Comparison/Contrast ExploringAndANALYZING Similarities and Differences in Life

Georgia Performance Standards: Advanced Composition Advanced Composition focuses on the writing process (planning, drafting, and revising). The students will focus on different modes of discourse: narrative, descriptive, exemplification, process analysis, cause and effect, compare and contrast, classification and division, definition, and argumentation. Advanced grammar skills will be a major component of this class. An emphasis on research is also required.

Georgia Performance Standards: Advanced Composition The student writes comparison and contrasts. Specifically, the student a. Constructs a thesis/topic sentence that tells readers what to expect in the piece, identifying not only the subjects to be compared and contrasted, but also the point to be made. b. Uses subject-by-subject or point-by-point comparisons. c. Uses transitions and transitional paragraphs that connect one part of an essay to another.

COMPARISON and CONTRAST UNIT Essential Questions: How does comparison/contrast "work" as rhetorical mode? How do we use comparison/contrast in our daily lives? Will structure/organization make our comparisons more persuasive?

Trying the Method of Comparison / Contrast: Write two brief paragraphs: 1.Compare an apple and a banana. 2.Contrast a lemon and an orange. 3.List and explain three ways you used Comparison / Contrast last weekend— For example: 1.Shopping 2.Sports 3.Restaurants

Comparison and Contrast: Definitions Two thought processes we constantly perform in everyday life. Compare: show how things/ideas/people are similar Contrast: show how they are different. The purpose of comparing or contrasting is to understand each of the two things more clearly and, at times, to make judgments about them.

Trying the Method: Venn Diagrams Choose one topic or one of your own. Two relatives Two cars/trucks Contact lenses or glasses Two towns or cities Nature in the city vs. in the country Living in the city vs. living in the country The works of two artists or writers Two jobs you have held Two experiences with discrimination A good and bad job interview (or job) Your relationships with two friends Two candidates for a public office

VENN DIAGRAM LondonNew York

Choosing Topics: Writing a Comparison with a Purpose in Mind The purpose of writing a comparison/contrast is not to randomly compare and contrast interesting details from two texts. In other words, what do you want to SHOW? What is the overall purpose that your comparison/contrast will serve? So….What? What is important or VALID?

Using Comparison/Contrast 1.Choose a subject 2.Make a list of –Points of Similarity –Points of Difference

Organizing and Drafting a Comparison Two basic patterns for organization: block or alternating. The paper may deal with similarities, differences, or some combination of them.

OUTLINING: Two Types A. The Block Pattern, or “One Side at a Time”: The block pattern first presents all of the points of comparison/contrast for one item and then all the points of comparison/contrast for the other.

Introduction: Thesis: Although the two diets can result in similarly rapid weight loss, Dr. Phil McGraw’s diet requires much more self-discipline and is nutritionally much riskier than Weight Watchers. First Block: Dr. Phil’s Diet *First Point: Speed of weight loss Transition *Second Point: Required self-discipline Transition *Third Point: Nutritional risk Transition to ….Second Block: Weight Watchers *First Corr’ing Point: Speed of weight loss Transition *Second Corr’ing Point: Required self-discipline Transition *Third Corr’ing Point: Nutritional risk Conclusion:

OUTLINING: Two Types B. The Alternating Pattern, or “Point by Point”: This pattern presents a point about one item, then follows immediately with a corresponding point about the other to show similarity or contrast.

Introduction: Thesis: The two diets can result in similarly rapid weight loss, but Dr. Phil McGraw’s diet requires much more self-discipline and is nutritionally much riskier than Weight Watchers. Dr. Phil’s Diet: Point #1 Transition: Weight Watchers: Point #1 Transition: Dr. Phil’s Diet: Point #2 Transition: Weight Watchers: Point #2 Transition: Dr. Phil’s Diet: Point #3 Transition: Weight Watchers: Point #3 Conclusion:

Writing a Comparison/Contrast: Selecting Details Do all the details relate to my purpose? Do any new details come to mind? In what order should I organize the details?

Assignments This/Next week…. Read pp in 40 Model Essays Read this Power Point Read C/C packet and do activities Read/ Write Comparison / Contrast Paragraphs Look up C/C Websites Read Essays and Do Comparisons (next slide) Do Comparison and Contrast Handouts (steps 1-4)—work toward writing the Essay Choices of topics:Write Essay Assignment – Choices of topics: –Pages in 40 Model Essays –C/C Handouts… –Your choice (check with Dr. Bagby)

Read and Outline, Table or Venn: Set up categories of comparison Decide: Does the author use Block or Alternating? GROUPS –Britt, p. 209 –Catton, p. 209 –Tannen, p. 155 –Rodriguez, p. 224 –Student Samples (Net Op)

GRADE SCALE for Comparison…. Coherence (25) –Clear Organization according to assignments –Transitions Unity (25) –Topic sentences/Thesis –Each side or block is distinct no bleeding Support (25) –Evidence –Concrete details to support Sentence skills (25) –Major errors / BE verbs –Your Boo-boos (Errors you make consistently)!