2. Purdue Owl says:
“Compare and Contrast”
This classic writing prompt can be quite challenging because it sounds almost as if you are being asked to compile a list of similarities and differences. While a list might be of use in the planning stage, this prompt asks you to use what you discover to arrive at a conclusion about the two works under discussion.
Example: “Compare and contrast the two endings for Dickens’ Great Expectations paying special attention to the situation of Stella at the close of the novel.”
Strategy:
Find three or four elements from the texts upon which to base your comparison.
Examine possible connections and determine a thesis.
Base your outline around the elements you’ve chosen, remembering to give equal coverage to each side.

3. Point-by-Point Organization
Introduction and Thesis: Cinderella and Snow White both show the difficulties of blended families.
Body
Compare/contrast the fathers in the two stories
Compare/contrast the wicked stepmothers
Compare/contrast the effects on the heroines
Conclusion

4. Block Organization—Model 1
Introduction and Thesis: Cinderella and Snow White both show the difficulties of blended families.
Body
Fathers, stepmothers, and heroines in “Cinderella” and how they show difficulties of blended families
Fathers, stepmothers, and heroines in “Snow White” and how they show difficulties of blended families
Discussion of similarities and differences
Conclusion

5. Block Organization—Model 2
Introduction and Thesis: Cinderella and Snow White both show the difficulties of blended families.
Body
Fathers, stepmothers, and heroines in “Cinderella” and how they show difficulties of blended families, with some observations of how these are similar to or different from “SW”
Fathers, stepmothers, and heroines in “Snow White” with continued discussion of similarities/differences
Conclusion

6. Block Organization—Model 3
Introduction and Thesis: Cinderella and Snow White both show the difficulties of blended families.
Body
Discussion of how the stories are similar
Depiction of fathers
Depiction of stepmothers
Discussion of how the two stories are different
Depiction of stepsiblings
Depiction of heroines
Conclusion

7. For your 70-minute in-class essay:
Don’t write a complete introduction—at least not when you start writing.
Do make sure you have a clear thesis.
If you run out of time, give me at least an outline or summary of the paragraphs you don’t have time to complete.
A one-sentence conclusion is OK.
IB candidates: You’ll have 2 hours for the IB exam, so you will be able to do everything more thoroughly!