Informational and Explanatory Writing: Writing a Compare and Contrast Essay

Standard and EQ: ELAGSE6W2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content. EQ: How can I write an effective informative/explanatory text that clearly conveys ideas, concepts, and information?

By the end of this lesson, students will know about: informative text structures (e.g., problem/solution, cause/effect, sequential) explanatory text structures (e.g., description or definition with causes, motives, or reasons) relevant content that supports or explains a topic how to write a compare/contrast essay

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to: determine the organizational structure that is most appropriate for the topic and purpose organize ideas, new information, and prior knowledge to clearly explain the topic analyze relevant content

What is expository writing? It … 1.gives facts. 2.explains. 3.gives steps in a process. 4.presents ideas in a logical order or sequence.

Graphic Organizer HOOK Supporting ideas conclusion details

Introductions (Opening paragraph) Grab the reader’s attention by: –Asking a question ???? –Onomatopoeia (Bang!) –Using some key words from the writing prompt.

Essay needs: Introduction paragraph (HOOK & THESIS) Body paragraphs (SUPPORTING IDEAS & DETAILS) Concluding paragraph (RESTATE SUPPORTING IDEAS)= 4-5 PARAGRAPHS REMEMBER= 3-4 different TRANSITION WORDS

How do I write a comparison and contrast essay? Let’s think about it in relation to comparing and contrasting a book and a movie…

Compare and Contrast Essay Organize your essay using one of the following methods: Point by Point Method Block Method or Whole-to-Whole Similarities and Differences

Let’s think about it in relation to comparing and contrasting a book and a movie…

Point by Point Method In this structure, you explain one point of comparison before moving to the next point. For instance, you would write about the characters in the book and movie in one section; then you would write about the setting in the book and movie in the next section.

Point by Point Method Introduction Point #1 (Characters in book and movie) Point #2 (Setting in book and movie) Conclusion

Block Method or Whole-to Whole In this structure, you say everything about one item then everything about the other. For instance, say everything about the characters, setting, and plot for the book then everything about the characters, setting, and plot for the movie. Whole-to- Whole comparison and contrast uses a separate section or paragraph for each item you're discussing.

Block Method or Whole-to Whole Introduction Book (Characters, Setting) Movie (Characters, Setting) Conclusion

Similarities-to-Differences Strategy In this structure, you explain all the similarities about the items being compared and then you explain all the differences. For instance, you might explain that the characters and plot were similar in both the book and movie in the one section. In the next section, you could explain that the settings were different. The book took place during the summer while the movie took place during the winter.

Similarities-to-Differences Strategy Introduction Similarities Differences Conclusion

Transitional Words and Phrases to Compare/Contrast Compare also and another in the same way likewise moreover similarly too Contrast although but even though however on the other hand unlike yet