Compare and Contrast
Essays
Created by Cindy Farnum 2004
Purpose of comparing and
contrasting
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Show similarities
Show differences
(contrast)
Created by Cindy Farnum 2004
Why do people compare and
contrast in essays
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Created by Cindy Farnum 2004
To evaluate two or more things
(texts, objects, facts…or in
our case, film and text) We
evaluate to find out which is
better, if a pattern is
followed, and trends.
To explain concepts (Just like
when we use metaphors and
similes to create a picture in
our readers’ minds, we
compare/contrast to create a
clear picture of our topic or
teach.)
You compare and contrast
things everyday.
Created by Cindy Farnum 2004
How to get started… Step one:
Organize your information with
graphic organizers
Comparison webs
Created by Cindy Farnum 2004
Compare and Contrast Webs
Venn Diagrams
Venn Diagram
Comparative Charts/Tables
(or just like the one you used for the film/Hobbit notes)
Retro Comparison Diagram
Compare/Contrast Matrix
Organizer for Compare and
Contrast of 4 Items
COMPARISON ALLEY
Compare / Contrast
Subject:
Comparison
Alley
Differences
Differences
Similarities
Subject:
Step Two: Decide the essay
format
Now that I’ve
taken notes, what
essay structure
would be best to
use?
Created by Cindy Farnum 2004
Ways to organize
compare/contrast essays
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Created by Cindy Farnum 2004
First compare (find similarities),
then contrast (find differences)
Point by point (compare and
contrast by category – one
category/topic per paragraph)
Only compare (only write about
similarities)
Only contrast (only write about
differences
Whole-to-whole (Write about all
the details of one subject and
then write about the details of
the other.)
First Compare, then contrast
format…
I.
II.
III.
IV.
Intro: introduce
subjects and
subtopics
Comparison
paragraph(s)
Contrast
paragraph(s)
Conclusion: wrap up
and highlight key
points
Created by Cindy Farnum 2004
Point by point format…
I.
II.
III.
IV.
Created by Cindy Farnum 2004
Intro: introduce
subjects and
subtopics
Compare/contrast
topics using
category/point #1
Compare/contrast
topics using
category/point #2
Conclusion: wrap up
and highlight key
points
Only compare format…
I.
II.
III.
IV.
Created by Cindy Farnum 2004
Intro:
introduce
subject and
subtopics
Write about
similarity #1
Write about
similarity #2
Conclusion:
wrap up and
highlight key
points
Only contrast format…
I.
II.
III.
IV.
Created by Cindy Farnum 2004
Intro: introduce
subject and
subtopics
Write about
difference #1
Write about
difference #2
Conclusion:
wrap up and
highlight key
points
Whole-to-whole format
I.
II.
III.
IV.
Created by Cindy Farnum 2004
Intro: introduce
subject and
subtopics
Write about first
object/subject
Write about second
object/subject
Conclusion: wrap up
and highlight key
points
Step Three: Outline/plan
your essay
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Created by Cindy Farnum 2004
Use a basic outline
format, list or
drawings to plan
out the structure
of your essay
Step Four: Create a thesis
statement
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Remember, a thesis
statement establishes
the topic of your essay
and the main points of
your body paragraphs.
For example…
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Created by Cindy Farnum 2004
Although rain and snow
are both types of
precipitation, they vary
in form, temperature,
and climate found.
Step Five: Write!
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Begin writing your
essay while
thinking about
adding details,
explanations,
direct quotes, etc.
Created by Cindy Farnum 2004
Step Six: Add transitions
Compare Words:
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also
too
as
as well as
both
in the same manner
in the same way
like
likewise
most important
same
similar
similarly
the same as
Contrast Words:
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although
but
differ
even though
however
in contrast
instead
on the other hand
on the contrary
nevertheless
unless
unlike
while
yet Created by Cindy Farnum 2004
Step Seven: Proofread
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Read over your
essay to first
check for meaning.
(Revise)
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Do you have all the
important details?
Have you chosen the
best words to convey
your purpose?
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Next, read over your
essay again for
mechanical, grammar
and spelling errors.
(Edit)
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Created by Cindy Farnum 2004
Have you spelled and used all
words correctly?
Did you properly punctuate and
capitalize your sentences?
Did you follow proper grammar
rules in your writing?
Step Eight:Type up essay…
Created by Cindy Farnum 2004
Three Little Cyber Pigs
The Three Little CyberPigs are surfing down the Information
Highway. They want a new clubhouse and, lo and behold, they come upon a
kiosk by the roadside, advertising the new Straw Club. All you have to do
to win the prize --a free clubhouse-- is fill out an online survey.
Lil Pig decides to do it and answers the survey questions about her age,
favorite movies, foods, hobbies, collections and the occupation of her
parents.
When the "free prize" doesn't pan out, the pigs decide to search for a
clubhouse on the Internet. They find one on the "fabulous twig clubhouse"
site (all yours for $3.25) and send in their money. When it arrives, the
clubhouse collapses (no screws ? they cost an extra $99,999).
Undeterred, the Pigs embark on another clubhouse Net search and come up
with "Swine and Sons ? Reliable Brick Clubhouses". The problem is that
the online merchants want a credit card number. The pigs give their
number without checking out the company.
Next they receive an email message asking them to come to the Straw
Club for an urgent meeting. Lil Pig decides to go and finds herself the
target of a hat sale (information about her hat collecting hobby was
gleaned from the survey she completed). She rejects the offer and
comes home disappointed.
Meanwhile their credit card information is intercepted by Wolf at the
Straw Club and the next day a load of straw hats arrive, complete with a
bill of sale for 100 hats, non-refundable, paid for by their Master Pork
Card.
Some time later, the Pigs log on to Pigscape to join the Skateboarders'
Chat Room. Les Pig introduces himself to the group and someone
responds immediately with the message "Hello, Les Pig. I'd like to get to
know you. Signed, Big Bad Wo...oops! I'm a Lamb."
Fortunately Ma Pig is home when the devious and potentially dangerous
wolf arrives.
Resources/Sources for PowerPoint
ReadWriteThink’s Compare/Contrast Interactive Tutorial
http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/compcontrast/
Chart Graphic Organizer:
http://www.readwritethink.org/lesson_images/lesson275/compcon_chart
.pdf
Compare/Contrast Guide
http://www3.iptv.org/exploremore/PDFs/CompareandContrast.pdf
Education Oasis Compare/Contrast Graphic Organizers:
http://www.educationoasis.com/curriculum/GO/compare_contrast.htm
Reading Quest
www.readingquest.org
Other sources:
McGraw-Hill
WriteSource 2000/ Writer’s Inc.
Created by Cindy Farnum 2004