Bannecker – Eng II
A Separate Peace
Compare/Contrast Essay
Objective: Students will write a well-developed paragraph comparing or contrasting one of the following
options
 The 1972 film with the 2004 film
 Either film version with the novel
 Compare A Separate Peace with Night
o You may discuss the major theme(s) of the works and how the two authors address this
theme.
Remember: You are not to simply list the similarities and/or differences between the two works, but are
expected to provide analysis.
 If the works are different, why are these differences significant?
 If the works are similar, why did the director choose to keep this element consistent with the
text?
o What does this tell us about how the audience is expected to interpret the work?
o Why couldn’t the director change this scene? How would this change alter our
understanding of the story’s meaning?
Sample Body Paragraph – arranged by sentence
1. Topic Sentence
a. Explain what is to be discussed and why. (Ex. the difference in the two Brinker characters,
Leper’s meltdown, the theme of war, the theme of childhood vs. adulthood, etc.)
2. Specific example of this.
3. Explain how this example supports the main idea of the paragraph (3 sentences).
a. Provide analysis
4. Transition
5. Another example
6. Explain how this example supports the main idea of the paragraph (3 sentences).
7. Concluding sentence
Students will need to turn in the following items –
1. The Final Draft (go figure)
2. Rough Draft
3. Outline
4. Brainstorm
5. Class Notes
Bannecker – Eng II
6
Amazing (A+)
Grasp of
subject



Organization



Development


Style



Mechanics
develops a clear, distinct,
and unique opinion
demonstrates superior
critical thinking
ideas are fully developed
without gaps
relevant, clear, interesting,
and complex thesis and
topic sentences control essay
ideas are interestingly
connected and progress
logically
strong clinchers provide
closure
examples are plentiful,
specific, and well-chosen
discussion thoroughly
explains and justifies all
specifics
plentiful, varied, and
interesting transitions
precise, clear, appropriate,
and engaging word choice
and tone
clear, varied, and engaging
sentence structure
paper is free from errors in
spelling, punctuation,
capitalization, and complete
sentences
5
Outstanding (A)




develops a clear and
distinct opinion
demonstrates strong
critical thinking
ideas are fully
developed without
gaps
clear and complex
thesis and topic
sentences control
essay

ideas progress
logically

effective clinchers
provide closure

examples are specific
and well-chosen

discussion explains
and justifies all
specifics in some
depth

varied, clear, and
effective transitions

precise, clear, and
appropriate word
choice and tone

varied, clear, and
effective sentence
structure
paper is virtually free
from errors in spelling,
punctuation,
capitalization, and
complete sentences
4
Highly Competent (B)







3
Competent (C)
develops a distinct
point of view
demonstrates
adequate critical
thinking
ideas are
developed

clear thesis and
topic sentences
control essay
ideas progress
logically
clinchers provide
closure

examples are
specific and
relevant

discussion explains
and justifies
specifics

appropriate
transitions

consistently clear
and appropriate
word choice and
tone

some sentence
variety
paper is generally
correct in spelling,
punctuation,
capitalization, and
complete sentences
with no major errors









2
Marginally
Competent (D)
developed a
limited or unclear
point of view
demonstrates
weak critical
thinking
some gaps in
ideas
thesis is unclear
ideas are not well
connected
essay has a
beginning,
middle, and an
end
1
Substandard (F)
develops a point of
view, but it may be
obvious
demonstrates some
critical thinking
ideas are mostly
developed

thesis and topic
sentences control
essay
ideas are connected
but may not be in
the strongest order
adequate clinchers
provide closure
examples are
adequate
discussion explains
the majority of the
specifics



lists specifics
without
explanation

absent or
irrelevant
specifics
transitions are
attempted
mostly clear and
appropriate word
choice and tone
limited variety in
sentence structure

ineffective
transitions
vague, awkward,
or inappropriate
word choice
and/or sentence
structure


lacks transitions
poor word
choice and
sentence
structure
paper is generally
correct in spelling,
punctuation,
capitalization, and
complete sentences with
few major errors




paper contains
frequent errors in
spelling, punctuation,
capitalization, and
complete sentences

demonstrates a
lack of
understanding
of the
assignment

absent or
ineffective
thesis
essay lacks a
beginning,
middle, or an
end

repeated errors
impede
understanding of
the writing
Bannecker – Eng II