Name:
Date:
ESSAY ORGANIZER FOR PLANNING THE COMPARE AND CONTRAST ESSAY
In section IV of the final exam, you will be asked to write an essay comparing and
contrasting the parenting styles in TWO of the texts that we’ve read. The EXACT QUESTION
WAS GIVEN TO YOU in the main part of the study guide and is also provided BELOW. Please use
this ORGANIZER to plan your essay in advance.
*Choose TWO parenting styles from the following characters:
1. Reverend Brown in Inherit the Wind,
2. Mr. Sedaris in “Cyclops,”
3. Mr. Vowell in “Shooting Dad,”
4. George and Lydia Hadley in “The Veldt,”
5. Stanley Ann Dunham, Toot, Gramps, Barack Obama Sr., or Lolo from Dreams from My Father,
6. and the Devon School acting in loco parentis in A Separate Peace.
You MUST write about TWO different texts but you MAY NOT write about
MORE THAN ONE of the short stories.
Your essay should consider the following questions:

For each selected text, define and compare the parenting styles and address the
similarities in the family experiences, relationships, and outcomes. Address the reasons
and motives for the parents’ actions.

For each selected text, contrast the parenting styles and address the differences in the
family experiences, relationships, and outcomes. Be sure to address the reasons and
motives behind the parents’ actions.

Discuss the strengths (pros) and weaknesses (cons) of each parenting style. Consider what
circumstances made both methods of parenting effective and ineffective, whether the results
are ironic in any way, and how the styles of parenting impacted the children’s ability to succeed
in life and why.
Do not write anywhere on this page.
Study Guide for the 8th Grade English Final
p. 1
Ms. Breitman/Ms. Haywood
Name:
Date:
This document or an exact photocopy of this document is the only resource that you
may bring into the exam session. You may ONLY WRITE inside of the designated areas of the
organizer—this means that you may only write inside of the boxes and on the lines that are
provided. DO NOT WRITE in the spaces between the lines or outside of the boxes. If you do
so, you will NOT BE ALLOWED TO USE IT on the EXAM.
Before you fill in this organizer, review your notes and think about which two texts you know
best or like the most. Use blank paper to brainstorm your main ideas BEFORE using them to
complete this organizer.
Here are some questions you might want to explore in the brainstorming process:
1. How do you define or describe each of the parenting styles that you have identified?
2. How are the parenting styles similar?
3. How are the parenting styles different?
4. Which parenting style was effective and why? What are the strengths or “pros” of
that strategy? Which children benefitted the most from the way that he or she was
parented?
5. Which parenting style was not effective and why? What are the weaknesses or
“cons” of that strategy? Which children were harmed or injured from the way that
he or she was parented?
6. Identify TWO TEXTUAL EXAMPLES and TWO ACTUAL QUOTES (one example and one
quote minimum for each text) that relate to how the parenting styles are similar.
7. Identify TWO TEXTUAL EXAMPLES and TWO ACTUAL QUOTES (one example and one
quote minimum for each text) that relate to how the parenting styles are different.
8. Identify TWO TEXTUAL EXAMPLES and TWO ACTUAL QUOTES (one example and one
quote minimum for each text) that relate to the strengths and weaknesses of the
parenting styles.
Do not write anywhere on this page.
Study Guide for the 8th Grade English Final
p. 2
Ms. Breitman/Ms. Haywood
Name:
Date:
ESSAY FORMAT
Your essay must have introduction where you include:
a lead (question, quote, or definition) that relates to theme and is driven by
the thesis,
a introduction to the titles of the selected texts, their authors, and a brief
summary of the plot,
a statement about the simple conflict in the texts,
and a thesis statement that relates to the lead and contains three claims in
a single sentence.
Your essay must have three body paragraphs where you include:
a topic sentence that sets for the main idea and includes a reference to
BOTH parenting styles,
transition words that introduce the topic sentence and connect the
examples,
two specific textual examples (ONE from each text per paragraph!) and two
direct quotes (ONE from each text per paragraph) that are properly integrated to
advance your thesis and explore your main ideas, and are properly cited using intext citation format,
explanations of the quotes in your own words,
and a concluding statement that links the evidence for BOTH parenting
styles to the main idea.
Your essay must have a conclusion where you include:
a brief summary of the main points of your thesis in new language,
an evaluation or judgment about the most successful or effective parenting
strategy and the motivations behind it,
the lessons learned by comparing and contrasting the different parenting
styles, and
advice about how to effectively raise a child or avoid a negative outcome.
Do not write anywhere on this page.
Study Guide for the 8th Grade English Final
p. 3
Ms. Breitman/Ms. Haywood
Name:
Date:
BRAINSTORMING AREA FOR A THEMATIC LEAD
In this space try to identify a theme that you can build your essay around. Consider the themes
that were discussed in class and try to develop a lead statement. Remember a strong lead is
thematic AND driven by the thesis.
PLANNING AREA FOR A THESIS SENTENCE:
Try to write three claims that you will combine and use to form ONE SENTENCE:
1. The parenting styles are similar . . .
2. The parenting styles are different . . .
3. The pros and cons of the parenting styles are . . .
You may write anywhere inside of the boxes above BUT do not write
on any other part of this page.
Study Guide for the 8th Grade English Final
p. 4
Ms. Breitman/Ms. Haywood
Name:
Date:
Only write inside the box below
Introduction paragraph
Lead statement that relates to a major theme of your essay (question,
quote, or definition):
_______________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________ .
The titles of the TWO TEXTS, the names of the authors, and a brief summary of
the PLOT of the selected works:
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
An introduction to the simple conflict in the texts:
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Study Guide for the 8th Grade English Final
p. 5
Ms. Breitman/Ms. Haywood
Name:
Date:
A statement of your thesis in a single sentence (with three main ideas) including
BOTH texts that discusses the similarities of the parenting styles, the differences
between the parenting styles, and makes a value judgment about which method
is superior.
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________ .
DO NOT WRITE ANWHERE OUTSIDE OF THE BOX ON THIS PAGE.
Study Guide for the 8th Grade English Final
p. 6
Ms. Breitman/Ms. Haywood
Name:
Date:
Use the organizer below to write down the evidence you intend to use in your essay. Be sure
that the evidence matches your claims and topic sentences, and follows parallel structure.
DO NOT WRITE ANWHERE OUTSIDE OF THE BOXES ON THIS PAGE.
Main Idea Statements for
Three Body Paragraphs
Supporting Evidence from Supporting Evidence from
_____________________ _____________________
(1) SIMILARITIES
Transition and topic sentence:
Textual example:
Textual example:
Quote: (p. )
Quote: (p. )
Explanation of quote:
Explanation of quote:
Textual example:
Textual example:
Quote: (p. )
Quote: (p. )
Explanation of quote:
Explanation of quote:
Clincher sentence that
connects evidence to claim:
(2)DIFFERENCES
Transition and topic sentence:
Clincher sentence that
connects evidence to claim:
Study Guide for the 8th Grade English Final
p. 7
Ms. Breitman/Ms. Haywood
Name:
Date:
(3) STRENGTHS and
WEAKNESSES
Transition and topic sentence:
Clincher sentence that
connects evidence to claim:
Textual example:
Textual example:
Quote: (p. )
Quote: (p. )
Explanation of quote:
Explanation of quote:
Do not write anywhere in this large box.
Study Guide for the 8th Grade English Final
p. 8
Ms. Breitman/Ms. Haywood
Name:
Date:
Conclusion paragraph
Transition word and a brief summary of the main points of your thesis in new
language:
_____________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
An evaluation or judgment about the most successful or effective parenting
strategy and the motivations behind it:
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
The lessons learned by comparing and contrasting the different parenting styles,
and advice about how to effectively raise a child or avoid a negative outcome.
Make a connection between the lessons learned and the theme of your essay.
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________ .
DO NOT WRITE ANWHERE OUTSIDE OF THE BOX ON THIS PAGE.
Study Guide for the 8th Grade English Final
p. 9
Ms. Breitman/Ms. Haywood