English 9
Comparison/Contrast Essay
Name_______________________________
Period _____ Date_____________________
Directions: You will write a five-paragraph essay (2-3 pages typed, double spaced) comparing
two characters from the short stories we have read. Include a creative, interesting title. Final
drafts must be done in ink, neat and easy to read, and accompanied by rough draft(s), notes (refer
to attached graphic organizer), and evaluation forms.
Suggested characters to compare/contrast:
Montresor ("The Cask of Amontillado")/ General Zaroff ("The Most Dangerous Game")
General Zaroff/the king ("The Lady or the Tiger?")
Mme. Loisel ("The Diamond Necklace")/Fortunato ("The Cask of Amontillado")
Rainsford ("The Most Dangerous Game")/Fortunato
Georg/Ulrich ("The Interlopers")
Mme. Loisel/Georg or Ulrich
Introduction- paragraph #1: Introduce the characters to be compared, including general
information about each. Refer to both short stories' titles and names of authors. Make your thesis
statement clear by identifying three points of comparison.
Body- paragraphs #2, 3, and 4: Each of these paragraphs will introduce one of the points of
comparison. The paragraphs should include at least two details-one or more from each storyto support your thesis, and should be connected together with appropriate transitions.
Suggested points of comparison for the three "body" paragraphs:
Similarity/similarity/difference
Difference/difference/similarity
Advantage/advantage/disadvantage
Disadvantage/disadvantage/advantage
Good characteristic/good characteristic/bad characteristic
Bad characteristic/bad characteristic/good characteristic
Conclusion- paragraph 5: Include your overall thoughts about the two characters, tie everything
together, discuss their impact or meaning in the story, and/or tell who you liked best and why.
Other Points to Consider:
- Essay should be written in third person point of view only
-Use correct spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure
-Show creativity and originality of thought
-Use correct paper heading
Comparison/Contrast Essay
Peer Evaluation Form
Your name____________________________ Name of writer____________________________
Directions: Refer to your Grading Rubric and essay assignment to evaluate the essay.
I.
Ideas/Organization/Fluency
A.
Paragraph #1
1.
Does the writer introduce the story and the characters specifically, and
provide a thesis? If not, what is missing?
2.
B.
C.
Paragraphs #2-4
1.
Does the writer give three clear points of comparison with examples from
both stories? Explain.
2.
What pattern of comparison is used?
3.
Does the writer used effective transitional strategies to move from one
paragraph to the next? Explain.
Paragraph #5
1.
Does the author tie ideas together in the conclusion? Explain.
2.
II.
Does the writer begin the essay in an interesting way? Can the
introduction be improved? If so, how?
Does the writer end the essay in an interesting way? Can the
conclusion be improved? If so, how?
Word Choice/Voice
A.
Are there any weak or vague words? Circle any.
B.
Identify a phrase or sentence that you believe is weak. How could it be improved?
C.
Identify a phrase or sentence that you believe is strong. Explain why.
D.
Is the essay written in third person point of view? If not, identify any first or
second person usage.
III.
Conventions
A.
Is the essay correctly divided into paragraphs? Indicate any areas to change.
B.
Identify any misspelled words, sentence fragments, run-on sentences, or
punctuation mistakes.
IV.
Title
Is the essay's title creative and interesting? Does it represent the topic or thesis?
If not, explain.
V.
Use the rest of this space to offer any additional thoughts to help the writer improve
his/her essay.
Essay Grading Rubric and Scoring Sheet
Name_______________________________
9,10-Outstanding
8-Proficient
7-Competent
5,6-Limited
1-4-Minimal
-demonstrates
outstanding critical
thinking
-clear, complex thesis
-convincing specifics
-explains and justifies
specifics in depth
-effectively and
insightfully develops a
point of view
-proper, consistent use of
1st, 2nd, or 3rd person
-strong intro, conclusion
-body advances the
thesis
-logical progression of
ideas
-demonstrates strong
critical thinking
-clear thesis
-appropriate
specifics
-explains and
justifies all specifics
-effectively
develops a point of
view
-proper use of
person
-effective intro,
conclusion
-body develops the
thesis
-demonstrates
critical thinking
-Identifiable thesis
-adequate specifics
-explains majority
of specifics
-adequate intro,
conclusion
-body paragraphs
relate to thesis
-demonstrates some
critical thinking
-Vague or underdeveloped thesis
-lists specifics
without adequate
explanation
-develops a point of
view that is vague or
limited
-use of person somewhat inconsistent
-has a beginning,
middle, and end
-thesis loosely
controls essay
-demonstrates
minimal critical
thinking
-ineffective thesis
-poorly chosen
specifics lacking
explanation
-point of view is
unclear
-inappropriate or
inconsistent use of
person
-beginning, middle,
and/or end partially
missing
-thesis inadequately
developed in essay
-effective transitions
- variety in
sentences
_____
-clear, effective
transitions
-varied, complex
sentences
-appropriate
transitions
-some variety in
sentences
-somewhat adequate
transitions
-little sentence
variety
Word
Choice
-clear, thoughtful word
choice
-clear, appropriate
word choice
-standard
vocabulary
-vague, awkward, or
colloquial language
-inadequate or
ineffective
transitions
-sentence variety is
minimal or lacking
-poor use of
language, or
inappropriate word
choice
-virtually free of errors
in grammar and
mechanics
-generally correct in
grammar and
mechanics with no
major errors in
sentence structure
-generally correct
in grammar and
mechanics with
few major errors in
sentence structure
-frequent errors in
grammar and
mechanics
Ideas
_____
Voice
_____
Organization
_____
Fluency
-develops a point
of view
-generally proper
use of person
_____
Conventions
_____
Note : A "0" score indicates element is missing or unrecognizable.
Additional points earned:
_____1. Notes (includes graphic organizer and/or rough outline): 10 points
_____2. Rough draft which shows evidence of proofreading/editing: 10 points
_____3. Evaluation form(s): 10 points
_____4. Presentation: Neatly typed or handwritten in blue or black ink; appropriate page
heading, and title: 10 points
_____5. Points subtracted for late work (10-40%)
_____
Final points total (100 points possible)
-repeated errors in
standard English