Writing a Comparison and Contrast Essay

Writing Assignment

• You will write a comparison and contrast essay. You will compare and contrast two essays, “Math and After Math” by Lensey Namioka and “Rights to the Streets of Memphis” by Richard Wright.

• Examples of topics: 1. Comparing and contrasting two themes presented

in both essays. 2. Comparing and contrasting the struggles Richard

Wright and Lensey Namioka faced while growing up.

Minimum: 4 paragraphs Maximum: 5 paragraphs

What’s a comparison and contrast essay?

• Compare and contrast two subjects.

Compare- Show how two things are alike.

Contrast- Show how two things are different.

Review Essay Formation

Every essay must be composed of the following elements:

• Introduction- Tells us what the essay is about (thesis statement).

• Body- Gives us support and examples for the opinion or idea in the thesis.

• Conclusion- Ends the essay. Returns us back to the original thesis statement.

Introduction

• Proceeds from general to specific ideas.

• The last sentence is the thesis statement. It is the most specific idea in the introduction.

• Thesis statement must communicate a clear idea or opinion; it can never be a statement of fact.

Body

• Gives support for the opinion or idea in the thesis statement.

• Support can include facts, reasons, statistics, explanations, examples, comparisons and contrasts, and recommendations

Conclusion

• Brings an essay to a close.

• Refers to ideas in the introduction and the thesis statement.

• Should not bring up new unrelated ideas.

How to set up Comparison and Contrast Essay: Brainstorming• Brainstorm everything you know about

each subject.• Look for connections that show

similarities and differences.

Example: Compare and contrast two seasons: Spring and Autumn. Are there any similarities and are there differences?

Thesis Statement

• The thesis statement of an essay creates unity

• What is unity? An overarching idea.• A good thesis statement is supported by

the other ideas, explanations, and examples in the introduction, body paragraph(s), and conclusion.

What makes a good thesis statement or bad statement?

Look at these thesis statements and decide which one is a good thesis statement or bad thesis statement.

Hunger persists in Zimbabwe because jobs are scarce, the farmers are having difficulty farming on the infertile land, and the government does not allow democratic dissent.

Hunger persists in Zimbabwe.

What makes a good or bad thesis statement?

• The concept of global warming should not receive the amount of attention because the earth periodically goes through a state of warming and cooling, and therefore it is out of human control.

• The concept of global warming should not receive the amount of attention that is currently focused on this issue.

Thesis Statement: Comparison and Contrast Essay

• Look at our list and let’s ask some questions.

1. Is there something important, significant, or interesting about my list? Are there any differences or similarities between the two seasons?

2. What have I discovered about the two seasons?

Example: Although there is exquisite beauty in the seasons of Autumn and Spring, there are also differences which allow the season to stand on its own.

How to Organize Comparison and Contrast Essay: 1st Method

I. Introduction A. Briefly introduce the significance of subject matter B. Thesis Statement First supporting point Second supporting point Third supporting point

II. First work A. Summary of work Relationship of work to first point Relationship of work to second point Relationship of work to third point

Remember: Use specific examples from the text

III. Second work A. Summary of work Relationship of work to first point Relationship of work to second point Relationship of work to third point

Remember: Use specific examples from the text

IV. Conclusion A. Restate thesis B. Summarize how you proved your argument

How to Organize Comparison and Contrast Essay: 2nd Method

I. Introduction A. Briefly introduce significance of subject matter B. Thesis statement

II. Brief explanation of Work 1

III. Brief explanation of Work 2

IV. First comparative pointA. Relation of point to 1st work B. Relation of point to 2nd work

Remember: Use specific examples from the readings

and texts to support your argument

V. Second comparative point (same as above) VI. Third comparative point (same as above) VII. Conclusion A. Restate thesis B. Summarize how your proved your argument

Paragraph Unity

• Each paragraph of an essay must have unity.

• A paragraph must have one main idea.• Every sentence in the paragraph must be

relevant to that main idea.

Example of Paragraph UnityAs you manage your time, think about how long

certain activities will take. A common mistake is to underestimate the time needed to do something simple. For example, when you are planning to go to the store, there may be a line of people. Last week in line I met a woman I went to high school with, so we chatted. It turns out she has two children just the same age as mine. When you are estimating time for a more complex activity, such as reading, block out more time than you think you will need. It is better to allow too much time than too little.

Topic Sentences: Connecting the Body to the Thesis

• Topic Sentence is usually the first sentence of each body paragraph.

• Restates one of the ideas or reasons from the thesis statement.

• The rest of the paragraph describes the idea found in the topic sentence.

• Topic sentences connect the ideas in the body paragraphs to the thesis statement.

Controlling Idea

• Topic sentences usually contain a controlling idea.

• A controlling idea is when you make the reader curious.

• You make the reader question “How”? “Why?” or “What does it mean?”

Examples of Controlling Ideas

• English is one of the most difficult languages. (Why is it difficult? How is it difficult?)

• When I went to Seoul last month, I had an interesting experience on the subway. (What experience did you have? Why was it interesting?)

Examples of Not Good Controlling Idea

• Over winter break, I went to Canada and the United States to visit my family.

Why is this not a good controlling idea?

Transitional Sentences

• Connect ideas logically.• Remind the reader of ideas from the last

paragraph and they introduce ideas that come in the next paragraph.

• Can be the first or last sentence of a body paragraph

• May be an internal transition within a paragraph.

Example of Transitional Phrases, Words, or Sentences

• For continuing a line of reasoning• To contrast a line of reasoning• For opening a paragraph• For the final points of a paragraph• To signal conclusion• To restate a point• Sequence of time

Connectors Showing Comparison

• Both• And• Like• Similar to• The same as• Similarly• In the same way• Just as• In the same way that

Connectors Showing Contrast

• But• Yet• Unlike• Different from• In contrast• However• Nevertheless• Whereas• While• Although/even though• Despite/despite the fact that