2. Comparison and Contrast

3. Do I want this guy … ? Do I want this guy … ? … or do I want that guy? … or do I want that guy?

4. Do I want to visit Egypt on my next vacation … ? Do I want to visit Egypt on my next vacation … ? … or do I want to go to Las Vegas? … or do I want to go to Las Vegas?

5. Do I want to eat something healthy … ? Do I want to eat something healthy … ? … or do I want something bad? … or do I want something bad?

6. What is the Purpose? To show the similarities between at least two things and/or To show the difference between two things To inform To explain To analyze To evaluate

7. Understand what comparison or contrast requires you to do. Always choose two equal items—two cars, two vacations, two sports stars— not two unequal items, like a car and an octopus. Your job is to interest the reader. Choose points to discuss that are not immediately obvious.

8. Now let’s test your understanding...

9. A baby is like a vacuum cleaner. WRONG!

10. Even though my little brother Fred is 20 years my junior, he and I have much in common. Yeah, baby!

11. My sister and I look alike, have common hobbies, and enjoy the same foods. Boring!

12. Even though Venus and Serena Williams are both professional tennis stars, they differ in their opinions about men, movies, and music. Excellent!

13. Pre-writing Chart Price Price Mileage Mileage Insurance Insurance BMW HondaCivic

14. Venn Diagram Alike

15. Writing a Thesis Statement Review your data Decide to what extent you will stress the similarities between your subjects and to what extent you will stress their differences Create a thesis statement that reflects that decision

16. Weak Thesis Statements They are both somewhat alike and somewhat different. I can see some similarities and some differences too. Both of them involve (only a single similarity, no differences).

17. Better Thesis Pattern While both the Federalists and the Anti- Federalists agreed that government was needed to establish order, the Federalists promoted a centralized federal authority and the Anti-federalists supported a loose confederation which favored states’ rights. While both the Federalists and the Anti- Federalists agreed that government was needed to establish order, the Federalists promoted a centralized federal authority and the Anti-federalists supported a loose confederation which favored states’ rights.

18. Better Thesis Pattern Ralph and Jack have very different leadership styles and motivations which leads to the eventual chaos and anarchy on the island.

19. Sample Thesis Statement for Honda/BMW Comparison/Contrast In order to make a decision between the Honda Civic and the BMW, I used the following criteria: price of the vehicle, average mileage, and price of insurance.

20. Pick a pattern for your essay. Pattern A is a typical 5-paragraph essay. The thesis statement will read like this: Because of X, Y, and Z, Subject A is similar to [ or different from ] Subject B. Each body paragraph will discuss both Subject A and Subject B. IntroductionIntroduction All about Point X All about Point Y All about Point Z ConclusionConclusion

21. Pattern B will look a bit different. Pattern B has only 4 paragraphs. Alas, the essay must still be 500 words. The thesis statement should not include restrictions, like this: Subject A is similar to [ or different from ] Subject B. One body paragraph will discuss X, Y, and Z for Subject A ; the other body paragraph will do the same for Subject B. IntroductionIntroduction All about Subject A All about Subject B ConclusionConclusion

22. Transitions To Compare –also –as –in the same way –like –likewise –similarly –comparable –equally –in addition To Contrast - although -but -even though -however -on the other hand -otherwise-yet-still-conversely -as opposed to -different from -whereas

23. Review  Make sure you understand the purpose of the assignment  Complete pre-writing activity  Gather evidence  Create a thesis statement  Choose an organizational pattern  Write an outline  Write a working draft  Revise as needed