1. Understanding a Compare and Contrast Paper
Mr. Eric Valansi
Week 7A – November 19th, 2012

2. Objectives:
Students will be able to develop understanding of a compare and contrast essay, transitions, and literary terms.

3. Compare and Contrast Paper:
What is it?
Does anyone know what a compare and contrast paper is? GREEN = YES, RED = NO.
A compare and contrast paper takes two subjects and finds the common links between them as well as the differences. Unlike a persuasive
writing paper, you are not putting forth an argument, but it will include an introduction/thesis, at least two body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

4. Oranges and Bananas Organization:
What are the similarities between oranges and bananas?
You eat both of them.
They are both fruits.
You have to peel both of them.
They are both nutritious.
What are the similarities?

5. Oranges and Bananas Organization:
What are the differences between an orange and banana?
Color, shape, one has seeds, one grows on a tree, etc.
What are the differences?

6. Venn Diagram: Using your Venn Diagram: fruit yellow have seeds
can eat it
have to peel it
yellow
long
doesn’t have seeds
have seeds
orange
round

7. Key Words to Express Contrast:
although yet whereas
however but while
differ instead unless
unlike on the contrary contrary to
even though on the other hand the reverse
Which one of these words/phrases are you not clear on or do not understand?
Discuss.

8. The Introduction:
You want to give some context about what you are writing about. So, if you are writing about the Iroquois creation story, take a few sentences to talk about it. In these sentences, introduce what you are going to compare and contrast. It should be clear what you are talking about. You might also want to label exactly what the similarities and differences are. The last sentence will be your thesis statement.

9. Block Method Compare and Contrast Paper: Method 1 I. Introduction
II. First item A. First point about this item B. Second point about this item C. Third point about this item
III. Second item A. First point about this item B. Second point about this item C. Third point about this item
IV. Conclusion
This is for a 4 paragraph essay. Of course, you can repeat one of the items by discussing another compare or contrast, but make sure that the paragraph follows sequentially (compare/compare/contrast ; contrast/contrast/compare).
Try to avoid compare/contrast/compare as it may be confusing for the reader.

10. Compare and Contrast Paper: Method #2
Introduction
II. First point A. Explanation of how this point relates to the first item B. Explanation of how this point relates to the second item
III. Second point REPEAT II
IV. Third point REPEAT II
V. Conclusion
This lends better to a five paragraph essay.
Discuss chart.
Key words

11. Cell phone
Regular phone
Group 1
Group 2
Ipod
Radio
Directions: In the groups of two, complete the Venn diagram for the two objects. Remember to list the features you are comparing/contrasting as well as the features they share in each diagram.
Practice.
Have students draw Venn Diagrams and for each Group come up with comparisons/contrasts and shared features.
We will discuss when they are finished.
Truck
Car
Laptop
Home PC
Group 4
Group 3