COMPARE AND CONTRAST WRITING
DO THESE ACTIVITIES ON YOUR OWN PAPER
For the next couple of weeks, we are going to be focusing on an effective way to write
informational text in our bellwork. Remember that argumentative writing is different than
informational text. Informational / expository writing is just about presenting the information.
Argument writing makes a strong claim about information that is presented. This text
structure, “Compare and Contrast,” is just one way that you can organize the information
that you are presenting in order to make your argument in argument writing.
In order to get full points on this bellwork packet,YOU MUST
LABEL EACH DAY AND THE ENTRIES MUST BE TURNED IN
IN THE CORRECT ORDER. (For Example: “Day #1” will be
followed by “Day #2” etc.)
DAY 1
COMPARING – THINGS GET SIMILAR
FAST WRITE #1
 You need a new method of
transportation. You’ve saved $5,000
and have narrowed you choice to
these two vehicles. In a fast write,
write about the similarities of the
two.
 Write as much as you can, as fast as
you can, for five minutes.
DAY 2
CONTRASTING – FOCUSING ON THE DIFFERENCES
FAST WRITE #2
 Individual sports have a number of
similarities and differences. In a fast
write, contrast football and tennis
(or two other sports).
 Write as much as you can, as fast as
you can, for five minutes. Draw a
Venn Diagram if that helps you to
get started, but you do need to
write in complete sentences after
the 2-minute mark.
DAY 3
COMPARING AND CONTRASTING – THINGS CAN BE SIMILAR AND AT THE SAME
TIME HAVE DRASTIC DIFFERENCES. BOTH ARE IMPORTANT.
GETTING STARTED…
 Compare and contrast writing details the similarities and the differences
between two people, places, things, or ideas.
 Compare and Contrast writing does the following:
 1. Uses a particular pattern of organization
 2. Highlights specific qualities
 3. Offers a clear understanding of multiple aspects of two subjects
HERE ARE SOME OF THE
ORGANIZATIONAL PATTERNS
I WOULD TAKE NOTES IF I WERE YOU . . . YES I WOULD 
ALTERNATING ORGANIZATIONAL PATTERN
 Compare and contrast the two subjects point for point in the same paragraph.
 Make sure your paragraphs are balanced with points about each subject. I’ve
underlined the claim so that you can see how this works in argument form.
 Example:
 Zippy Cell and Quick Call cell phone service plans are similar, but Quick Call is
the right choice for most teenagers in America. Both companies require a twoyear contract and have comparable monthly fees. However, Zippy’s calling plan is
$59.99 per month, compared to Quick Call’s $49.99 per month. Zippy Cell’s plan
includes unlimited weeknight minutes after 8 p.m. and unlimited weekend
minutes. Likewise, Quick Call has some unlimited night and weekend minutes, but
its nights start at 9:00 p.m. Texting options with Zippy are fairly limited at either
$13 for up to 1,000 messages per month or $24 for unlimited texting. The three
texting plan options with Quick Call are $6 for 300 messages, $12 for 900
messages, or $26 for unlimited texting. Because most of the wolrd texts more
than they talk on the phone, teens should also opt for Quick Call with unlimited
texting.
DIVIDED ORGANIZATIONAL PATTERN
 Compare each subject all at once. You do not alternate between information
for each subject like our last example did. You can even dedicate whole
paragraphs to just one subject.
 Example:
 Zippy Cell and Quick Call cell phone service plans are similar, but Quick Cal is the
right choice for teenagers in America. Adopting a Zippy Cell service plan requires a
two-year contract at $59.99 per month. This plan includes 1,000 anytime minutes and
unlimited weeknight minutes starting at 8:00 p.m. and unlimited weekend minutes.
Texting options with Zippy are fairly limited at either $13 for up to 1,000 messages
per month or $24 for unlimited texting.
 The Quick Call cell phone service also requires a two-year contract but is only
$49.99 per month. Though Quick Call’s plan has only 900 anytime minutes, it offers
unlimited weeknight minutes starting at 9:00 p.m. and unlimited weekend minutes.
Subscribers also have three texting plan options to choose from: $6 for 300 messages,
$12 for 900 messages, or $26 for unlimited texting. Because most teenagers text
more than they talk on the phone, they should opt for Quick Call with unlimited
texting.
DAY 4
PRACTICE TIME – FEEL FREE TO THANK ME FOR BEING SO AWESOME
COMPARE AND CONTRAST PARAGRAPH
 Step 1: Choose a Topic
 Directions: List as many subjects as possible for each of the following
 A. methods of cooking
 B. types of TV shows
 C. forms of exercise
 D. types of natural disasters
 E. kinds of pets
COMPARE AND CONTRAST PARAGRAPH
 Step 2: Generate Ideas
 Discovering Similarities
 Directions: You just generated a list of subjects for five different topics. Choose two
subjects from each topic and list their similarities. Like this:
 A. methods of cooking
 BBQ
 FRYING
Similarity #1: blah, blah, blah . . .
Similarity #2: more words of sameness
 BAKING
 Discovering Differences
 Directions: You just generated a list of subjects for five different topics. Choose two
subjects from each topic and list their differences. These can be different from the ones
you chose to write similarities about, but they do not have to be.
COMPARE AND CONTRAST PARAGRAPH
 Step 3: Define Your Audience and Purpose
 Directions: Review the topics, subjects, and ideas you have generated. Choose one
topic to become the focus of your compare and contrast paragraph. Write your topic
and its two subjects. Then answer the two questions below.
 1. Who is my audience? (It isn’t going to be Mrs. H. Who are you writing to?)
 2. What is my purpose for comparing or contrasting these two subjects. (It won’t be,
“My teacher wants me to…”, etc. What are you trying to prove or argue?)
DAY 5
MORE PRACTICE
COMPARE AND CONTRAST PARAGRAPH
 Step 4: Draft your Paragraph
 Review your focus/claim. Write a topic sentence that matches your focus. Include the
purpose of the paragraph in your topic sentence.
Directions: List your topic, purpose, and audience. Then write your topic sentence. Does your
topic sentence explain your purpose and is appropriate for your audience?
After writing your topic sentence, you will use your list of similarities and differences to write the
supporting details of your paragraph.
Directions: Using one of the structures we talked about earlier (divided or alternating), the topic
sentence you just wrote, and the ideas you generated earlier (discovering similarities and differences),
write supporting details for your paragraph. Tell your audience why they should only ever cook on the
BBQ or own cobras instead of fish for pets.
Think: Have you given enough details so that you fulfill the purpose you expressed in your topic
sentence?
DAY 6
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A BAD WRITER – BAD REVISERS ARE A
DIFFERENT STORY
COMPARE AND CONTRAST PARAGRAPH
 Step 5: Revise your paragraph. This means you need to rewrite it.
 After you have finished your paragraph, read through it to check for errors in
grammar and content. Refer to this checklist to make sure you revise as
completely as possible.
 1. Is my topic sentence clear?
 2. Do my points of comparison and contrast align with my purpose?
 3. Do I hear any fragments or run-ons when reading out loud?
 4. Do all my complete thoughts have appropriate end punctuation? NO
EXCLAMATION POINTS!!!! ;)
 5. Is my paragraph appropriate for my audience?
 6. Does my purpose remain constant?
 7. Do any sentences or ideas seem off-topic?
 8. Do I make a direct claim?
DAY 7
MODEL ESSAY
 On your paper is a compare and contrast essay. Read through the essay and
then answer the questions about the essay.
DAY 8
STARTING WITH A CLAIM
WRITING A COMPARE AND CONTRAST ESSAY
 Essay writing is much like paragraph writing: you start with a topic and expand
on it with details.
 Just as a paragraph supports a topic sentence, an essay supports a thesis
statement.
CHOOSE A TOPIC
 Consider the topics below or one that clear with me. Choose one topic and
expand it into a compare-and-contrast essay.
 1. two personal role models
 2. a spring break vacation with your family and one with your friends
 3. the main characters in two books you have read
 4. two different movie action heroes
STEPS FOR A COMPARE AND CONTRAST ESSAY
 1. Choose a topic and develop a working claim.
 Answer Starter Questions:
 I will write about the similarities, the differences, or both (circle one) between
______________________________ (two subjects) because I want to show
readers that _______________ (your purpose).
 From this question, review your topic and purpose. Write a claim for your mini
essay.
DAY 9
STEPS FOR A COMPARE AND CONTRAST ESSAY
 2. Generate Ideas
 List any similarities, differences, or both for your subjects. Use the “reporter’s”
questions (who, what, where, when, why, how) to discover similarities and
differences between your two subjects.
DAYS 10 & 11
READY . . . SET . . . DRAFT!
STEPS FOR A COMPARE AND
CONTRAST ESSAY ALTERNATING
PATTERN
DIVIDED
PATTERN
Point 1
Subject 1
 3. Draft your essay
Subject A
Point 1
 No matter what your
Subject B
Point 2
purpose is you need to
decide on an
organizational pattern:
 Alternating or Divided
 Write your essay using
one of these patterns
Point 3
Point 2
Subject A
Subject 2
Subject B
Point 1
 Your essay needs to be
2-3 paragraphs long.
Each paragraph needs to
be at least 8-10
sentences long.
Point 2
Point 3
Subject A
Subject B
Point 3
DAY 12
WHAT DO WE DO AFTER WE DRAFT??
STEPS FOR A COMPARE AND
CONTRAST ESSAY
 4. Revise Your Essay
 1. Make sure each body paragraph is focused on one topic.
 Alternating: each paragraph should switch between subjects with a specific point of
comparison or contrast.
 Divided: each paragraph’s topic should be one subject.
 2. Review your details: too many? off topic? Logical organization?
 3. Transitions: Do you use words that indicate a comparison or a contrast?
Comparing Words and Phrases:
likewise, similarly, also, too, alike,
correspondingly, furthermore, then, as
well as, additionally, comparatively, like,
similar to, in the same way, along with, in
like manner, by the same token
Contrasting Words and Phrases:
however, but, yet, still, on the other hand,
unlike, on the contrary, although, despite,
while, opposite, differing, after all, in
contrast, at the same time, nonetheless,
though, and yet
DONE?
TURN YOUR ESSAY INTO THE BASKET!