Name: ______________________________
Hour: 2/3
5/6 8/9
Date:_______________
Writing a Compare and Contrast Essay
Directions: After reading, watching, and listening to “The Monkey’s Paw”, follow the steps
below to write a compare and contrast essay.
Step 1: DECIDE WHAT YOU ARE COMPARING
_______________________v.______________________
Step 2: FIND YOUR FACTS
Simpsons
Scope
Original
For each letter write an event from the story. If it is different in another version, write what
is different by the corresponding letter. If it is the same, write SAME by the corresponding
letter. Try to have a variety of events from each version.
a. The monkey’s paw was given to Sgt. Maj. Morris by an Indian fakir.
b. The monkey’s paw moves when wishes are made.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
a. SAME as O
b. SAME – “twists”
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
a. The monkey’s paw was sold to Homer by a Moroccan street vendor.
b. SAME – fingers bend
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
Step 3: CRAFT YOUR THESIS
The thesis is where you tell the reader what is being compared in your essay. It should be a
clear and strong statement that makes a general statement about the differences and
similarities and answers: In general, how are ___ and ___ alike, and how are they different.
The rest of your essay should support your thesis.
Your thesis: ________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Step 4: WRITE YOUR HOOK
The very beginning of your essay is called the hook because it “hooks” your readers’
attention. The hook should relate to the topic of your essay, but it can take many forms. It
can be a:
QUESTION: How can getting three wishes turn into a nightmare? Lead the reader to
think about the message of the stories.
STRONG DETAIL: Be careful what you wish for. It might come true. Talk about the
main idea of the stories while leaving the reader wondering.
QUOTATION: “The first man had his three wishes, yes,” was the reply. “I don’t
know what his first two were, but the third was for death.” Use a quote that adds to
the mystery of the story or the meaning of the stories.
Your hook: ________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Step 5: START WRITING
Now that you have the key ingredients for your essay, you are ready to start writing. On the
next page, you’ll find guidelines for how to organize your ingredients, as well as hints about
what else you’ll need to add.
Directions: Follow the guidelines below to write a strong essay. You will use what you
wrote on the first two pages of this activity.
INTRODUCTION
Open with your hook from Step 4.
Write a transition sentence that relates your hook to the similarities and differences of “The
Monkey’s Paw” stories.
Finish with your thesis from Step 3.
BODY PARAGRAPHS
Here’s where you organize your information about the different versions of “The Monkey’s
Paw”. You can organize them in one of two ways.
□ Point by Point comparison
●Topic Points of Organization
-Point 1: Topic A & Topic B
-Point 2: Topic A & Topic B
-Point 3: Topic A & Topic B
□ Block organization
●Logical Points of Organization
-One paragraph on the differences
Topic A: Points 1, 2 & 3
-One paragraph on the similarities
Topic B: Points 1, 2 & 3
Make sure to organize your paragraphs to help the reader understand what you are comparing
and contrasting. You should blend similar ideas together and use good transitions like
similarly and in contrast. See your transitions sheet in your journal.
CONCLUSION
Restate your thesis using the same ideas but different organization.
End with a memorable thought or idea. If possible, connect it to the idea you used in the
hook.
READ & REVISE
Look at the rubric to evaluate and edit what you have written.
Make the necessary changes and print a second draft. Make sure to read this aloud