English Skills with Readings Ninth Edition John Langan Zoé L. Albright ©McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. Authorized only for instructor use in the classroom.  No reproduction or further distribution permitted without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.

Compare and/or Contrast Notes Chapter 13 Compare and/or Contrast Notes

Chapter 13 Notes

Comparison and Contrast To compare is to show how two or more things are similar. To contrast is to show how two or more things are different. The purpose of comparing and contrasting two or more things is to understand each of the things more clearly, and, at times, to make judgments about them.

Two Common Methods of Development One side at a time All points of one side are addressed, and then compared or contrasted with the other side in the same order of points. Point by point Each point on each side is compared or contrasted in turn.

One Side at a Time: Sample Outline Topic sentence: College requires students to study differently than they did in high school. College Self-directed study Campus environment Heavy course load High school More in-class time for study Fewer distractions at home Lighter course load

Point by Point: Sample Outline Topic sentence: College requires students to study differently than they did in high school. Support for study College High school Study environment Work load

COMPARE/CONTRAST ESSAY Your Essay will include: 4-7 paragraphs (introduction, 2-5 body paragraphs highlighting similarities and/or differences, conclusion) A thesis statement Appropriate use of transitions 1-2 quotes per body paragraph as evidence of similarities/differences

Transitions In a compare/contrast essay, certain types of words will help you explain your point-of-view more completely. Here’s a sample list: Along the same line, In the same way, Likewise, Similarly Although, But, By contrast, However, on the other hand, While, yet

COMPARE/CONTRAST – THESIS STATEMENT DEVELOP A THESIS STATEMENT: The thesis statement will evolve from brainstorming. Ask yourself – is there something important or interesting in the similarities and differences in these stories?

COMPARE/CONTRAST – INTRODUCTION ORGANIZATION: Introduction – Begin with a hook. Introduce subjects clearly. It might be helpful to provide very brief summaries of each text. State why it is important to compare and contrast these two texts. Transition into thesis statement at the end.

BODY PARAGRAPH EXAMPLE (SIMILARITY) In both Divergent and The Hunger Games, the act of non- conforming is harshly criticized. In Roth’s novel, Tris laments that “It will be difficult to break the habits of thinking Abnegation instilled in me, like tugging a single thread from a complex work of embroidery. But I will find new habits, new thoughts, new rules. I will become something else” (Roth 87). The author compares those who would “conform” or follow, as opposed to redefining who you are in a faction. Collins echoes this viewpoint when she insists, “All I can think is how unjust the whole thing is, the Hunger Games. Why am I hopping around like some trained dog trying to please people I hate?” (Collins 14). She implies conformity is for the weak and, the destruction of ones beliefs and own thoughts will lead to a greater demise than if she stayed in the Hunger Games.

BODY PARAGRAPH EXAMPLE (DIFFERENCE) Both works deal with possible future societies, and both take a negative view of the power and control Government takes over the individual, but the consequences of Collins’s dystopian society are far more dire. In Roth's work, the Government keeps its people under control “through breaking them into factions.” They do not fraternize with members of other factions, are feed information by those with power and are easily manipulated by the governing powers to believe inaccurate information about other factions. Collins's work has a similar Government control structure, but hers is more brutal; the Government simply keeps its citizens “poor and desperate” (Collins 5), working like slaves with no chance of escape or advancement, while the rulers in Government live like kings off their work.

COMPARE/CONTRAST – CONCLUSION The conclusion should rephrase your thesis statement, summarize your main points and leave the reader with something interesting or meaningful to think about: Ex. Divergent and The Hunger Games were written only years apart, yet they share common themes that are relevant today’s society and will continue to be relevant for decades to come.

Chapter 13 and 2 Developing an Essay Notes

The Sequence of Steps in Writing an Effective Essay (p22-23) Discovering a thesis/claim – often through prewriting Developing solid support for the thesis/claim – often through more prewriting Organizing the thesis and supporting material and writing it out in a first draft. Revising and then editing carefully to ensure an effective, error-free essay.

Development through Prewriting (p23) “Steps 1 and 2” Technique Freewriting (23) Questioning (25) Making a List (26) Clustering (28) Preparing a Scratch Outline (29)

Writing a First Draft (p31) “Step 3” Be prepared to add thoughts and details that were no in the prewriting. If you hit a snag, leave a blank space or comment such as “Do Later” and press on to finish the essay. Don’t worry about grammar, punctuation, or spelling YET. Your goal is to state your thesis/claim clearly and develop the content of your essay with plenty of specific details.

Writing Prompt Prompt: In the songs, “Jack’s Lament” and “How Far I’ll Go,” Jack and Moana respectively sing about their discontentment with their current life situations. Write a response in which you analyze and compare and/or contrast each character’s struggle.