Name__________________________________________________________ Period____________
Compare & Contrast Essay
Hamilton v. Jefferson
Write an essay comparing and contrasting the views of Alexander Hamilton and the Federalist Party
and Thomas Jefferson and the Democratic-Republican Party. In order to complete this assignment,
you will be using your comparison chart from Social Studies, and your writing skills from English
class!
Your essay needs to follow this format:
Paragraph 1 – Introduction Grabber.
Background information on Hamilton, Jefferson and the time period.
Focus Statement – Explains what topics you will be comparing/contrasting.
Paragraph 2 – Choose one of the five issues we discussed in class. Compare and contrast how Hamilton and
Jefferson felt on that one issue. Explain how their views were different, and if they were similar in any way.
Topic sentence – State which issue you’re going to discuss.
Explain the stance of one man/party.
Compare/contrast the stance of the other man/party. Transition
Paragraph 3 – Choose a second issue that we discussed in class. Compare and contrast how Hamilton and
Jefferson felt on that one issue. Explain how their views were different, and if they were similar in any way.
Topic sentence - State which issue you’re going to discuss.
Explain the stance of one man/party.
Compare/contrast the stance of the other man/party. Transition
Paragraph 4 – Your choice! For this paragraph you may do ONE of the following:
o Explain your opinion on one of the two issues you discussed in paragraphs 2 or 3. Then, compare
and contrast your opinion to BOTH Hamilton and Jefferson.
o Think about current issues that today’s Republicans and Democrats debate on. Some examples are
The War in Afghanistan, Gun Control, Health Care, Education, and Immigration. Which party’s
stance would they have aligned themselves with?
Topic sentence – State what will be in this paragraph.
Supporting details
Transition
Paragraph 5 - Conclusion
Summarize – restate major similarities and differences.
Any last minute, relevant comments. Clincher
While the information in your paper will be from Social Studies, your essay should
follow all rules for expository writing that you have learned in English. Here are
some of the rules to keep in mind:
Paragraphs need to be at least 6-7 solid, detailed sentences.
Use compare/contrast transition words such as: Likewise, otherwise, for example, furthermore, on the
other hand, in addition, however, even though, etc.
Use varied sentence types.
Interesting word choice.
Good paragraph organization (topic sentence, supporting details, transition sentence).
Read your paper out loud to yourself to make sure your sentences make sense. Correct
grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
Rubric:
Introduction:
Grabber catches reader’s interest.
Background information is included.
Focus statement is well-written and gives a preview for rest of paper.
_____/2
_____/2
_____/1
Paragraph Two:
Hamilton’s viewpoint is thoroughly and accurately explained
Jefferson’s viewpoint is thoroughly and accurately explained
Similarities/differences are evident (clear)
_____/4
_____/4
_____/2
Paragraph Three:
Hamilton’s viewpoint is thoroughly and accurately explained
Jefferson’s viewpoint is thoroughly and accurately explained
Similarities/differences are evident (clear)
_____/4
_____/4
_____/2
Paragraph Four:
Option 1 – Opinion is thoroughly explained and compared/contrasted
to both Hamilton and Jefferson’s views.
Option 2 – Hamilton and Jefferson’s stance on a current issue is
thoroughly explained and accurate.
_____/5
Conclusion:
Summarizes major points made throughout paper.
Clincher is interesting and leaves the reader thinking.
_____/3
_____/2
Miscellaneous:
Proper paragraph format was used (topic sentences, supporting details, transition)
Compare/contrast transition words are used.
Paper uses varied word choice and sentence structure.
Grammar, punctuation, spelling correct.
_____/2
_____/2
_____/2
_____/4
Paper follows specific outline and is organized.
TOTAL _____/45