COMPARISON/
CONTRAST
Creating an effective
comparison/contrast essay
What is comparison/contrast?
What are some situations where you might
compare items?
When you compare and contrast items,
you must first break each subject into
its component parts. You can then
identify the specific ways each subject is
similar to or different from the other
For Example…

Compare and contrast the following
characters from the Lost television
show…
Jack and Sawyer
Compare and contrast their personalities. How
are they alike? How are they different?
 Create a venn diagram on a sheet of paper to
help with dividing their differences from their
similarities.

Preparing the Comparison:
1.
Give yourself a purpose and decide
what you will compare and/or
contrast. Remember, you do not
have to do both unless you believe it
helps your essay.
This will provided for you next week.
Preparing the Comparison:
2. Choose features that will help you
accomplish your purpose.
Once you know your purpose, you need to
decide on the features you will compare.
Preparing the Comparison:
3. Chart your points of comparison.
Charting is a ways to see relationships
among features. When you understand
the relationships, you will have an easier
time deciding how to organize the ideas
in your essay.
A handout will be given to you for this step.
Writing a Comparison:
1.
Choose an organizational pattern.
The two patterns for organizing a
comparison/contrast essay are subjectby-subject and feature-by-feature.


Subject-by-subject: Discuss all the
features about one subject and then
discuss all the features about the other
subject.
Feature-by-feature: Move back and forth
between the two subject, comparing each
feature.
For example

Subject by Subject

Subject ‘A’




Point (1)
Point (2)
Point (3)
Subject ‘B’



Point (1)
Point (2)
Point (3)
Designed for a shorter
essay

Feature by Feature

Point (1)


Point (2)


Subject ‘A’ + ‘B’
Subject ‘A’ + ‘B
Point (3)

Subject ‘A’ + ‘B’
Designed for a longer
essay
Writing a Comparison:
2. Begin writing. It is a good idea to begin
with your thesis statement. That is the
main idea of your paper (plus your
opinion). It is the sentence that drives
your entire paper.
(then add the rest of your introduction)
For example: “Jack and Locke are good leaders for the
people stuck on the island, but they are different
because of their viewpoints, their actions, and their
past history of leadership”
Which is the thesis and which is the supporting points that
will be the supporting paragraphs in the body of the
essay?
“Jack and Locke are good leaders for the
people stuck on the island, but they are
different because of their viewpoints, their
actions, and their past history of leadership”
 “Jack and Locke are good leaders for the
people stuck on the island, but they are
different because of their viewpoints, their
actions, and their past history of leadership.”

Writing a Comparison:
3. Give specific examples. You want to
help the reader understand what you are
comparing. Include direct quotes and
paraphrases from the novel.
Writing a Comparison:
4. Include contrasting details. Pointing
out the differences can help you delve
into your subject matter, and can help
you effectively make your point.
Writing a Comparison:
5. Use transitional words and phrases.
*Refer to your transition handout for more
transition words.
Reviewing Your Writing:
1.
2.
3.
Read and evaluate your comparison.
Have you clearly shown the similarities
and differences? Is you purpose clear?
Are your examples specific?
Share your paper with the classmate.
Have classmates summarize your main
points.
Revise your comparison. Does
anything need to be added or deleted?
Do you need to change some words?
With a partner...




Pick a topic to compare and contrast
 For example (spring and winter, cars and
trucks, books and movies, )
Using a venn diagram format, identify their
differences and similarities. Come up with at least
five for each.
Next, choose a format to compare and/or contrast.
Finally, write an outline for your essay on the chart
paper provided. Follow the format on the next
slide.
Choose One

Introduction + Thesis Statement
 Subject ‘A’
 Point (1)
 Point (2)
 Point (3)
 Point (4)
 Point (5)
 Subject ‘B’
 Point (1)
 Point (2)
 Point (3)
 Point (4)
 Point (5)
 Conclusion


Introduction + Thesis
Statement
 Point (1)
 Subject ‘A’ + ‘B’
 Point (2)
 Subject ‘A’ + ‘B
 Point (3)
 Subject ‘A’ + ‘B’
 Point (4)
 Subject ‘A’ + ‘B
 Point (5)
 Subject ‘A’ + ‘B’
Conclusion
Compare and Contrast Essay

Write a 1000 – 1200 word essay on one
of the following question using your
literature circle novels:
Compare and/or contrast two characters in
your novel and identify which character is
more important to the novel.
2. Select two themes or issues and discuss
which one is more significant to your novel.
Minimum Five Paragraphs
1.
Essay Due Dates and Deadlines
Monday – complete handout (submit by the end of
class)
 Tuesday + Wednesday – Work on Rough Copy
(Submit to Teacher at end of class on Wednesday)
 Thursday – peer edit someone else’s essay
(comments to be made only – do not attempt to fix
their essay!)
 Friday – Revise rough copy/ essay re-write (Must be
checked by teacher before the end of class)
 Monday (Nov 23rd) – Final Typed Copy Due (along
with brainstorm page, rough copy, peer edit, revised
written rough copy, and rubric)
