1. Compare and Contrast Essay Compare and Contrast essays show the similarities and differences between two subjects. The purpose of the compare and contrast essay: To inform To explain To analyze To evaluate

2. Searching points for discussion Determine your emphasis on similarities, differences, or both. Determine the major focus of your paper. Make sure you treat the same or similar elements for each subject you will discuss: Star TrekStar Wars Major characters Minor characters themes

3. Do not discuss entirely different elements for each subject. Star TrekStar Wars Major Characters Plot Minor Characters Actor’s Life ThemesSymbolism

4. Introduction/Thesis Identify not only the topics to be compared and contrasted in your essay, but the point you will make about them. Also indicate whether you will focus on similarities or differences, or balance the two. “Although Star Trek and Star Wars are both science fiction, the major characters, minor characters, and themes of Star Wars provide greater plot complexity.”

5. Organization There are three basic formats for the compare and contrast essay: 1.Topic One, Topic Two This organizational pattern you say everything there is to say about one topic and then everything there is to say about topic two. Both topics follow a similar pattern. 2.Point by Point This organizational pattern blends the two topics together in a very orderly fashion. 3.Similarities and Differences This is a variation on Point by Point – all the similarities are grouped together, followed by all the differences, or vice versa

6. Topic One, Topic Two Write a about each topic separately, but you discuss the same points for both topics. Use basis for comparison to guide your selection of points. Arrange points in logical order, usually order of importance. Good for short, uncomplicated papers.

7. Topic One, Topic Two Introduction Subject AStar Trek –Item 1Format –Item 2Fictional Setting –Item 3Science fiction trappings Subject BStar Wars –Item 1Format –Item 2Fictional Setting –Item 3Science fiction trappings Conclusion

8. Point by Point Good for longer, more complex papers Make a point about one subject, and then follow it with a comparable point about the other subject. Alternating pattern Be careful not to fall into a monotonous, back and forth movement between points. To avoid this problem, vary sentence structure as you move from point to point.

9. Point by Point Introduction Feature 1Format –Subject AStar Trek –Subject BStar Wars Feature 2Fictional Setting –Subject AStar Trek –Subject BStar Wars Feature 3Science-fiction trappings –Subject AStar Trek –Subject BStar Wars Conclusion

10. Similarities and Differences This is a variation on Point by Point – a more specific way of organizing the points themselves. This organization works when two topics have very definite things in common that are important to point out, but also some equally important differences. All the similarities are grouped together, followed by all the differences, or vice versa.

11. Similarities and Differences Introduction Star Trek and Star Wars Similarities –Faster than light-speed travel –Space battles –Many human hospitable planets –Alien races and humans interacting –Epic themes of good and evil Star Trek and Star Wars Differences –Setting and time period –Types of battles/spaceships –Forms of government –Format (TV versus movies) –Themes Conclusion

12. Ideas for essays Compare and Contrast… two of your friends two of your teachers Middle School and Elementary School two holidays Playstation 3 and Wii PC and Mac two football teams your mom and dad school lunches and bringing your own two movies Cerritos and another place you have lived any two places you have lived two seasons Quiznos and Subway