Comparison Writing
Compare and Contrast
Essays
Prewriting: Choosing Your Topic
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First – Brainstorm (make a list of things you
would like to compare)
Chose one set of items and make a Venn
diagram or comparison chart
Venn Diagram:
Comparison Chart:
Venn Diagram
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Each item has a circle; anything that’s the same for both items
goes inside where the two circles overlap.
Comparison Chart
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Each item has a box. Whatever you say about one item, tell how the other
is similar to or different from that item in that particular way.
Drafting: Writing a Topic Sentence
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Tell what you are comparing
Mention that they have many things in
common, but many differences, too
You may use the terms similarities and
differences.
__________ and _________ are a lot alike,
but they are also very different.
Drafting: The First Paragraph
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There are two ways to write a comparison
essay:
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Tell how they are alike in one paragraph and how
they are different in another.
Tell how they are alike and different by discussing
particular components (not recommended)
The first paragraph should be an introduction
to the topic, describing it and your interest in
it.
Drafting: The Second Paragraph
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From the introduction, you can spend one
paragraph discussing similarities. This is best
done before differences.
If you choose to go the other route, pick a few
ways they are either alike and different and
discuss them.
Drafting: the third paragraph
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Either keep discussing similarities and
differences by individual traits or
Use this paragraph to discuss differences.
End with a sentence restating how alike and
different the two things are.
Mrs. Johnson’s Example
Compare and Contrast
Essay
“What Lies Within”
My Brainstorming List
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Cats vs. Dogs
Cheerleading vs. Color Guard
Soccer vs. Hockey
Cinderella vs. Snow White
Twilight – the book vs. the movie
Batman vs. Superman
Harry Potter vs. Lord Voldemort
Venn Diagram (Bubble Map)
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Harry Potter vs. Lord Voldemort
Scar
Messy hair
Skinny
Good
Friends
Loved
Orphans
Love
Hogwarts
Handsome,
turned
snake-like
Parseltongue
Feared
Talented
wizards
Deatheaters
Evil
Topic Sentence + Introduction
One of the most popular children’s series out today is the
Harry Potter series. There are seven books in this series,
which is about a boy (Harry Potter) who discovers he is a
wizard. He learns that there is a whole other world he
belongs to but never knew existed. In this other world, he is
well-known by everyone, and the most evil wizard of all
(Lord Voldemort) desires nothing more than to kill him.
Throughout the seven books, this wizard attempts to take the
young boy’s life many times because he believes the boy is
the only one standing in the way of him having absolute
power. In the Harry Potter series, the main character,
Harry Potter, and his evil nemesis, Lord Voldemort, share
many similarities and differences.
Similarities
Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort have many things in
common. Both Harry and Voldemort grew up without their
parents. Harry grew up with his muggle (non-magical) aunt
and uncle, and Voldemort grew up in an orphanage. They both
had one pure-blooded wizard/witch parent, and the other parent
was either a mudblood (muggle who can do magic) or a
muggle. In growing up outside of the wizarding world, Harry,
like Voldemort, had to have magical things explained to him.
Both of these characters also loved Hogwarts, the wizarding
school, and they felt more at home and accepted there than
anywhere else. At Hogwarts, Harry and Voldemort similarly
excelled in practical magic. In addition to these similarities,
the one that is most surprising is that Harry and Voldemort both
can speak Parseltongue, a very rare talent of talking to snakes.
Differences
Although Harry and Voldemort have so many things in
common, they also have many differences. On the one hand,
Harry is too skinny, has messy hair, and has a lightning-bolt scar
on his forehead. On the other hand, Voldemort was always very
attractive in his youth until he returns to his physical form and
takes on a snake-like appearance. In addition to their looks,
Harry and Voldemort differ in their companions. Harry has two
best friends and other close friends who love and care for him.
However, Voldemort only has the death-eaters (his followers)
who do not really care for him; they fear him. Perhaps the most
important difference between these two characters lies in their
choices. Harry chooses to do what is good and right for all
humanity; whereas, Voldemort chooses to do what is evil and
right for only him. Voldemort desires total power and control, but
Harry desires only to be normal. Despite these differences, Harry
and Voldemort still have many similarities that cause people to
scratch their heads and wonder, “How can two people be so alike
and yet so different?” The answer lies within each of us.
Now it’s your turn
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Brainstorming List
Diagram/Chart (31b)
Topic Sentence(____ and ____ have many similarities and differences.)
1st draft