The Comparative Essay

The Introductory Paragraph Begin general, gradually becoming more specific. Begin general, gradually becoming more specific. Step 1: The General Statement Step 1: The General Statement Step 2: The Narrowing Statement Step 2: The Narrowing Statement Step 3: Introduction of your author and text, along with theme of essay and your three major arguments. Step 3: Introduction of your author and text, along with theme of essay and your three major arguments. Step 4: Thesis Statement Step 4: Thesis Statement

The Thesis Statement Your thesis statement must be argumentative – this means the argument is debatable. Your thesis statement must be argumentative – this means the argument is debatable. It has an opinion and a topic. It has an opinion and a topic. It becomes the focus for your entire essay – every other sentence in your essay seeks to prove this statement. It becomes the focus for your entire essay – every other sentence in your essay seeks to prove this statement. Your thesis must consider the comparison you will be discussing. Your thesis must consider the comparison you will be discussing.E.g. In the book 19 Minutes and the film Life as a House, we see families struggle to stay together amidst the pressures of modern life. Each of these stories explores the effect of the dysfunctional family unit on an adolescent child. Both Peter and Bob, the teenage sons of these families, go through trauma which leaves them forever changed. Each boys’ fate is different, but both of their stories teach us that the family unit has an immense impact on adolescent identity and belonging.

Thesis Crafting Response to a question about your topic Response to a question about your topic B-Storm: free write, mind map, dot jot B-Storm: free write, mind map, dot jot How easy will this essay be to defend? How easy will this essay be to defend?

The Outline Graphic organizer, loose-leaf page, word document- what works best for you? Graphic organizer, loose-leaf page, word document- what works best for you? THESIS THESIS Includes dot jots/proofs (quotations & page refs) explanation Includes dot jots/proofs (quotations & page refs) explanation Maps out organization Maps out organization Due date & rubric Due date & rubric

Body Paragraph – General Info You must have a clear topic sentence at the beginning of each body paragraph. You must have a clear topic sentence at the beginning of each body paragraph. All your points must be substantiated by a proof (in the form of a quotation). All your points must be substantiated by a proof (in the form of a quotation). You will always follow the point-proof-explanation (ppe) format, follow by the appropriate citation. You will always follow the point-proof-explanation (ppe) format, follow by the appropriate citation. Point = the first way you are proving your argument. Point = the first way you are proving your argument. Proof = appropriately formatted quotation Proof = appropriately formatted quotation –4 lines or less of text = woven into the body of your work. –5 lines or more of text = ‘ boxed ’ / offset from the body of your work, and single spaced. Explanation = the analysis. Explanation = the analysis.

Block Arrangement I Intro in which you state your purpose which is to discuss the similarities/differences between vacationing in the mountains or at the beach I Intro in which you state your purpose which is to discuss the similarities/differences between vacationing in the mountains or at the beach II Mountain II Mountain A. Climate A. Climate B. Types of Activities B. Types of Activities C. Location C. Location III Beach III Beach A. Climate A. Climate B. Types of Activities B. Types of Activities C. Location C. Location IV Conclusion IV Conclusion

Point By Point I Intro in which you state your purpose which is to discuss the similarities/differences between vacationing in the mountains or at the beach I Intro in which you state your purpose which is to discuss the similarities/differences between vacationing in the mountains or at the beach II Similarity between mountains & beaches in climate II Similarity between mountains & beaches in climate A. Mountains A. Mountains B. Beach B. Beach C. Mountains C. Mountains D. Beach D. Beach III First Difference between mountains & beaches are types of activities III First Difference between mountains & beaches are types of activities A. Mountains A. Mountains B. Beach B. Beach C. Mountains C. Mountains D. Beach D. Beach IV Second Difference between mountains & beaches is the location IV Second Difference between mountains & beaches is the location A. Mountains A. Mountains B. Beach B. Beach C. Mountains C. Mountains D. Beach D. Beach V Conclusion- which one is ultimately better V Conclusion- which one is ultimately better

Character by Character - Block Variation of point by point Variation of point by point I Intro in which you state your purpose which is to discuss the similarities/differences between vacationing in the mountains or at the beach I Intro in which you state your purpose which is to discuss the similarities/differences between vacationing in the mountains or at the beach II Similarity between mountains and beach is climate II Similarity between mountains and beach is climate A. Mountains- 2-3 points A. Mountains- 2-3 points B. Beach- 2-3 points B. Beach- 2-3 points III First difference between mountains and beaches are types of activities III First difference between mountains and beaches are types of activities A. Mountains- 2-3 points A. Mountains- 2-3 points B. Beach- 2-3 points B. Beach- 2-3 points IV Second Difference between mountains & beaches is the location IV Second Difference between mountains & beaches is the location A. Mountains- 2-3 points A. Mountains- 2-3 points B. Beach- 2-3 points B. Beach- 2-3 points V Conclusion V Conclusion

Essay Organization Each body paragraph has a clear topic sentence which states the comparison you will be drawing and introduce the main argument for this paragraph. Each body paragraph has a clear topic sentence which states the comparison you will be drawing and introduce the main argument for this paragraph. You will need to integrate 12 quotes/proofs You will need to integrate 12 quotes/proofs

Concluding Paragraph Similar to the format you have been taught in the past. Similar to the format you have been taught in the past. Re-state (in an original manner) your thesis statement and your main arguments. Re-state (in an original manner) your thesis statement and your main arguments. Include reflective thought – leave your reader thinking. Include reflective thought – leave your reader thinking. Basically, wrap up your essay with eloquence. Basically, wrap up your essay with eloquence. DO NOT introduce any new ideas! DO NOT introduce any new ideas!

Rough Draft(s) Complete sentences, paragraph structure, topic & concluding sentence Complete sentences, paragraph structure, topic & concluding sentence Link paragraphs with transition words or repetition of words Link paragraphs with transition words or repetition of words Evidence of process, changes, additions, modifications (track changes or handwritten) Evidence of process, changes, additions, modifications (track changes or handwritten) Due: ____________________ Due: ____________________

Editing Variety of sentence types & lengths, no run-ons Variety of sentence types & lengths, no run-ons Transitions Transitions Formal diction Formal diction Topic & Concluding sentences linked Topic & Concluding sentences linked Present Tense Present Tense Trustworthy Editor: what parts are not fully explained? What questions does your editor have? Consider what should be changed. Maintain your own voice- your paper should sound like you. Trustworthy Editor: what parts are not fully explained? What questions does your editor have? Consider what should be changed. Maintain your own voice- your paper should sound like you.

Proofreading Never refer to yourself in the first person ( “ I ”, “ My opinion ”, “ Me ”, etc.) Never refer to yourself in the first person ( “ I ”, “ My opinion ”, “ Me ”, etc.) Do not use contractions (ie. use “ cannot ” vs. “ can ’ t ” ) in your writing... Use contractions only in the original quotation. Do not use contractions (ie. use “ cannot ” vs. “ can ’ t ” ) in your writing... Use contractions only in the original quotation. –Citation ex.: “ Hi, buddy. What ’ s up? ” (Kronby, 25). Read aloud to catch awkward sentences, missing words, typos. Read aloud to catch awkward sentences, missing words, typos.

MLA Give your essay an original title and number your pages Give your essay an original title and number your pages Underline or Italicize your novel titles. Underline or Italicize your novel titles. Double space your essay (apart from long quotations). Double space your essay (apart from long quotations). First page- left corner: your name, course, teacher, date First page- left corner: your name, course, teacher, date Pagination: begin on pg 2- right corner- last name & page # Pagination: begin on pg 2- right corner- last name & page # You must have a properly formatted works cited – on a separate sheet(do not page #). Use MLA style. You must have a properly formatted works cited – on a separate sheet(do not page #). Use MLA style.