Comparison and Contrast Essay

What is comparison and contrast?  Comparison shows how two or more things are similar  Contrast shows how two or more things are different

Searching points for discussion  Determine your emphasis on similarities, differences, or both.  Determine the major focus of your paper.  Make sure you treat the same or similar elements for each subject you will discuss: Chapter AChapter B Major characters Themes Conflicts/ Cultural Values Conflicts/ Cultural Values

OUTLINE  I.Introduction  a) Attention Getter or Hook  b) Background Information  c) Thesis/Claim  II. Chapter A  a) Characters  b) Themes  c) Conflicts/Cultural values  One quotation and Explanation for each aspect  III. Chapter B  a) Characters  b) Themes  c) Conflicts/Cultural values  One quotation and explanation for each aspect  IV. Conclusion  a) Emphasize Major Ties  b) So What?  c) Evaluation

TRANSITIONS  To Compare  also  as  in the same way  like  likewise  similarly  comparable  equally  in addition  To Contrast  -although  -but  -even though  -however  -on the other hand  -otherwise  -yet  -still  -conversely  -as opposed to  -different from  -whereas

Formulating a Thesis Statement  Identify not only the subjects to be compared and contrasted in your essay, but the three points you will make about them.  Although “Night Women” and “Between the Pool and the Gardenias” are both about the struggles of Haitian women, the characters, themes and cultural values are unique and provide a different message to the reader.

Student Example: Comparison and Contrast Essay