HOW TO WRITE A SUCCESSFUL ESSAY

What are Comparison and Contrast Essays?  Comparing things is something we do every day when we have to make decisions. For example, you might think of similarities or differences when we are buying a new MP3 player or choosing a college to attend.  You may need to evaluate two sides of an issue you have studied in a class or two proposals for research or projects in Science.  In these cases, you will need to write an essay or report to discuss your ideas about the topic. This is a comparison and contrast essay.

Comparison/Contrast Essay Organization Like other types of essays, a comparison and contrast essay must have a clear introduction and conclusion. The body of the essay can be organized many ways. We will learn the point by point organization.

THE INTRODUCTION  Begins with a hook/lead to grab the reader’s attention  Presents the topic or subject that is being compared and contrasted in the topic sentence.  Gives some general information about the topic.  Ends with a thesis statement that tells the reader specifically what will be compared and contrasted.

THE INTRODUCTION First decide if you think the topics are more like or unlike. This will help determine how you will state your position! 1.Think of both the T.V. version and the written screen play. 2.On the Venn Diagram list how they are alike and how they are different. 3.Now, decide if they are more alike or unlike. 4.Select what you want to discuss in your paper.

Beginning an essay with an effective Hook is absolutely essential! The hook is what inspires the reader to continue on and really want to read the paper. There are many different methods for writing effective, engaging, and interesting hooks. Regardless of the chosen method, the hook must ALWAYS lead into the THESIS. The average length of a hook should be 3-7 sentences (depending on the topic of the paper, and the method that is chosen) Hook/Lead

Types of Leads ● Figurative Language Lead ● Question Lead ● Announcement Lead ● Bold and Challenging Statement ● Quotation Lead ● Puzzle or Riddle Lead ● Personal Experience Lead ● Background Information Lead

Figurative Language Lead Begin with a simile (comparison using like or as), metaphor (comparison saying one thing is another thing), personification (giving something nonhuman human qualities), or hyperbole (exaggeration.) The figurative language must relate directly to your topic. Ex: The pencil sharpener was always hungry. It ate my pencil every time I went to sharpen it. It never seemed to do this to anyone's pencil but mine. What was so special about my pencils?

Question Lead ● Draw your reader in with a series of questions about your topic. – Ex: Have you ever wondered how you ‟ d survive if you found yourself alone in the wilderness? Would you know how to create your own shelter? Find edible food or clean drinking water? Would you know how to track where you are going and where you have been?

Announcement Lead ● Grab your reader's attention with an announcement – Ex: Caution! This is not a cookbook for the gourmet. You will find nothing fancy and exotic when you open this cover. These recipes are strictly for the cook on a tight budget!

Bold and Challenging Statement ● Use a bold statement to get your reader interested in reading more about your topic. – Ex: Contrary to what many people think, most learning takes place after that final bell rings at 2:30 and students head out to meet their buses. Most learning takes place outside of school.

Quotation Lead ● Start off your essay with a well known saying/quote or research a quote that applies to your topic. – Ex: I could still hear the nagging voice that told me, “You're going to regret this.” That’s what my best friend Liza said as I got on the roller coaster, without thinking about my low tolerance for extreme motions.

Puzzle or Riddle Lead ● Make your reader think. Give them a puzzle or riddle on your topic. – Ex: What textbook has no pages, is miles wide, smells like a creek and has been around for millions of years? That ‟ s right-Outdoor School.

Bold and Challenging Statement ● Use a bold statement to get your reader interested in reading more about your topic. – Ex: Contrary to what many people think, most learning takes place after that final bell rings at 2:30 and students head out to meet their buses. Most learning takes place outside of school.

Personal Experience Lead ● Use your personal experiences with your topic to make it relate-able to your reader. – Ex: I'm still glad I didn't cry at the funeral, although I did in my room later.

Background Knowledge Lead ● Help your reader know your topic inside and out by giving them some background knowledge. – Ex: I come from a family of six kids. In comparison to some, this is not many; but to most, six kids is an awful lot! As the middle child, and oldest girl, I was often responsible for my younger siblings. It is because of this, that to do this day, I feel incredibly over-protective of my siblings.

THESIS STATEMENT An acceptable thesis is crucial in the process of writing a critical paper. It usually is placed as the last sentence of the introductory paragraph.

THESIS STATEMENT A thesis normally consists of one or two clearly stated sentences that include the following: 1.The position statement. 2.The arguments (reasons) for the position. 3.The major weaknesses of or other views on the position.

THESIS STATEMENT EXAMPLES Camping out and sleeping at a motel have many similarities, such as the fun provided at both sites. There are also differences because of what it will cost and the availability of the location.

THESIS STATEMENT TEMPLATE There are many ___________ between __________________ and _________________ such as ___________. There are also many ___________ such as ______ and _________.

INTTRODUCTION EXAMPLES Eating is an activity that we as humans do at least two times a day. We live in a world where the variety of food is immense, and we are responsible for what we eat. We decide what we are about to eat and how it will affect our bodies. Consuming fresh foods and canned foods have many similarities, such as the availability of the product. There are also differences because of what they cost to buy, what health benefits they provide, and the flavor of the item.

INTRODUCTION EXAMPLES Traveling is one of the favorite hobbies almost all people have. There are several ways for traveling around the world, and they all include making the right choice about where to sleep at night. Camping out and sleeping at a motel have many similarities, such as the fun provided at both sites. There are also differences such as what it will cost, safety of the stay, and the availability of the location.

INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH Have you ever thought about whether an alien invasion is for the greater good or not? You may only think about this if there has ever been an invasion in your area. “The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street” and “The Iron Giant” have many similarities, such as the two boys are around the same age. On the other hand, there are more differences such as what they know about the aliens, what happens to them when they talk about the aliens, and their reaction to the aliens.

PARGRAPH EXAMPLES Although consuming fresh foods and canned foods have many similarities, such as the availability of the product, there are more differences because of what they cost to buy, what health benefits they provide, and the flavor of the item. Generally speaking, the most notable difference between these two kinds of foods is their flavor. Fresh foods have great flavor and taste because they keep all their natural conditions. Canned foods however, lack a lot of its flavor characteristics because there are some other chemical products added to the natural foods. Admittedly, it is logical that the fresh foods will have a greater taste and flavor when consumed just because of the time in which they have been prepared.

PARGRAPH EXAMPLES Although camping out and sleeping at a motel have many similarities, such as the fun provided at both sites, there are more differences because of what it will cost, safety of the stay, and the availability of the location. No doubt, motels are one of the most comfortable ways of traveling, but only if you have enough money. This way of traveling is mostly used by families and people who are wealthy enough to pay for good motels. By staying at a motel people will spend more money than they would spend in camping out; however, a motel will provide a high level of security to the traveler. Generally speaking, to stay at most motels, you need reservations, and once you have them you can rely on a place to sleep every night. Obviously, in this way of traveling no backup plan is needed.

PARGRAPH EXAMPLES There are many similarities between the written version and the T.V. version of Monsters Are Due On Maple Street such as plot. There are also many differences such as the use of music and sound effects. To begin with, The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street’s T.V. version and written version both have the same _______. For example, Another example_____________________ __________________________________________________________

PARGRAPH EXAMPLES Undoubtedly Tom and Huck are two of the most adventurous boys in their town, and are always looking for their next great adventure. For instance, Tom took a cast-away trip to Jackson Island where he and the other boys decided to become pirates. (p. 92. “It’s just the life for me,” said Tom, “you don’t have to get up mornings, and you don’t have to go to school, and wash, and all that blame foolishness”). Likewise, Huck ………………………………………….. (p. ………………..

The Conclusion In the final paragraph, talk about the most important ideas in your paper.  Give a brief summary of the most important similarities and differences.  Give your opinion or feeling about the topic. End with a personal statement, a prediction, or another snappy clincher.

The Conclusion  Give a brief summary of the most important similarities and differences. In conclusion, “The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street,” and the movie, “The Iron Giant,” have many more differences. One difference is what the two boys know about the aliens. More differences include what happens to the two boys when they talk about the aliens, and their reaction to the aliens. Although there are differences between the two stories, the differences are exactly what set these two stories apart.

The Conclusion  Give your opinion or feeling about the topic. End with a personal statement, a prediction, or another snappy clincher. In final analysis, there are three differences between buying fresh foods and buying canned foods. As we can see it comes down to a personal choice, based on the time each person has, the money and the importance he/she gives to his/her nutrition and health. Therefore it is important to consider all possibilities and choose the best type of foods for ones convenience and lifestyle.