The Comparative Essay Pay Attention well... For this is the format you should follow for this Essay & possibly your Exam

A Brief Overview Like the other essays you have written throughout your years in high school, there are many common elements repeated in the comparative essay. Like the other essays you have written throughout your years in high school, there are many common elements repeated in the comparative essay. However, with this essay you will be dealing with two texts However, with this essay you will be dealing with two texts

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 two texts, along with your three major arguments. Step 3: Introduction of your two texts, along with your three major arguments. Step 4: Thesis Statement Step 4: Thesis Statement NOTE: The Thesis Statement is the only Step which must be ONE sentence. NOTE: The Thesis Statement is the only Step which must be ONE sentence.

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 must be ONE sentence only. It must be ONE sentence only. 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. NOTE: You will be creating your own topic (one will not be given to you by me), thus, you will be developing your own thesis. NOTE: You will be creating your own topic (one will not be given to you by me), thus, you will be developing your own thesis.

The Introduction Continued... Thus, the introductory paragraph of your comparison essay is quite similar to your essays of the past... Thus, the introductory paragraph of your comparison essay is quite similar to your essays of the past... But... Now you are referring to two texts. Now you are referring to two texts. Now you are drawing attention to the comparison you will be drawing between the two texts. Now you are drawing attention to the comparison you will be drawing between the two texts.

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. The topic sentence is ONE sentence only. The topic sentence is ONE sentence only. All your points must be substantiated by the use of evidence All your points must be substantiated by the use of evidence You will always follow the point-proof-link/explanation (ppl) format, follow by the appropriate citation. You will always follow the point-proof-link/explanation (ppl) 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 structured paraphrasing Proof = appropriately structured paraphrasing Link = the analysis. Link = the analysis.

Formatting 3 body paragraphs. 3 body paragraphs. Each paragraph will be quite long. Each paragraph will be quite long. 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 have 2 – 4 Points of Comparison in this ONE paragraph. You will have 2 – 4 Points of Comparison in this ONE paragraph. Comparison is made IN this paragraph. Comparison is made IN this paragraph.

Formatting continued... Each body paragraph would follow the following format: Each body paragraph would follow the following format:  Topic sentence (apples and oranges)  Apples ppl #1, oranges ppl #1, comparison  Apples ppl #2, oranges ppl #2, comparison  Apples ppl #3, oranges ppl #3, comparison  Apples ppl #4, oranges ppl #4, comparison  Concluding Sentence.

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.

The Standard Rules You must write in the present tense. You must write in the present tense. 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. You must have a properly formatted works cited page – on a separate sheet. You must have a properly formatted works cited page – on a separate sheet. Give your essay an original title and number your pages. Give your essay an original title and number your pages. Always indent new paragraphs. Always indent new paragraphs. Italicize your text titles. Italicize your text titles. Double space your essay. Double space your essay. Use transitional words and sentences to connect your ideas and create strong, flowing unity of thought. Use transitional words and sentences to connect your ideas and create strong, flowing unity of thought.

Most Importantly Think deeply... Think deeply... Plan effectively... Plan effectively... Manage your time... Manage your time... Have fun with this... Have fun with this...