Professor Nichols Comparison & Contrast Essay

ENC 1101 Do I want this car … ? Do I want this this car … ? … or do I want that other car? … or do I want that other other car? Instructions for the Comparison or Contrast Essay

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

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

Understand what comparison or contrast requires 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. The essay should be 80/20 in favor of one strategy, not 50/50. 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...

A baby is like a vacuum cleaner. WRONG!

Even though my little brother Fred is 20 years my junior, he and I have much in common. Yeah, baby!

My sister and I look alike, have common hobbies, and enjoy the same foods. Boring!

Even though Venus and Serena Williams are both professional tennis stars, they differ in their opinions about men, movies, and music. Excellent!

Make the comparison or contrast interesting. Be sure that your essay has a purpose. Ask yourself this important question: Why would anyone want to read this comparison or contrast? Consider giving the essay a specific audience. You might even want to organize the essay as a plea to a specific group. My current car is a death trap! Parents (I’m speaking to you, Mom and Dad.) should care what their kids drive. For this reason, I want you to consider helping me pay for my dream car, a 2008 Honda Accord …

Pick a pattern for your essay. Alternation Pattern The thesis statement will read like this: Because of X, Y, and Z, Subject A is similar to [or different from] Subject B. Each body paragraph will discuss both Subject A and Subject B. IntroductionIntroduction All about Point X All about Point Y All about Point Z ConclusionConclusion

Pattern B will look a bit different. Block Pattern The thesis statement should not include restrictions, like this: Subject A is similar to [or different from] Subject B. One body paragraph will discuss X, Y, and Z for Subject A ; the other body paragraph will do the same for Subject B. IntroductionIntroduction All about Subject A All about Subject B ConclusionConclusion

If we follow the advice above … Do we have two like things? How are they alike? Would it be better to compare or contrast? What is the purpose? What will make the essay interesting? Would Pattern A or Pattern B work the best?

Format the Pattern A outline correctly. I.Point X A.Subject A 1.Detail 1 2.Detail 2 3.Detail 3 B.Subject B 1.Detail 1 2.Detail 2 3.Detail 3 I.Point X A.Subject A 1.Detail 1 2.Detail 2 3.Detail 3 B.Subject B 1.Detail 1 2.Detail 2 3.Detail 3 Roman numerals address the X, Y, and Z from the thesis statement. Capital letter A is always for the first subject ; capital letter B is always for the second subject. A detail for Subject A must correspond to a detail for Subject B.

Thesis statement: The two Sigourney Weaver movies, Aliens and Gorillas in the Mist, have three important points of comparison [or contrast]: X, Y, and Z. I.Point X A.Gorillas in the Mist B.Aliens I.Point X A.Gorillas in the Mist B.Aliens II. Point Y A.Gorillas in the Mist B.Aliens II. Point Y A.Gorillas in the Mist B.Aliens III. Point Z A.Gorillas in the Mist B.Aliens III. Point Z A.Gorillas in the Mist B.Aliens

A Pattern B outline looks a little different: I.Subject A A.First Point of C/C 1. Detail 2. Detail 3. Detail B.Second Point of C/C 1. Detail 2. Detail 3. Detail C.Third Point of C/C 1. Detail 2. Detail 3. Detail II.Subject B A.First Point of C/C 1. Detail 2. Detail 3. Detail B.Second Point of C/C 1. Detail 2. Detail 3. Detail C.Third Point of C/C 1. Detail 2. Detail 3. Detail Thesis Statement: Statement: Subject A is different from/similar to Subject B.

What I hoped for/wanted vs. what I got in reality VacationClassDateCarFriendPetJob Computer School Scholarship Church Concert Sports event Membership

Topic ideas for your Compare & Contrast Essay: Capitalism vs. socialism Google vs. Yahoo search engine Pick any two Universities Two vacation destinations Mac or Intel: Compare/Contrast the two processors Parents vs. step-parents in fairy tales U.S. Healthcare system vs. Canada Healthcare system Starbucks vs. Barney’s Solar Energy vs. Clean Coal

Remember that you need a purpose for the comparison/contrast. For example, which car gets the best gas mileage? Remember that you need a purpose purpose for the comparison/contrast. For example, which car gets the best gas mileage?

Create a works cited page: Use MLA-style page numbering: your last name and the page number. The works cited page is the last page of the essay. Title the page. The entire page is double spaced [with no extra spacing between entries]. For each entry, all lines after the first are indented five spaces. Punctuation and capitalization requires your careful attention. The list of entries is alphabetized on Works Cited page.

Note these rules about names: If you refer to the names, then capitalize. If you refer to a story or poem, use quotation marks and capitalize all major words. If you refer to a movie, use italics and capitalize all major words.

Note the due date for the First Draft and Final Draft. Oh, no! Look at the time! Oh, no! Look at the time!

Prepare the first draft of the essay. Using your outline as a “blueprint,” write the rough draft for your paper. Be sure to work in at least three references and put them on the Works Cited page The works cited page should be the last page of the draft. Note the due date for this stage.

Add support with direct quotations. First, introduce the source with a speaker tag. Then use the exact words of the source in quotation marks. Follow with an in-text citation—the name of the author(s) in parentheses. Format the sentence like this: According to _____ [story or poem’s title], “exact words” (In-text citation). According to “Little Snow White,” our heroine “was as beautiful as the day, and more beautiful than the Queen herself” (Grimm and Grimm).

Prepare the final draft of the essay. The final draft must be word processed. Be sure that you have MLA-style page numbering on every page. Print one hardcopies, one for me. Send the essay as an attachment before you arrive to class! Be sure to read and follow all of the directions on the format guidelines sheet. Note the due date. Don’t forget the ! Don’t forget the !

The End. The End. Look, I don’t have time for this. I’m going to get to work.