Comparison and Contrast
Essay
General Overview
• Builds upon Narration: Leader, Thesis,
Overt, Covert, Subject, Topic, Topic
Sentences, Minors, Transitions, One
thought told in X number of sentences,
and Patterns.
• In this essay you will C/C two people of
your choosing.
• You will compare two shared values, two
shared interests, and two shared lessons
that they have taught you.
• You will contrast these topics by proving
how they exemplify them differently.
• You get more wiggle room (and the crowd
cheers)
Examples Used in the Past
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•
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Mother/Father
Birth/Step Parent of same gender
Brother/Sister
BFF/BFF
Grandparent/Grandparent of same gender
Two characters from same text and/or
movie*
• Two historical icons*
A.U.P.O.D.
•
•
•
•
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Favor one over the other
Identify a teacher/instructor
Two people from different time frames.
Identify a criminal activity
Something that you know would be
embarrassing or uncomfortable if other
connected parties knew you shared
• You as one of the subjects
• Music or Sports
For Homework
• 2 Subjects
• Make a list of :
– 10 values,
– 10 interests,
– 10 lessons that they have taught you.
• (If you do not do this, if you skip this step,
you will be in trouble by the middle of next
week.)
Constructing a Linear Essay
Interests, Values, Lessons
Introduction
Lessons
Conclusion
Interests vs. Values
• Think of an “interest” as a hobby. This is a
tangible concept. This is something that
s/he does. Both must be either positive or
negative.
• Think of a “value” as something that s/he
believes in. This is an intangible concept.
Both must be either positive or negative.
Lessons
• Your two subjects will have taught you two
lessons.
• Each must have taught you the same
lesson
• Both must be either positive or negative.
• Interests:
– Reading, camping, dancing, adrenaline
junkie, gambling
• Values:
– Life, freedom, faith, beauty, selfishness,
power
• Lessons:
– Discipline, patience, confidence, to hate, to
fear
Constructing a Linear
Paragraph
And why Plan A doesn’t work
1. Topic Sentence
● Minor
4-6 sentences for sups
● Minor
4-6 sentences for sups
14/16. Transition
REMEMBER, YOUR FIRST MINOR MUST BE THE SECOND SENTENCE
Organization vs. Development
• Organization is where you compare your
subjects.* (This is your outline)
• Development is where you contrast your
subjects. (This is your RD)
• YOU CANNOT COMBINE THE TWO!
Organization
• Topic Sentences have both comparison and
contrast because ____________.
• Jack and Jill both share similar values, but how they
express them are very different.
• Minors only include the similarities and must be
presented in the correct order.
• First of all, both Jack and Jill understand the value of life.
Development
• Your supporting sentences are where you
explain the contrasts
• Jack expresses his love for all life every
day he goes to work. As a vet, . . . . On
the other hand, Jill, a heart surgeon, . . . .
Patterns, Patterns, and More
Patterns
Reasons Why You Hate Me
• 1st Pattern: Names
• 2nd Pattern: Overt vs Covert
• 3rd Pattern: Positive or Negative
• 4th Pattern: Public vs. Private Sphere
1st Pattern: Names
• T.S. Bob and Tom
– Minor B, T
• B
• T
– Minor T, B
• T
• B
2nd Pattern: Overt vs. Covert
• 2nd Paragraph: O
• 3rd Paragraph: O
• 4th Paragraph: O
• 2nd Paragraph: C
• 3rd Paragraph: C
• 4th Paragraph: C
• 2nd Paragraph: O
• 3rd Paragraph: C
• 4th Paragraph: O
• 2nd Paragraph: C
• 3rd Paragraph: O
• 4th Paragraph: C
3rd Pattern: Positive or Negative
•
•
•
2nd Paragraph:
– Topic
– Topic
3rd Paragraph:
– Topic
– Topic
th
4 Paragraph:
–
–
•
•
•
Topic
Topic
2nd Paragraph:
– Topic
– Topic
3rd Paragraph:
– Topic
– Topic
4th Paragraph:
–
–
Topic
Topic
•
P
P
•
P
P
•
–
–
P
P
•
P
P
•
N
N
•
P
P
2nd Paragraph:
– Topic
– Topic
3rd Paragraph:
– Topic
– Topic
th
4 Paragraph:
Topic
Topic
2nd Paragraph:
– Topic
– Topic
3rd Paragraph:
– Topic
– Topic
4th Paragraph:
–
–
Topic
Topic
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
P
P
N
N
4th Pattern: Public vs Private
Spheres
Basic (For Most Students)
• 1st Topic: Private
• 2nd Topic: Private
• 1st Topic: Public
• 2nd Topic: Public
Basic (For Most Students)
• 1st Topic: Public
• 2nd Topic: Public
• 1st Topic: Private
• 2nd Topic: Private
Complex (Advanced)
• 1st Subj.: Public
• 2nd Subj.: Private
• 1st Subj.: Private
• 2nd Subj.: Public
Complex (Advanced)
• 1st Subj.: Private
• 2nd Subj.: Public
• 1st Subj.: Public
• 2nd Subj.: Private
Comparison / Contrast Essay
Leader, Thesis, Topic Sentences
Simple Leaders
• Must be a quote and have parenthetical
citation.
• A quote = one sentence
• Is one of three sentences that must be
grammatically pristine.
• Should grab your reader’s attention and be
engaging.
• Think of them as a handshake.
Examples of Leaders
•
“It is a well-documented fact that guys will not ask for directions. This is a biological
thing. This is why it takes several million sperm cells... to locate a female egg, despite
the fact that the egg is, relative to them, the size of Wisconsin” (Barry 1).
•
“Never under any circumstances take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night”
(Barry 1).
•
"I am" is reportedly the shortest sentence in the English language. Could it be that "I
do" is the longest sentence?” (Carlin 1).
•
“Even very young children need to be informed about dying. Explain the concept of
death very carefully to your child. This will make threatening him with it much more
effective” (O’Rourke 1).
•
“An eye for an eye only makes the whole world go blind” (Gandi 1).
•
“It's one of nature's way that we often feel closer to distant generations than to the
generation immediately preceding us” (Stravinsky 1).
Thesis
• A thesis is one sentence long.
• It must be the last sentence in the introductory
paragraph.
• It is a claim – something that the reader must
prove in the essay.
• It tells the reader what the essay is about.
• Is the second of three sentences that must be
grammatically pristine.
• Can NEVER be a question.
• A.U.P.O.D.: speech format
Thesis Cont.
• It must identify the subjects, the topic(s),
and the type of essay.
• It must identify both subjects by first and
last name.
NSG Covert vs. Overt Thesi
• Covert:
– My two best friends, Jake **** and Nick ****, have
much in common yet are still very different.
• Overt:
– My neighbors Michael and Matt **** have many things
in common like their interests, values, and the
lessons that they have taught me, but the ways in
which they portray these things are nothing alike.
Topic Sentences
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A topic sentence is a mini thesis.
Overt vs. covert still applies.
Must maintain a pattern.
One sentence long.
Must be the first sentence in the body paragraph.
Must include the subjects, topic(s), and type of essay.
Can NEVER be a question.
Can NEVER be a quote.
Need only first names – Note A.U.P.O.D. titles
Good Covert vs. Overt
• Covert:
– Jake and Nick both share some of the same
values, but portray them in different ways.
• Overt:
– Both Michael and Matt value perfection and
respect, but not in the same ways.
Comparison / Contrast Essay
Sups
Sups
• Narration taught one thought in 2-3
sentences.
• C/C teaches one thought in 4-6 sentences
AND forces you to write longer sentences.
Good Examples of Interest Sups
• First of all, both Michelle and Shannon have had life long
love affairs with flowers. Oftentimes, Michelle would
spend several hours of her day doing nothing but taking
photographs of flowers. No matter the location, be it wild
flowers in a field or potted plants on a windowsill, she
would be there taking her photos to show her art to the
world. On the other hand, Shannon loved to grow them;
she had an eternal green thumb and she could not kill a
plant even if she turned all the lights off and never gave
it water. With little effort and careful nurturing, Shannon
could bring any flower to life; ultimately, wanting to grow
all the plants in the world.
Good Example of Values Sups
• As extensions of their strong belief in responsibility, both
John and Gail hold honesty in high regard. Last year,
John was asked to testify against another police officer
who was accused of trafficking illegal drugs. Although
the other officer was a close friend, John knew that he
was guilty and agreed to help bring him to justice. And
when Gail was a teenager, she made the bad decision
one night to go out with some less than honorable
classmates, where she ended up getting drunk.
However, instead of hiding this from her parents, she
confessed to them what she had done, even though it
led to punishment.
NSG Examples of Lesson Sups
• Further, Jake and Nick are excellent motivations
to become more easygoing. The other day, Jake
got in a fight with his girlfriend and escalated it
the point of a complete meltdown. He was
surprised that, instead of her saying sorry and
agreeing with his point, she dumped him. On the
other hand, earlier this year and at our first
speech tournament, Nick walked up on stage
completely relaxed and with a smile on his face.
His speech was exceptional and he easily won
the round.
A.U.P.O.D.
• No quotes in sups.
• You don’t belong here, peresay. Do not
use you or personal examples of you in
your sups.
• You can’t use the same example twice.
Comparison / Contrast Essay
Introduction and Conclusion
What’s the Difference Between an
A and a B?
• Have you ever observed two different people to see how
they differ or are the same? Comparing people can be
very interesting, because they can be so alike yet so
different. Take Matt and Bob, for example. Matt can be
a very funny person when he wants to be. He can also
be the worst person to hang out with if he is upset. Bob,
on the other hand, is kind to most people. Bob loves to
go out and just have a good ‘ol time. Comparing and
contrasting Matt *** and Bob *** on their interests,
values, and the lessons that they taught me show that
two people can be very different but still be friends.
What’s the Difference Between an
A and a B?
• In the Marvel universe, superheroes run rampant as they defeat the
villain, catch bullets in their teeth, and save the universe. In the real
world, superheroes don’t save the damsel in distress, don’t save the
busload of children, and furthermore, don’t exist. But since it’s more
fun to think outside the box, let’s imagine that they do exist, and that
the two of them are adversaries. One man, powers given to him by
chance, takes his massive responsibility in stride. He works toward
the good of man, and the comfort of the masses. The other gained
his gift through direct action of the man he hates. He uses his
newfound strength for himself and no one else. These two
supermen are none other than Peter Parker and Eddie Brock, more
commonly referred to as Spider-Man and Venom, two men who’s
interests, values, and their lessons differ from each other as much
as oil and water.
Good Examples Cont.
•
“The happiest moments of my life have been the few which I have passed at
home in the bosom of my family” (Jefferson 1). Like Thomas Jefferson, I
can truly say that the happiest moments of my life have been those spent
with my family, and these moments have been caused by two paragons in
my life. In a small town in southeastern Idaho, sun, love, potatoes, religion,
and a family with seven children have proven to be the ingredients for the
creation of an upstanding, caring, and accountable person. A nominee for
the Best Father of the Year award and winner of the Number One Dad
award, my father has obviously gained all the traits needed for the perfect
dad. Next in the story, as every good story teller knows, would be an epic
woman for this epic man. In the city of Bellevue, a small goddess was
created with power to match my father’s. With the right set of traits to offset
and then enhance my dad’s, my mom was the only possible match. In a
twist and clash of fates, these powers met, and would leave the world
forever-changed. Steve *** and Sherry ***, my parents, both have many
similar quality interests and values, and have taught me innumerable
lessons, although they have done so in different ways.
Good Example of Conclusion
• All in all Jim and Karen have so much in common, but
still find ways to keep their separate identities within their
relationship. It’s no wonder they have such a great
relationship. Before this paper I often found myself
thinking about what makes a great relationship stay
great. I have now found the answer; enjoy your own life
just as much as your life with your spouse. For if you
value one more than the other you become too selfish or
too selfless in the relationship. Balance is the key to
staying in love and finding your happily ever after. So
despite their differences Jim and Karen find their balance
in their similarities and through their love for each other,
making it easy to have a perfect relationship.
“That’s All Folks!”