QuickTime™ and a
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Why do we make
comparisons?
What is a compare contrast structure?
• Logical approach / well-reasoned
• Clear transitions between points of
comparison and contrast
• Clear examples to illustrate each point.
What is an analogy?
What is an analogy?
Analogy: An explicit comparison between
two things (events, ideas, people, etc.) for
the purpose of furthering a line of reasoning
or drawing an inference; a form of
reasoning employing comparative or
parallel cases.
Henry Kissinger, Memo to
President Richard Nixon, 10
September 1969.
• Ex: "Withdrawal of U.S. troops will
become like salted peanuts to the
American public; the more U.S. troops
come home, the more will be
demanded.”
• http://www.americanrhetoric.com/figures
/analogy.htm
• Analogies can be humorous. Remember,
humor is not always an appropriate tone.
• Analogies can also make an abstract idea
more tangible. Comparing two unlike things
can SHOW us something that is difficult to see
or explain.
• Note that analogies may include metaphors
and similes.
• The analogy is the overall comparison being
explained- the series of metaphors working in
concert together.
Can common things be
compared for a purpose?
• How might you compare french fries and
potato chips in a compelling way?
• How might you compare Barbie to GI Joe
in a compelling way?
• Write down three ideas in your spiral.
Write one idea on the white board.
Capture the unexpected
• Look for genuine and sincere points of
comparison or contrast that go beyond
the obvious.
• Writing is a process. You may not know
where you are going until you get
started.
Would it be more compelling to
compare or contrast these subjects?
Why? For what purpose? Choose
two of these and write your response
in your spiral.
•
•
•
•
Basketball and hockey
Republicans versus Democrats
Baseball past and present
Superheroes and sidekicks
We will be reading an essay
about two types of people,
neat people and sloppy
people.
Who would you expect will be seen in
a more favorable light? Which of
these two groups is usually seen in a
more favorable light?
As you read…
• Take active reading notes. Write down at least five
lines where the tone of the essay is effective and
be prepared to explain why you chose these lines.
Write these in your spiral notebook.
• Pay attention to how the writer, Suzanne Britt, uses
specific examples to illustrate her ideas.
• Is her voice scholarly? Is it satirical?
Think about it.
• Tomorrow we will start the process for
your compare contrast essay. Think
about what interests you, what you
would be interested in exploring in a
compare contrast format.
What other groups of people
might be worthy of
comparison?