1. Compare & Contrast Shuttleworth ■ APEL ■ Period 4
Neka Belizario ▪ Kyle Bowser
Macie Nelson ▪ Taylor Ozbun
Elias Roman
I like your title slide. Overall, a great presentation. Try to make your font size slightly larger throughout, but other than that, well done!

2. What is a Compare/Contrast Essay?
A compare/contrast essay analyzes the similarities and differences between two people, places, objects, events, or ideas.
Generally, the items themselves are similar to some extent, but have their fair share of differences (apples and cheeseburgers, football and baseball, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, etc.)
Text is WAY too small. Increase the size and split the info across 2-3 slides

3. The Purpose of a Compare/Contrast Essay
A compare/contrast essay can:
State something unknown (ex: The apple’s peel has more vitamins than the flesh)
Clear up a misunderstanding
Show that one thing is superior to another
Lead to a new way of doing/seeing/understanding something (ex: Apples and oranges can both be used in salads)
Argue a point with supported facts
Slightly too much information on this slide. Split between two slides

4. How Could You Organize Your Ideas?
To help build the foundation for the essay, collect information on each item (who/what/where/when, etc.).
This information can then be compiled into a table or Venn diagram to visually see what they have in common and what they do not. Make sure to have a relatively balanced set of information (# of similarities = # of differences).

5. How Could You Develop a Thesis?
In order to develop a thesis, it must be known whether the items in question are being compared (similarities), contrasted (differences), or both. List out the relevant qualities or aspects that you will discuss. Your thesis should not be too vague or general.
Your thesis must reflect what you will explicitly discuss in your essay. Don’t mention a specific comparison between X and Y if it will never be mentioned again.
Also, in the discussion of the items, try to find new or interesting information that the intended reader may have never known about or hasn’t considered. It will both educate the reader and grab their attention.
Split between two slides

6. Examples of Good and Bad Theses
Bad Thesis: Apples and oranges are similar in some ways, but at the same time, different.
Good Thesis: Both apples and oranges are juicy fruits from which we obtain many vitamins and healthy sugars.
Good Thesis: Apples are sweeter and more versatile, while oranges have a tangier taste and are more nutritious.

7. How Could You Structure the Essay?
The essay’s structure will follow that of your thesis. For example, if you were discussing both similarities and differences, it could follow as such:
Introduction (explain what the items are, thesis)
Aspects of Item 1
Aspects of Item 2
Similarities between the two
Conclusion (restatement of thesis)

8. Helpful Transition Words
Words to Describe Similarities
Likewise
In addition
As well as
Similarly
Correspondingly
In comparison
In the same way
Comparatively
Relatively
In the same manner
Words to Describe Differences
However
Nevertheless
In contrast
On the other hand
Although
Counter to
Whereas
To oppose
While
Despite (the fact that)
Contrary to
Great slide!

9. Works Cited
"Types of Papers: Compare/Contrast." Types of Papers: Compare/Contrast. Roane State Community College, n.d. Web. 02 Nov <
"Comparing and Contrasting." The Writing Center. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Web. 4 Nov <
Center, CLRC Writing. "Writing a Compare/Contrast Essay." (n.d.): n. pag. Web. 10 Nov < say.pdf>