Think Sheet
Topic: ___________________________________________________________
WHO: Who am I writing for?
_______________________________________________________________________
WHY: Why am I writing?
________________________________________________________________________
WHAT: What do I know? (BRAINSTORM)
1. ______________________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________________________
4. ______________________________________________________________
5. ______________________________________________________________
Topic
Introduction
Audience
Body
Purpose
Conclusion
Self Evaluation Criteria
Absent Acceptable Very Good
Introduction
Body
Conclusion
Interest
Level
Clarity
Scoring Text Structure Elements of Compare-Contrast Essays
This scoring procedure awards points for each relevant text structure element in the
essay. Elements are scored if they fit the text structure demands, are reasonably clear, and
are in a reasonable sequence.
 Introduction (1 point): Simple but clear statement that X and Y are being compared.
 Hook (I point): Simple attempt to interest the reader in the paper; any general
statement about the topic can serve.
 Comparison (1 point): Relevant comparison between X and Y. It is not sufficient to
simply state a fact about X or Y. The comparison can be made in several ways:
a. Direct statement that X and Y are the same or different on something
(e.g.. Bats and birds both fly.)
b. Contrasting statements about X and Y that are adjacent (e.g.. Bats are
mammals. Birds are birds.) or in a clear parallel structure (adjacent
paragraphs with contrasting statements in the same order).
c. Subordinated to a topic sentence (e.g., Sharks and dolphins both live in
the ocean. They have fins. They are streamlined. They eat fish. [Three
comparisons]).
 Topic Sentence (3 points): Topic sentence or superordinate statement that compares
X and Y with at least two subordinate ideas that are comparisons. Topic sentences
can be about a category (e.g.. Bats and birds are different types of animals.). They
can also simply be about difference or similarity (e.g.. Bats and birds are different
in many ways.).
 Minimal Topic Sentence (1 point): Topic sentence or superordinate statement that
compares X and Y but is followed by only one comparison.
 Detail (0.5 point): Information that provides relevant detail to elaborate on a scored
comparison
 Conclusion (I point): Simple statement that X and Y are different and/or the same at
the end.
 Summary (1-2 points): Summarizes a main idea from the paper. Main ideas are
topic sentence ideas or comparisons. One point each for up to two main points.
 Transitions (1-3 points): Transition words serve specifically to connect ideas and
show their relationship (e.g., first, second, finally, in addition, on the other hand,
however, another).
(1 point) - One or two transition words connect ideas from different parts of
the paper.
(2 points) - Uses at least three transition words but does not meet the criteria
for 3 points.
(3 points) - Uses transition words systematically for most of the paper,
considering all topic sentences or comparison statements and the conclusion.
 Repetitions: (0) Sentences that repeat an earlier statement without any clear
rhetorical purpose.
 Unconnected information: (0) Information about X or Y that does not make a
comparison.