1. WRITING THE COMPARE/CONTRAST ESSAY

2. Compare/Contrast  Designed to show relationship between two subjects  Focuses on how the subject are the same and different  Results: a meaningful analysis of what these differences and similarities are mean

3. Planning Phase  Apples  Apples are red  Apples are fruit  Apples grow on trees  Apples are harvested in the fall  Oranges  Oranges are orange  Oranges are fruit  Oranges grow on trees  Oranges are harvested in the summer Note the similarities and differences by looking at both objects side by side What style of thinking map could we use to start our essay?

4. Style 1  Introduction  Outline all details of topic 1  Outline all details of topic 2  Analyze topics 1 and 2 together  Conclusion

5. Style 1 - Example  Introduction (EQ statement)  What is an orange What color is an orange When do you harvest oranges Where do oranges grow  What is an apple What color is an apple When do you harvest apples Where do apples grow  Apples and oranges differ in color and their harvest dates  Apples and oranges are similar because they are both fruit and both grown on trees  Conclusion (summary of body paragraphs)

6. Style 2  Introduction  First issue – discuss topics 1 and 2  Second issue – discuss topics 1 and 2  Third Issue – discuss topics 1 and 2  Conclusion Take a minute to think of three issues you could write about for this topic.

7. Style 2 - Example  Introduction  Fruit or vegetables Apples are fruits Oranges are fruits  Color Apples are red Oranges are orange  Growth Apples grow on trees Oranges grow on trees  Harvest times Apples are harvested in the fall Oranges are harvested in the summer  Conclusion

8. What NOT to do  No bias  Compare and contrast only asks you to point out similarities and differences  Imbalance  Make sure to address both objects equally  Simply list  Although you do not have to form an opinion or choose a side, you do need to make the relationship between the two objects clear. Do not just list their differences – say why this is significant.  What does this mean? What has Mrs. Randall been asking you to do in your writing?