Compare/Contrast Essay
“Everyday Use”
70 Points
Due Wednesday, December 12th
Explanation: Before reading Alice Walker’s “Everyday Use,” we read in Walker’s biography
section that she “portrays the clash between generations that sometimes resulted from rapid
change.” You are going to write an essay in which you compare and contrast Mama and
Dee/Wangero, but you are also going to compare and contrast your parent’s/guardian’s
generation to that of your own. We will compare and contrast technologies used,
attire/appearance (clothing, hair styles, etc.), and the general beliefs/outlooks on life.
General Essay Outline:
I.
Introduction:
II.
Main Body (30 Points):
A. Compare and Contrast Mama and Dee/Wangero
1. Body Paragraph One: Compare/Contrast Technology
a. Topic Sentence
b. Three Comparisons/Contrasts
c. Conclusion Sentence
2. Body Paragraph Two: Compare/Contrast Attire/Appearance
a. Topic Sentence
b. Three Comparisons/Contrasts
c. Conclusion Sentence
3. Body Paragraph Three: Compare/Contrast Beliefs/Outlook on
Life
a. Topic Sentence
b. Three Comparisons/Contrasts
c. Conclusion Sentence
B. Compare and Contrast You and Your Parents (30 Points)
1.Body Paragraph One: Compare/Contrast Technology
a. Topic Sentence
b. Three Comparisons/Contrasts
c. Conclusion Sentence
2.Body Paragraph Two: Compare/Contrast Attire/Appearance
a. Topic Sentence
b. Three Comparisons/Contrasts
c. Conclusion Sentence
3.Body Paragraph Three: Compare/Contrast Beliefs/Outlook on Life
a. Topic Sentence
b. Three Comparisons/Contrasts
c. Conclusion Sentence
III.
Conclusion (10 Points):
A. Restate Thesis (See Introduction)
B. Summarize Major Body Points
1. General differences between Mama and Dee
2. General differences between You and Your Parents
C. Close it out
1. Discuss that the world is always changing
2. Discuss that generations will always be different
3. Consider when you have kids and how that generation will be
very different from yours.
Keep in Mind: To do the first part of this essay, you will have to reread sections of the story
and provide specifics. Also, you might have to talk to family members or look at old pictures if
you do not have information on differences in your generation and theirs. Also, the better you
complete your organizer, the better your essays will be.