1. Comparison-Contrast Essay
Writing Workshop
Comparison-Contrast Essay
KEY TRAITS
IDEAS
Clearly identifies the works being compared and/or contrasted
Includes a thesis statement that identifies the similarities and/or differences
Uses specific examples to support key ideas
2. ORGANIZATION
Includes a strong introduction, and a satisfying conclusion
Follows a consistent organizational pattern
Uses transitional words and phrases
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2. Comparison-Contrast Essay
Writing Workshop
Comparison-Contrast Essay
KEY TRAITS
3. VOICE
Uses appropriate language for the audience and purpose
4. WORD CHOICE
Uses precise words to explain similarities and differences
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3. Comparison-Contrast Essay
Writing Workshop
Comparison-Contrast Essay
KEY TRAITS
5. SENTENCE FLUENCY
Uses many different sentence beginnings for pacing and variety
6. CONVENTIONS
Employs correct grammar and usage
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4. Comparison-Contrast Essay
Writing Workshop
Apply the Writing Process: Prewriting
What Should I Do?
What Does It Look Like?
1. Analyze the prompt.
Review the writing prompt you selected. Circle the words that tell you the format that your writing will take. Underline words that include the topics you should compare and contrast and the audience and purpose of your writing.
TIP: If the prompt does not specify your audience, write for your teacher and classmates.
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5. Comparison-Contrast Essay
Writing Workshop
Apply the Writing Process: Prewriting
What Should I Do?
What Does It Look Like?
2. Focus on similarities and differences.
Reread (or re-view) the works you’re comparing, looking for elements that are alike and different. Use a graphic organizer, such as a Venn diagram, to record your findings.
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6. Comparison-Contrast Essay
Writing Workshop
Apply the Writing Process: Prewriting
What Should I Do?
What Does It Look Like?
3. Write a working thesis statement.
Summarize the similarities and differences between the works in a working thesis statement. You might need to refine this statement as you draft your essay.
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7. Comparison-Contrast Essay
Writing Workshop
Apply the Writing Process: Prewriting
What Should I Do?
What Does It Look Like?
4. Collect evidence.
Use a chart to record details and quotations that support the key ideas of your thesis.
TIP: When you use quotations from the works, copy the words precisely. Use ellipses (. . .) to show omitted material and brackets ([ ]) to add words or phrases for clarification.
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8. Comparison-Contrast Essay
Writing Workshop
Apply the Writing Process: Drafting
What Should I Do?
What Does It Look Like?
1. Choose an organizational pattern.
You can organize your comparison-contrast essay in two ways:
Point by point—Compare and contrast the works by discussing one element at a time.
Subject by subject—Discuss all the elements of one work first, then all the elements of the other.
TIP: Try each pattern to see which works better.
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9. Comparison-Contrast Essay
Writing Workshop
Apply the Writing Process: Drafting
What Should I Do?
What Does It Look Like?
2. Include specific details to show your key ideas.
Refer to the details you collected in step 4 on page 467. Incorporate these into your draft to make your writing stronger and more convincing.
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10. Comparison-Contrast Essay
Writing Workshop
Apply the Writing Process: Drafting
What Should I Do?
What Does It Look Like?
3. Use transitions to clarify relationships between ideas.
Use words such as both and like to indicate similarity. Words and phrases such as however, in contrast, and on the other hand show difference.
See page 470: Add Transitions
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11. Comparison-Contrast Essay
Writing Workshop
Apply the Writing Process: Revising & Editing
What Should I Do?
What Does It Look Like?
1. Make sure your introduction engages the reader.
Read your introduction aloud. Circle sentences that seem obvious or boring.
Add an interesting observation, a question, or some dialogue to catch the reader’s attention.
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12. Comparison-Contrast Essay
Writing Workshop
Apply the Writing Process: Revising & Editing
What Should I Do?
What Does It Look Like?
2. Replace imprecise vocabulary with strong, specific words.
Underline vague words and phrases, such as really, kind of, sort of, lots, and things.
Use precise terms to make your essay more accurate and sophisticated.
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13. Comparison-Contrast Essay
Writing Workshop
Apply the Writing Process: Revising & Editing
What Should I Do?
What Does It Look Like?
3. Clearly connect your ideas.
Draw a box around each transition that you used.
If your essay lacks boxes, add transitions that clarify how ideas compare or contrast.
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14. Comparison-Contrast Essay
Writing Workshop
Apply the Writing Process: Revising & Editing
What Should I Do?
What Does It Look Like?
4. Fine-tune your conclusion to leave a powerful impression.
Ask a peer reader to highlight parts of your conclusion that are confusing or that need more elaboration.
Include details or explanations to clarify your ideas and show your reader a new way of thinking about the works.
See page 470: Ask a Peer Reader