Name: _______________________________
Compare and Contrast Essay
Objective: to write a compare and contrast essay comparing the book The Devil’s
Arithmetic to the movie version.
Guidelines:
1. Engage your audience with an introduction that names your purpose:
to compare and contrast the movie to the book.
2. Use topic sentences to introduce each paragraph
3. Use transition words to compare and contrast
4. Conclude by summing up main ideas and adding your own thoughts
and feelings about the book or movie
Transition words:
 Comparing words – Also, in addition, similarly, similar to, just as,
additionally, as well as
 Contrast words- Even though, however, although, instead, whereas, yet,
on the contrary, on the other hand, in contrast
Organization of essay:
Plan 1 ( Majority of class)
Paragraph 1: Introduction
-mention the book and whose story you
will be comparing and contrasting
Paragraph 2: 4 Similarities
ex. Both main characters are young teens
who lived in a concentration camp.
Paragraph 3: 3 differences
ex. Book : Is a fictional story about a girl
who travels back in time to the Holocaust.
Michael’s story: Is a true account of a
young Czech boy who experienced the
concentration camps.
Paragraph 4:Conclusion
Plan 2 ( For a challenge)
Paragraph 1:Introduction
Paragraph 2: Compare and contrast
a scene with 2 similarities and 2
differences
Paragraph 3: Compare and contrast
another scene with 2 similarities and
2 differences
Paragraph 4: Conclusion –sum up
main similarity and difference as
well as your own thoughts about the
stories.
Compare and Contrast Introduction Paragraph example:
If you are learning about the Holocaust, I would recommend reading The Devil’s
Arithmetic by Jane Yolen, a thrilling journey back through history. The story is about a
self-centered girl named Hannah, who has a first hand experience in the Holocaust as her
Aunt Eva’s former friend Chaya. In addition to reading the book, I had the opportunity to
hear a true account of Holocaust survivor Michael Herskovitz. Even though there are
many similarities between the two stories, there are also several differences to mention.
Paragraph 2- 4 similarities between the two stories

Example introduction sentence:
After reading the book and hearing Mr. Herskovitz’s story, several similarities
can be identified.

Transition words to use through out the paragraph-
Also, in addition, similarly, similar to, just as, additionally, as well as
Paragraph 3- 3 differences