COMPARE AND CONTRAST ESSAY Quick Review

Time 40 minutes 7-10 minutes to plan Write thesis in planning time!

The Subject Matter compare (similarities) and contrast (differences) key themes and issues in two cultures within one chronological period. focus on at least two different societies or civilizations, which are probably interacting with each other in some manner or method. students will not have a choice about which essay to write. –choose between two or three sub-themes (PERSIA) or regions, but all students will write the same essays on relatively the same topic.

Example: Compare and contrast how the First World War and its outcomes affected TWO of the following regions in the period from the war to the 1930s. –East Asia –Middle East –South Asia

Thesis must have an acceptable thesis, which addresses the similarities and differences between two subjects or themes It is best in the thesis paragraph or thesis statement to make a significant and direct comparison It is not acceptable to simply say, “the two civilizations were similar and different” – specify how they are similar and different.

Body Paragraphs The first body paragraph should examine the items of comparison. The second body paragraph should show contrasting aspects of the two civilizations, events, etc. Students must make two or more relevant, direct comparisons between or among societies. The acronym P.E.R.S.I.A.N. will help to find 3 categories of comparison and contrast Within the categories, the student should compare and contrast the two civilizations.

Supporting The Thesis Students must substantiate the thesis with appropriate historical evidence. –It is not sufficient to make a statement without use of proof or evidence –use evidence, which is clear and detailed –Cite/include key vocabulary, dates, historical events, persons, trends, and occurrences

Conclusion Rewrite your thesis! Not necessary but worth doing for extra pts. put the essay in global context.

Some Pitfalls Wrong time periods Don’t add in details that you aren’t sure of Not backing up arguments with specific facts, i.e. generalizations Writing in the past tense and 3rd person

Some Pitfalls Using the same idea for both similarities and differences: –Ex: afterlife—both Sumer and Egypt believe in one; however Egypt believes some will go to the Happy Field of Food or Eater of the Dead (crocodile god) while Sumer believes in a pessimistic view of the afterlife –Ex: systems of writing—both had forms of communication; however, Egyptian hieroglyphs were pictures to represent and idea and Sumerian cuneiform was a series of wedges and shapes that created words. Lame answers: –Ex: “both similar b/c they are by rivers” instead—they both used natural resources of the rivers for trade as well as irrigation for their crops –Ex: “Both are in different locations”

Prompt Compare and contrast the goals and outcomes of the revolutionary process in two of the following countries beginning with the dates specified: –Mexico in 1910 –China in 1911 –Russia in 1917

Homework PROMPT: Compare and contrast the superheroes Superman and Spider Man. Make sure you show evidence of pre-writing. Write one paragraph for compare and one for contrast. Underline your thesis. Write a conclusion.