Compare and Name

Contrast Essay Date

Notes
1. What is a 1. An essay that requires you to analyze the similarities and/or differences
compare/contrast between two things
essay?
2. What pre- 2. Venn diagram—Two circles that
writing technique overlap (one side of a circle overlaps with
should you use one side of another); the outer sides of
before beginning the each circle highlight points unique to
to write your one item, where the middle section,
compare/contrast which forms an oval from the
essay? overlapping, highlights similarities
between the two items.

3. How should 3. The thesis of your comparison/contrast paper is very important: it can
your thesis sound help you create a focused argument and give your reader a road map so
like? she/he doesn't get lost in the sea of points you are about to make. As in any
paper, you will want to replace vague reports of your general topic (for
example, "This paper will compare and contrast two pasta places," or "Pizza
and Pasta are similar in some ways and different in others," or "Pizza and
Pasta are similar in many ways, but they have one major difference") with
something more detailed and specific. For example, you might say, "Pizza
and Pasat have similar prices and ingredients, but their appearance and
taste set them apart." (from
http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/comparison_contrast.html)
4. How many 4. As many as necessary to address the prompt adequately, but you
paragraphs should definitely need an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
your essay be?
5. How should 5. There are two main ways to organize a compare/contrast essay: block
your essay be and point-by-point.
structured? a. block compare/contrast essays—write about the first item
completely in the first body paragraph; then write about the other item
in the second body paragraph.  If you mention a particular point in the
first paragraph, you must mention the same point in the next
paragraph, and in the same order. Don’t forget your introduction and
conclusion paragraphs. Your total number of paragraphs is 4.
b. point-by-point--A second way to organize the essay is to discuss
a particular point about item one and then immediately to discuss the
same point about the second item. Then, in the next paragraph, you
discuss another point about item one and then the same point about
item two. Finally, you discuss a third point about item one in the third
body paragraph and the same point with item two.  This is called point-
by-point or alternating arrangement. Don’t forget your introduction and
conclusion paragraphs. Your total number of paragraphs is 5.
 
6. Sample outline 5.
of a block style
compare/contrast
essay Block Arrangement (four paragraphs)
I. Introduction in which you state your purpose which is to discuss the
differences between vacationing in the lodge or at the beach
 II. Lodge
A.  Climate
B.  Types of Activities 
C.  Location 

III. Beach
A.  Climate
B.  Types of Activities 
C.  Location 

IV. Conclusion
(from http://www.eslbee.com/compcont.htm)

7. Sample outline 7.
of a point-by-point
compare/contrast
essay Point-by-Point or Alternating Arrangement (five paragraphs)
I. Introduction in which you state your purpose which is to discuss
differences between vacationing in the mountains or at the beach

II. First difference between mountains and beaches is climate

A.  Mountains
B.  Beach

III. Second difference between mountains and beaches are types of

activities
A.  Mountains
B.  Beach

IV. Third difference between mountains and beaches is the location

A.  Mountains
B.  Beach

V. Conclusion
(from http://www.eslbee.com/compcont.htm)
8. So what are 8. Writing Exercise: Answer the following question/s
you writing your a. What may account for the differences in the ways the ANC and
compare and EFF promote the agendas?
contrast essay b. Compare and contrast the apartheid and post-apartheid era in
about? South Africa.

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