Compare and Contrast Essay English Notes Mrs. Jewett

Comparing and Contrasting Comparing and contrasting is a type of expository writing. To compare something would be to note the similarities between two things. To contrast something would be to note the differences between two things.

Where to begin… Brainstorm for different details about each subject. Use a Venn diagram, or other chart to organize your details in the right category.

Writing your essay One way of organizing your essay is by using the point-by-point (feature-by-feature) format. In this format you will compare and contrast both subjects by each point of comparison (what your are comparing or contrasting about your subjects)

Feature by Feature Format: Similarities and Differences Introduction: Begin with a sentence that catches the reader’s attention. This might be a question, a reason people find the topic interesting, important, or something that the two subjects have in common. Name the two subjects and tell whether they are very similar, very different, or if they have many important (or interesting) similarities and differences.

Paragraph #2 Use a transition to introduce the two subjects. \ Discuss how both subjects compare on one feature or contrast. (How are they similar? How are they different?) You can add more features as you go along. For each comparison, make sure to use compare/contrast cue words such as similar to, also, similarly, comparatively, etc.

Paragraph #3 Make sure to use a transitions to introduce each point of comparison the subject’s differences. Continue the pattern set in paragraph 2 discussing a feature that shows the subjects’ differences. Make sure to use cue words such as unlike, on the other hand, in contrast, etc. Be sure to include examples proving that differences exist.

Conclusion In the final paragraph, give a brief, general summary of the most important similarities and differences. End with a personal statement, a prediction, or another catchy statement.

For Instruction… Distrubute Venn Diagram and T-chart Venn Diagram: note where you would organize details on differences and where you would organize detail on similarities. Do handout page 105 Read “Artic Disaster”. Use the graphic organizer (T-chart ) to separate features of historical Artic exploration and modern day Artic exploration.

Writing your essay Another good way of organizing a comparison/contrast essay is through the block format. This format would, for example, discuss one subject in the first paragraph and another subject in the second paragraph.

Block Format: Step by step Introduction: Begin with a sentence that catches the reader’s attention. This might be a question, a reason people find the topic interesting, important, or something that the two subjects have in common. Name the two subjects and tell whether they are very similar, very different, or if they have many important (or interesting) similarities and differences.

Paragraph #2 The next paragraph describes features of the first subject. Be sure to include examples proving the similarities and/or differences. Do not mention the second subject.

Paragraph #3 The next section must begin with a transition showing you are comparing or contrasting the second subject to the first. For each comparison, use compare/contrast words such as similar to, also, unlike, on the other hand, etc. Make sure to include examples proving similarities and/or differences exist. Make new paragraphs to avoid very long paragraphs.

Conclusion In the final paragraph, give a brief, general summary of the most important similarities and differences. End with a personal statement, a prediction, or another catchy statement.

Modified Block Format Example: Despite all these similarities, (two subjects) are different in significant ways. The modified block format focuses on the two subjects and all their similarities in the first half of the essay. The second half of the essay focuses on the two subjects an all their differences.