Compare and Contrast Essays 8th Grade English Language Arts Power of Words Unit

Compare and Contrast Essay--Speeches The Basics Pick two speeches we covered to compare and contrast Minimum 5 paragraphs Due date Friday, February 16 Typed using MLA format We’ll get Chromebooks for one class period The rest is on your own First test grade of Term 3 Outline required (5 pt. deduction)

Part 1: Formulating an Argument Doesn’t necessarily mean we need to say something is better Make sure you discuss the topic in a meaningful way Why are these speeches important? Why should the audience care? Avoid saying… “Indian Rights” and “I Have a Dream” are both similar and different. Too simplistic with nothing really to say Brainstorm your topic Already done for speeches (chart) Write your thesis Amazing Thesis Worksheet

Part 2: Organizing the Essay Decide on a Structure Point by Point Method Discuss one aspect (tone, purpose, audience, etc…) about one speech at a time For example: Discuss Red Cloud’s audience and Abraham Lincoln’s audience in the same paragraph Then analyze them in that same paragraph Block Method Talk about all aspects of each speech in a separate paragraph Then, have a paragraph to synthesize speeches

Samples Block Method Point by Point Method II Buses A. more stops B. slower III Subway A. fewer stops B. faster IV Analysis A. how are they alike B. how do they differ Point by Point Method II Convenience A. Buses make more stops B. Subways make fewer stops III Speed A. Buses take longer due to stops B. Subways are quicker due to less stops IV Analysis A. how are they alike B. how are they different

Part 3: Outlining the Essay Helps to organize ideas before you put them down on page Essay should be 5 paragraphs No matter how your essay is set up, you’ll have… Introduction At least 3 body paragraphs Conclusion We’ll discuss these in more depth later

Part 4: Outlining/Drafting Introduction Introduces broad topic Speeches Then narrows down to specific topic The two speeches you choose Be sure to include author and speech name Thesis statement Already written in Part 1

Part 4: Outlining/Drafting Body Paragraphs Meat of your essay Provide details and evidence to support claim Should not only provide, but analyze evidence ELA is an important subject in school. Without being able to read and write, a student will lack the skills necessary to communicate clearly, not only in school, but also in the 21st century work environment. Avoid making lists of similarities and differences Should be at least 3 paragraphs in length

Part 4: Outlining/Drafting Conclusion Summary of main points Restate thesis, but in a new way Remember that you audience now has all the info you gave them in essay They don’t need the exact same thing said to them again Identify the significance of essay What was the point you just made? For our essay: Can using effective rhetorical techniques influence an audience?

Part 5: Revising Transitions Connect paragraphs or sentences to each other Key is highlighting connections between previous paragraphs or sentences Help readers understand… How paragraphs or sentences work together Reference one another Build to a larger point

Part 5: Revising (Transitions) The snow had been falling since midnight and wasn’t supposed to stop until around noon. The superintendent cancelled school for the day. These two sentences don’t fit right together. Something is missing that will connect the two. The snow had been falling since midnight and wasn’t supposed to stop until around noon. With that in mind, the superintendent cancelled school for the day.

Part 5: Revising (Word Choice) Choosing better words so we don’t repeat the same thing over and over Let’s say we were writing about a baseball player There is only so many times you can say “hit” He hit a home run. He slammed a home run. He crushed a home run.

Part 6: Proofreading Apostrophes Forming possessive nouns Add an apostrophe and an s to singular nouns Father’s car wouldn’t start this morning. We found Dave’s book on the floor. Add just an apostrophe to plural nouns ending in s or es The dogs’ owner had a big vet bill. The two churches’ congregations worked together on the project.