of this incident? How do they contribute to the content of this passage?

3. Compare/Contrast Graphic Organizer
Item #1: ______________________________ Item #2: _____________________________
How are they alike?
How are they different?

4. Compare/Contrast Analysis
Step 1) Frame of reference—basis for comparison Step 2) Make a list of the similarities and differences between the two things you’re comparing Craft a thesis (argument about how they’re similar and/or different Step 3) Write thesis: brainstorm ideas Step 4) Outline the rest of your paper Step 5) Write conclusion that goes with the gist of what you previously discussed that reinforces your thesis

5. Compare/Contrast: What’s the Point?
A comparison essay notes either similarities or similarities and differences.
A contrast essay notes only differences.
The comparison or contrast should make a point or serve a purpose. Often such essays do one of the following:
Clarify something unknown or not well understood
Lead to a fresh insight or new way of viewing something
Bring one or both of the subjects into sharper focus
Show that one subject is better than the other

6. Thesis: What to Do With It
The thesis can present the subjects and indicate whether they will be compared, contrasted, or both.
The same points should be discussed for both subjects; it is not necessary, however to give both subjects the same degree of development.
Effective thesis statements often answer these three questions:
What is the essay’s subject?
What is the main idea that will be discussed about the topic?
What is the evidence or support that will be used to support the main idea?
1) A subject: playing sports
2) A main idea: playing sports is beneficial for children
3) Support or Evidence: better cooperation, better coordination, and better overall health

7. Strong Thesis Examples
Sample thesis statement for contrast paper:  In terms of social networking sites, Facebook focuses on presenting your daily life to others, whereas MySpace allows you to focus more on demonstrating your personal style.
Sample thesis statement for compare/contrast paper:  While both Facebook and MySpace allow you to meet other users who have similar interests, only MySpace allows you to demonstrate your personal style. 
Contrast: In terms of _______, The Glass Castle focuses on _______, whereas/while “My Papa’s Waltz” describes ________.
Compare: Both The Glass Castle and “My Papa’s Waltz _______, _________, __________.
Compare/Contrast: While both The Glass Castle and “My Papa’s Waltz” contained _______ and ________, The Glass Castle focused on ________ while “My Papa’s Waltz” described __________.

8. Phrases to Use In Your Body Paragraphs
To Compare (Similarities)
To Contrast (Differences)
Also
Although
As well as
On one hand…on the other hand
Both
Differ
In the same way/manner
Even though
Like/likewise
However
Most important
In contrast
Same
On the contrary
Similar
Unless
The same as
Unlike
Too
While
Yet

9. Three Strategies to Organize C/C Essays
Whole-to-Whole (Block)
Discuss every point about one item from the novel in one-two paragraphs then discuss every point about the poem in another paragraph(s)
Similarities-to-Differences
Explain all the similarities about the items being compared in one-two paragraphs and then explain all the differences in separate paragraphs
Point-by-Point
In one paragraph, explain one point of comparison in both texts before moving to the next point of comparison

10. Keep In Mind These Three Things
Purpose & Supporting Details: uses relevant information, illustrates specific examples, and compares/contrasts items clearly
Organization & Structure: follows consistency and order, breaks info into appropriate paragraphs
Transitions & Coherence: moves smoothly from on idea to next, uses transition words that show relationships between ideas, and uses variety of syntax and transitions

11. Effective Hook Techniques Take a risk: No matter which technique you use, BE ORIGINAL and take a risk. Boring writing is predictable writing. Do something different…and a little weird.
Begin with a question: Boring…
Quotation or Statistic: Snoozing…
Personal story: Readers respond to personality! Give a little “slice of life” in a few sentences
Memorable anecdote: Tell a brief story, maybe even from someone else’s life
Metaphor: Creating a metaphor or analogy is a wonderful way to add style and using your own comparison shows you understand well enough to illustrate through figurative language
Unexpected claim: Can be very effective (“There are more slaves in the world today than at any point in human history.”) Statement seems false but is actually true
Vivid description: Paint a word picture for your reader, focusing on some object, place, or moment that connects to your topic
Humor: Incredibly effective if pulled off correctly
YOUR CHOICE: Any other strategy that is original and memorable

12. Concluding Paragraph Begin with a sentence that is a rephrased thesis
Follow the rephrased thesis with a synthesis of essay’s ideas and a closure for the essay—do not repeat things from your paper but instead show how the points you made and your examples fit together
Do not end abruptly or ramble to distraction
Play the “So What” game
Avoid: overused phrases, stating thesis for the first time in the conclusion, introducing new idea in conclusion

13. Peer Conferencing: PQP Process
Praise: What did the writer do well?
Question: What questions come to the reader’s mind?
Polish: What improvements could be made?
**Address each of these questions and leave feedback on conferencing worksheet**

14. Notecard Example Title & Author: Protagonist: Major Characters: POV:
Setting:
Tone:
Irony:
Symbols:
Theme:
Explanation of Title:
Memorable Quotation: