Compare/ Contrast Essay Shellenberger English Language Arts

The mode of compare/ contrast  Compare and contrast essays are used to examine two or more subjects and the similarities and/or differences between them.  The task of this mode is to clarify something unknown by analyzing it next to something with which the reader is familiar.

More about this mode… Click on this link and view the tutorial. Vw&feature=colike

Your Thesis Statement  It is important that your thesis statement clearly states whether you will be comparing (giving similarities),OR contrasting (showing differences), OR both.

Prewriting Strategy When writing a compare/contrast essay it is important that you begin with a prewriting strategy to organize your ideas. Use a Venn Diagram es/interactives/venn/ When you are finished, print.

Know your purpose Are you comparing (finding similarities)? Are you contrasting (finding differences)? Are you doing both?

Know your audience Who are you directing your essay to? Knowing who you are writing the essay for will help you choose appropriate language for your essay. Who is your audience? Teens? The Government? Parents? School Administration? Farmers? The general public?

Organization There are several ways of organizing information for a compare/contrast essay. After you know your purpose you can choose from one of the outlines that are appropriate way for you to organize your information. The two common organization methods for this mode are point-by-point or subject-by-subject.

point-by-point To organize your compare/contrast essay point by point, discuss both your subjects together for each point of comparison. Introduction Appearance a. apples b. oranges Taste a. apples b. oranges Nutritional value a. apples b. oranges Conclusion

Subject-by-subject Introduction Apples a. appearance b. taste c. nutritional value Oranges a. appearance b. taste c. nutritional value Conclusion NOTE: Number of body paragraphs can range from 2 to 3 per point, depending upon the amount of information you are presenting

Alternate Organization Choice 1 1. Introduction 2. Similarities 3. Differences 4. One Major Similarity/One Major Difference 5. Conclusion

Alternate Organization Choice 2 1. Introduction 2. Major Similarity a. Evidence 3. Major Difference a. Evidence 4. Minor Similarities/Differences 5. Conclusion

Alternate Organization Choice 3 1. Introduction 2. Difference #1 a. Contrasting evidence 3. Difference #2 a. Contrasting evidence 4. Difference #3 a. Contrasting evidence 5. Conclusion

Alternate Organization Choice 4 1. Introduction 2. Similarity #1 a. Comparative evidence 3. Similarity #2 a. Comparative evidence 4. Similarity #3 a. Comparative evidence 5. Conclusion

Use of language TIPS: Be sure to use academic language in your writing. Do not speak casually (like you are talking to your pals…) Avoid words like:  Pretty  Very  Really  You  A lot

USE these words to make comparisons or contrasts Similarities Both Similarly Likewise Same And Also Differences However By contrast Otherwise Differently But While

QUIZ

1) Compare and contrast essays are used to examine two or more subjects and the ______________and/or differences between them. a) equalities b) similarities c) negatives d) positives Click tiger to go to next question

2) It is important that your thesis statement clearly states whether you will comparing or contrasting or both. a) sometimes b) always c) never d) It depends Click tiger to go to next question

3) The purpose of a compare/contrast essay is to…(select the most correct answer here) a) To discuss similarities b) To discuss differences c) To discuss both similarities & differences d) All of the above Click tiger to go to next question

4) It is important to use a prewriting strategy before beginning your essay. a) no, not always b) Some of the time if it’s a complicated topic c) Every time d) I don’t need to because I do it in my head Click tiger to go to next question

5) What are the two forms of organization for compare/contrast essay? a)Similarities-by-similaritiesSimilarities-by-similarities b)Point-by-pointPoint-by-point c)Subject-by-subjectSubject-by-subject d)Differences-by-differencesDifferences-by-differences e)Both b and cBoth b and c Click tiger to go to end quiz

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Resources page Bowers, K. (2006). Secondary Solutions. National Council for Teachers of English. Read, Write, Think.

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