Synthesis: Compare & Contrast Literary Essay
A. Siu
Name: _____________
Blk: _______________
Date: _______________
Compare: ___________________________________________________________
Contrast: ___________________________________________________________
Synthesis: __________________________________________________________
A. Block Compare & Contrast
Paragraph I: Introduction
A
N
T
Paragraph II: Body
Point 1: text A
E
E
C
Paragraph III: Body
Point 2: text B
E
E
C
Paragraph IV: Conclusion
R
Discuss similarities & differences
A
C
B. Point by Point Outline for Compare & Contrast
-
Note: do NOT pick obvious similarities or differences
Paragraph I: Introduction
Attention getter (hook)
Necessary information
Thesis = title of text A + writer’s name A + title of text B + writer’s name B
+ claim + 2 points (compare & contrast)
Paragraph II-III: Body
Compare
Point 1: State how text A & text B are similar
Text A: Evidence & Explanation
Text B: Evidence & Explanation
Explanation of how they are similar to each other
Conclusion sentence: ***include transition to Point 2
Contrast
Point 2: State how text A & text B are different
Text A: Evidence & Explanation
Text B: Evidence & Explanation
Explanation of how they are different from each other
Conclusion sentence
Paragraph IV: Conclusion
Restatement of thesis
Answer the “so what” question
If necessary, evaluate & assess based on topic (who is more… or the better…)
State the significance of your essay
Generalize & connect your ideas to society
Clincher
*** Note: it is up to you whether you want to discuss the compare 1st or the contrast 1st in your
body paragraphs
C. Example of Point by Point Compare & Contrast
 Activity 1: List similarities and differences between Charlotte’s relationship with her mom
and her relationship with Miss Hancock below. Do not use specific examples. Instead, use ideas
that will be good for your point 1 & point 2.
Charlotte & mother
Charlotte & Miss Hancock
Compare
Contrast
 Activity 2: Read the following example of a synthesis & answer the questions carefully.
Synthesis Topic:
Using specific examples from Budge Wilson’s “The Metaphor,”
evaluate whether the mother or Miss Hancock is more of a mom to Charlotte.
Sample Essay: Filling the Gap
A mother is someone who loves, nurtures, and educates the child. A role of a mother
includes taking care of the child from infancy to adolescence. A typical mother may cook and
clean at home; in addition, she may teach her child how to act around others and in society. In
the short story “The Metaphor,” the protagonist Charlotte experiences the difficulty of
transitioning from an innocent childhood to adolescence. She adores her English teacher, Miss
Hancock, in grade seven. However, in grade ten, Charlotte struggles with her feelings and the
image she wants to give others. Both Charlotte’s mother and Miss Hancock are mother figures
for the protagonist. In Budge Wilson’s “The Metaphor,” the mother and Miss Hancock are like
moms to Charlotte because they both educate her, but they understand her differently.
1. Identify the type of hook used.
_______________________________________
2. Place brackets ( ) around the “Necessary information” & label.
3. Underline the summary of the short story & label.
4. Place square brackets [ ] around the transition from the summary to the
thesis when the writer narrows down the information.
5. Label the thesis.
Charlotte’s mother and Miss Hancock both teach the protagonist by being good role
models. Through her actions, Charlotte’s mother teaches Charlotte how to be orderly and
civilized. The mother never rants or raves about cleanliness. Instead, she speaks “ever so
sweetly” and quietly when asking Charlotte to clean the tub (9). Most mothers get angry easily
and will nag, yell, or scold their children. Usually the impatient side of one’s personality comes
out at home, but Charlotte’s mother always speaks quietly and patiently. VII Even when the
protagonist is devastated by Miss Hancock’s death, the mother uses a tone of voice that is “so
calm, so quiet, [and] so able to silence” Charlotte with a word (18). VIII Most people would
have a more dramatic reaction to a death, but the mother is completely composed and controlled.
When Charlotte’s mom acts calm in all situations, no matter what the circumstance is, she is
indirectly teaching her daughter how to behave in a civilized manner. Similarly, Miss Hancock
indirectly teaches Charlotte to love English. She inspires her students to love creative writing
and literature. For example, when she reads with a “beautiful deeply modulated voice,” the
students sit “bewitched [and] transformed.” (2) The teacher’s eyes and body language reveal her
passion. When teaching about metaphors, for instance, Miss Hancock stands with her “arms
now raised, elbows bent, palms facing us.” (3) Most teachers would be embarrassed to behave
so dramatically in front of their students, but Miss Hancock’s enthusiasm for literature is
apparent in her expressive reading voice and excessive gestures. Hence, both Charlotte’s mother
and her teacher are positive role models for her, but they understand her differently.
6. Why did I bold the words in the paragraph? ____________________
7. Put brackets ( ) around Point 1 & label.
8. Underline the context in VII.
9. Read VIII and identify how the writer is explaining the evidence.
10. Underline the transition section of the conclusion sentence.
The mother and teacher do not understand Charlotte the same way. When Charlotte is
crying hysterical because she feels she has caused Miss Hancock’s death, her mother orders her
to “‘stop this nonsense.’” (18) She states that Charlotte was “‘disturbing the even tenor of [their]
home.’” (18) The mom does not try to understand the distress and grief Charlotte feels. Instead,
she feels annoyed because she feels Charlotte is overreacting. Peace and quiet in the home is
more important to her than her own daughter’s sorrow. The mother goes as far to say that Miss
Hancock “got exactly what she deserved.” (18) Because Charlotte’s mother is not sympathetic
when Charlotte experiences grief, she does not seem to truly understand Charlotte. In contrast,
Miss Hancock, seems to understand Charlotte even without words being spoken. For instance,
when Charlotte was in grade ten, she pretends she does not know Miss Hancock during the class
even when they made eye contact. When they looked at each other, the teacher “d[oes] not rush
up to [Charlotte] to claim alliance or allegiance.” (15) Even though the teacher and student do
not communicate in words, Miss Hancock as a deep understanding of Charlotte’s situation. She
understands that Charlotte may feel embarrassed or uncomfortable if she acts friendly around her
ex-student. As a result, she does not reveal that she knows Charlotte from grade seven. Thus,
while the mother does not really understand the protagonist, the teacher has a deep understanding
of her.
Therefore, both the mother and the teacher are mother figures to Charlotte in their own
ways. Miss Hancock, however, is more of a mother to Charlotte because she seems to truly
understand Charlotte. The mother is too cold and emotionless to be able to identify with
Charlotte. Although the mother teaches Charlotte some important things about life, the teacher
actually inspires the protagonist and sparks her curiosity. Hence, Miss Hancock is more of a
mom to Charlotte. Sometimes a mother may not be able to provide all the love, nurture, and
education a child needs. As a result, there may be other individuals such as teachers, aunts, and
family friends that fill in the gap.
11. Underline the Restatement of thesis & label.
12. Put brackets ( ) around the sentences the writer generalizes insights to real
life & label
.
D. Useful Transition Words
When to use them:
Common transition words:
Compare (show similarities)
-
Similarly
Likewise
Compared to
Contrast (show differences)
-
In contrast
Unlike __________, …….
Even though__________, …….
Although__________, …….
Conclusion
-
Hence
Thus
Therefore