1. The Comparison-Contrast Essay
TONIGHT’S HOMEWORK
Submit final classification essay on Canvas and bring any hard copies (group discussion notes, proof­readers’ marked- up copies, and maybe prewriting, outline, and / or tutoring) to class,
read LBCH sections 38-44b (pp ), AND
Begin brainstorming / prewriting and outline for comparison-contrast essay, due next Thursday, March 30

2. The Comparison-Contrast Essay
The Writing Process
1. Brainstorming (Inventing & Collecting) (Prewriting & research)
2. Organizing (Outlining)
3. Drafting (First time in paragraph form)
4. Revising (Editing: adding, cutting, moving)
5. Proofreading (Checking grammar, spelling, etc.)
Rationale: This slide previews the five steps of the writing process. Each element forms a part of a successful writing experience.
Key Concept: The facilitator may explain that the writing process is not necessarily sequential--a linear path from invention to proofreading. Writers may generate a topic, collect some information, organize their notes, go back and collect more information, invent subtopics for their work, go back to organization, etc. The writing process is recursive--it often requires going back and forth between steps to create the strongest work possible. Knowing these steps and strategies, however, can be a great help to writers who struggle with their work.

3. What is a COMPARISON-CONTRAST essay?
The Comparison-Contrast Essay
What is a COMPARISON-CONTRAST essay?
In a comparison-contrast essay, the writer carefully explains the similarities or differences among two or more related subjects.
By explaining these similarities and/ or differences, the writer informs the reader so that the reader can form an educated opinion on the topics.

4. Winona Ryder character loves him
Prewriting
Try a Venn diagram. It will help you realize that the two topics have both things that are similar and things that are different.
“monster”
lovable freak
Dr. Frankenstein terrified of him
his creator loves him
wants Dr. to create a bride for him; Dr. won’t
father figure
Winona Ryder character loves him
wants love
TOPIC A: Frankenstein’s monster
TOPIC B: Edward Scissorhands
society’s treatment
kills Dr.’s loved ones
gave ladies haircuts
villagers terrified
landscaping
ultimately tries to kill Dr. and himself
banished from town
jealous rival

5. COMPARISON-CONTRAST thesis statement
The comparison-contrast thesis statement includes both narrowed topics and the controlling idea. =
Ex: Although Edward Scissorhands looks similar to Frankenstein’s creation, the two characters display unique tones in regard to humanity.
THINK IN TERMS OF POINTS, NOT SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES!
narrowed topic 1
narrowed topic 2 TS
controlling idea
tones in regard to humanity
Edward Scissor-hands
Franken-stein’s creation TS

6. How to ORGANIZE a comparison-contrast essay
Because it has two topics, a comparison-contrast essay cannot be organized in the usual way. It must use
WHOLE-TO-WHOLE organization or POINT-BY-POINT organization.

7. How to ORGANIZE a comparison-contrast essay
WHOLE-TO-WHOLE organization
Introduction ending with thesis statement (¶ #1)
TOPIC #1 (¶ #2)
First way in which they may be similar and/or different
Second way in which they may be similar and/or different
Third way in which they may be similar and/or different
TOPIC #2 (¶ #3)
Conclusion (¶ #4)

8. How to ORGANIZE a comparison-contrast essay
POINT-BY-POINT organization
Introduction ending with thesis statement (¶ #1)
FIRST WAY in which they are similar and/or different (¶ #2)
Topic #1
Topic #2
SECOND WAY in which they are similar and/or different (¶ #3)
THIRD WAY in which they are similar and/or different (¶ #4)
Conclusion (¶ #5)

9. How to ORGANIZE a comparison-contrast essay
WHOLE-TO-WHOLE organization
Introduction ending with thesis statement (¶ #1)
TOPIC #1 (¶ #2)
First way in which they are similar and/or different
Second way in which they are similar and/or different
Third way in which they are similar and/or different
TOPIC #2 (¶ #3)
Second way in which they are similar and/or different
Third way in which they are similar and/or different
Conclusion (¶ #4)
POINT-BY-POINT organization
Introduction ending with thesis statement (¶ #1)
FIRST WAY in which they are similar and/or different (¶ #2)
Topic #1
Topic #2
SECOND WAY in which they are similar and/or different (¶ #3)
THIRD WAY in which they are similar and/or different (¶ #4)
Conclusion (¶ #5)

10. The introduction…
should grab the reader's attention, maybe with a vivid juxtaposition of the topics (sort of “what if A were like B?”) before addressing similarities and differences
should contain the thesis (usually last sentence)
should NOT make an announcement, ask a question, or be too general: “In this paper I will tell you about…” NO! “Here is how A and B are alike.” NO! “A and B are alike in many ways.” NO! “Have you ever wondered how A and B are different?” NO!

11. The body… must contain the same three points about the two topics,
must contain at least one secondary detail to enliven each primary point
must connect its support back to the thesis for the reader’s understanding
must use a transition between one point and the next

12. The conclusion… must refer back to the thesis
must NOT just repeat the thesis, even if the words are slightly different
should make an observation or offer a solution (bring the two sides together): What do you hope the reader has learned from your essay? Is one a valuable improvement upon the original? Is one a poor imitation of the original? Should readers choose one over the other? Should readers accept both to appreciate how important the differences are?

13. Common comparison or contrast TRANSITIONS
FOR COMPARISON
FOR CONTRAST
also
another similarity
as well
both
comparatively
correspondingly
furthermore
in addition
in the same manner
likewise
similarly
another difference
contrarily
conversely
different
however
in contrast
meanwhile
most important difference
one difference
on the contrary
on the other hand

14. Tom Regan and Stephen Rose on Animal Rights (80R, pp. 274-284)

15. YOUR COMPARISON- CONTRAST ESSAY TOPIC:
The Comparison-Contrast Essay
YOUR COMPARISON- CONTRAST ESSAY TOPIC:
Write a 900- to 1,100-word, four- or five-paragraph essay analyzing (not just listing) how two issues or two groups of people compare and contrast. Following are some suggested topics: 1. Two different views of a social or political issue (like gun ownership, animal rights, or immigration) 2. Men and women, Republicans and Democrats, or two different groups of people 3. Two religions or beliefs, or two types of believers 4. Two types of prejudice or discrimination 5. A book and movie version, or an original and a remake/sequel 6. Life with a college degree and life without one You must use one or more quotes from expert sources to support your body paragraphs. You MUST use a library database. (Opposing Viewpoints in Context is a good place to start.) Be sure that you quote and cite the source(s) correctly. (Ask me or a tutor!)

16. Comparison-Contrast Essay (cont.)
Be sure that your thesis includes both topics and makes an overall point of significance. The essay must contain an introduction paragraph that ends with the thesis statement. It must also include two or three body paragraphs making three points (the same for both topics) and providing specific evidence and details. The body should not just state facts but should explore and explain the significance of those facts. The essay should end with a concluding paragraph that returns to the idea of the thesis statement and provides a sense of closure. Also, be sure you complete and submit all five steps in the writing process: 1. brainstorming/prewriting (bring to class Thursday, March 30), 2. organizing/outline with thesis statement (bring to class March 30), 3a. drafting (first draft is due on Canvas April 4; bring one printout), 4. revising (with classmates on April 4 and with a tutor), 3b. drafting again (second draft on Canvas April 11; TWO printouts), and 5. proofreading (by two classmates on April 11). The final version of the essay is due on Canvas before class begins April 20. Final essays will NOT be accepted if you do not participate in and submit all five steps!

17. Three Ways to Get a Quote into a Sentence Without Floating
Pronoun Case (Grammar #9) and Checking the Comparison-Contrast Outline
Three Ways to Get a Quote into a Sentence Without Floating
Make it part of the grammar of your sentence: With Brown v. Board of Education, “[a]n irreversible shift had begun” (Williams 21).
Add a source phrase and a comma, and ID the source: Historian and commentator Juan Williams writes, “An irreversible shift had begun” (21). “An irreversible shift had begun,” writes historian and commentator Juan Williams (21).
Add a colon: With Brown v. Board, America changed: “An irreversible shift had begun” (Williams 21).

18. WHEN YOU USE A QUOTE IN AN ESSAY:
When people think of a man, they generally think of “an adult male human being” (“man, n.1). However, some think they have to “[b]e stupid, be unfeeling, obedient and soldierly, and stop thinking” to be manly (Theroux, par. 2).
Put the words you have borrowed in quotation marks and include the author’s last name and page number in parentheses after the quote. Then you will also need a works-cited page. (See the next slide, page 6 of the syllabus, and the MLA section of LBCH.)

19. Peer Proofreading of Classification Essay
Works Cited
Author’s Last Name, First. “Title of Source (article, short story, poem, etc.).” Title of Container (book, journal, website) in Italics, Other Contribu­tors, Version, Number, Publisher, Publication Date, Location.
“man, n.1 (and int.).” OED Online, Oxford University Press, March 2016, Entry/
Theroux, Paul. “The Male Myth.” The New York Times, Sunday, Late City Final Edition, 27 Nov. 1983, p LexisNexis Academic, www. lexisnexis.com.db11.linccweb.org/ lnacui2api/api/version1/getDoc Cui?lni=3S8G-HPY Y1KC&csi=270944,270077,11059, 8411&hl=t&hv=t&hnsd=f&hns=t&hgn=t&oc=00240&perma=true.
Put the works-cited page on its own page
Alphabetize by first word in each entry
Double-space
11:52, 4:22, 7:52
Use hanging indentation
Include only works actually cited in the essay

20. Where can you go for additional help?
The Comparison-Contrast Essay
Where can you go for additional help?
Academic Success Center: YLRC 105, BACA 207, DLRC 312
My Office: YADM 108
Phone:
Websites (links on MyHCC): SmarThinking (access through hccfl.edu) Library Guide for this course ( Re: Writing (
Key Concept: If your students are struggling with developing a writing process, they can find help at the Purdue University Writing Lab. By making a half-hour appointment with a tutor, students can receive help with any area of the writing process, from invention to proofreading.
Click mouse after the title question. 20