Language Arts Do I want this car … ? Do I want this car … ? … or do I want that other car? … or do I want that other car? Instructions for the Compare/ Contrast Essay

Do I want this guy … ? Do I want this guy … ? … or do I want that guy? … or do I want that guy?

Do I want to visit Egypt on my next vacation … ? Do I want to visit Egypt on my next vacation … ? … or do I want to go to Las Vegas? … or do I want to go to Las Vegas?

Do I want to eat something healthy … ? Do I want to eat something healthy … ? … or do I want something bad? … or do I want something bad?

Understand what compare/ contrast essays require you to do: Always choose two equal items—two cars, two vacations, two sports stars— not two unequal items, like a car and an octopus. Next, decide if you want to compare or contrast as your primary strategy. Ultimately your job is to interest the reader. Choose points to discuss that are not immediately obvious.

Now let’s test your understanding... Now let’s test your understanding...

Are these two great topics to compare/contrast? A baby is like a vacuum cleaner. WRONG!

Are these two great topics to compare/contrast? Even though my little brother Fred is 20 years my junior, he and I have much in common. Yeah, baby!

Is this a great thesis statement? My sister and I look alike, have common hobbies, and enjoy the same foods. Boring!

Is this a great thesis statement? Even though Venus and Serena Williams are both professional tennis stars, they differ in their opinions about men, movies, and music. Excellent!

Make the compare/contrast essay interesting: Be sure that your essay has a purpose. Ask yourself this important question: Why would anyone want to read this compare/contrast essay? Compare – means “tell how these things are alike.” Contrast – means “tell how these things are different.” Does your essay start with an exciting opening and end with an interesting closing that summarizes your main points? Confirm that you have at least three quotations/quotes —used correctly and integrated purposefully in your essay.

Note these rules about names: If you refer to the character in the article, treat his/her name as your own and just capitalize. If you refer to the article, use quotation marks and capitalize all major words.

Here’s a sample question. Note one way to introduce the topic: Many times throughout their school years, children change schools. In the City of Westfield, there are seven elementary schools from kindergarten to grade five, there are two middle schools from grade six through grade eight, as well as two high schools. In a well-developed composition, compare and contrast the student life changes that you went through from elementary to middle school. Give details and important facts. Even though change is exciting and sometimes unpredictable, adjustments can be difficult for countless people. Many students move from elementary school to middle school and they can notice major changes and differences in their daily school life. There can also be many familiar similarities between both these types of schools.

Your question: Many times in life people are given a second chance to make changes or to better their circumstances. Scope magazine wrote articles about disadvantaged or orphaned children that experienced changes in their lives though adoption. There are many parts of each story that showcase similarities as well as differences with the children featured in the articles. In a well-developed composition, compare and contrast changes and opportunities that happened to the children in the articles. Give details and important facts to back up your writing.

Pick a pattern for your essay: Model #1 Introduction At least two introductory sentences – introducing your TOPIC Include a THESIS statement Compare likenesses of both articles At least three details Contrast differences of both articles At least three details Closing

Pick a pattern for your essay: Model #2 Introduction At least two introductory sentences – introducing your TOPIC Include a THESIS statement Contrast differences of both articles At least three details Compare likenesses of both articles At least three details Closing

Pick a pattern for your essay: Model # 3 Introduction At least two introductory sentences – introducing your TOPIC Include a THESIS statement Write about one article ~ using at least three details Contrast differences Compare likenesses Write about the other article ~ using at least three details Contrast differences Compare likenesses Closing

Final things to do: Read your work over in a 1” voice This will help you to catch your mistakes Make sure you use transition words Use a variety of transition words Make sure the paragraphs flow, one into the other Make sure you are using sentence variety Complex sentences automatically make your writing more interesting Do not introduce anything new in the closing

This 2009 PowerPoint presentation is an excerpt by Robin L. Simmons. All Rights Reserved. Robin L. SimmonsRobin L. Simmons This 2009 PowerPoint presentation is an excerpt by Robin L. Simmons. All Rights Reserved. Robin L. SimmonsRobin L. Simmons