Model Comparison Essay

Star Bursts or Hi-Chew?

1
Snacks seem to be part of everyday life for many people. 2In fact, according to Statista
Research Department (2022), the snack food market in the United States “generated the largest single
country revenue” at over 100 billion dollars. 3Snack foods range from salty or sweet, crunchy, or
chewy. 4Two popular sweet and chewy snacks are Starbursts, which are made in the US, and Hi-Chews,
which are made in Japan (and imported to the US). 5These two candies can be compared in terms of
appearance, taste, and nutrition.

6
In terms of appearance, both Starbursts and Hi-Chews are similar. 7They are both small,
squarish pieces of candy and both come wrapped in brightly colored paper. 8Starbursts are more
square in size while Hi-Chews are more of a plump rectangle. 9Because of their small size, both are easy
to carry around in one’s pocket or handbag.

10
Both candies have similar flavours which primarily consist of fruity flavors. 11However, Hi-
Chews have more experimental flavors such as “ramen”, “cola”, and “yoghurt”. 12Some candy
reviewers have found Hi-Chews to be more flavorful. 13One reviewer commented, Hi-Chews “are like
Starbursts without being too soft nor saccharine-y sweet, with flavors that are fuller and truer” (Matty,
n.d.).

14
The first three ingredients in both candies are similar: glucose/corn syrup, sugar,
hydrogenated palm kernel oil. 15They both contain gelatin as well as natural and artificial flavors.
16
Starbursts contain three dyes: Red 40, Yellow 5 and Blue 1. 17 In contrast, Hi-Chews contain only
natural colors which is probably why they appear more white in color. 18Unlike Hi-Chews, Starbursts
have vivid colors which is likely due to the dyes used in the candy. 19In terms of calories, the candies are
nearly identical. 20One Starburst has 20.4 calories while one Hi-Chew has 21 calories.

21
Although Starbursts and Hi-Chews are nearly identical in many ways such as size and some
fruity flavor options, in my opinion Hi-Chew is the better choice for a sweet snack. 22Hi-Chews do not
use the dyes that Starbursts use which is an important factor for me. 23I also feel that Hi-Chews are
softer and easier to chew than Starbursts and most importantly, they taste better overall. 358 words

References
Matty.(n.d.) Hi Chews: Starbursts Better Sleep with One Eye Open. Retrieved from
https://www.candygurus.com/hi-chews/

Worldwide snack food revenue by country 2022. (2022, October). Retrieved from
https://www.statista.com/aboutus/our-research-commitment

[In the above reference, there is no author mentioned. In this case, just write the title of the article].
 OUTLINE: Starbursts VS Hi-Chews
My 3 points of comparison:
Appearance, taste, nutrition

Introduction
Strategy: Broad statement and statistic
Thesis statement: These two candies can be compared in terms of appearance, taste, and nutrition.

Body Paragraph 1: Appearance

Topic sentence: In terms of appearance, both Starbursts and Hi-Chews are similar.
Supporting detail:
Similarity: small, square, can fit into one’s pocket
Difference: Hi-Chews more plump

Body Paragraph 2: Taste

Topic sentence: Both candies have similar flavours which primarily consist of fruity flavors.
Supporting detail:
Similarity: mainly fruity flavors
Difference: Hi-Chews more experimental
Quote from online source

Body Paragraph 3: Nutrition

Topic sentence: The first three ingredients in both candies are similar: glucose/corn syrup, sugar, hydrogenated
palm kernel oil.
Supporting detail:
Similarity: gelatin, natural and artificial flavors.
Calories almost identical
Difference: dyes used and resulting color of the candies

Conclusion Strategy
Summary and personal opinion with reason
 TEXT ANALYSIS
Directions: Re-read the model essay and answer the questions after each paragraph.

1
Snacks seem to be part of everyday life for many people. 2In fact, according to Statista Research Department
(2022), the snack food market in the United States “generated the largest single country revenue” at over 100 billion
dollars. 3Snack foods range from salty or sweet, crunchy, or chewy. 4Two popular sweet and chewy snacks are
Starbursts, which are made in the US, and Hi-Chews, which are made in Japan (and imported to the US). 5These two
candies can be compared in terms of appearance, taste, and nutrition.

 What strategy did I use for my hook? ____________________________________

 Circle or highlight my three points of comparison.

6
In terms of appearance, both Starbursts and Hi-Chews are similar. 7They are both small, squarish pieces of
candy and both come wrapped in brightly colored paper. 8Starbursts are more square in size while Hi-Chews are more
of a plump rectangle. 9Because of their small size, both are easy to carry around in one’s pocket or handbag.

 Underline the topic sentence.

 In what sentence do I make a slight contrast between the two candies? Sentence _____
 What word signals this contrast? ____________

10
Both candies have similar flavours which primarily consist of fruity flavors. 11However, Hi-Chews have more
experimental flavors such as “ramen”, “cola”, and “yoghurt”. 12Some candy reviewers have found Hi-Chews to be
more flavorful. 13One reviewer commented, Hi-Chews “are like Starbursts without being too soft nor saccharine-y
sweet, with flavors that are fuller and truer” (Matty, n.d.).

 Underline the topic sentence.

 Circle or highlight the word making the meaning of contrast.

14
The first three ingredients in both candies are similar: glucose/corn syrup, sugar, hydrogenated palm kernel
oil. They both contain gelatin as well as natural and artificial flavors. 16Starbursts contain three dyes: Red 40, Yellow
15

5 and Blue 1. 17 In contrast, Hi-Chews contain only natural colors which is probably why they appear more white in
color. 18Unlike Hi-Chews, Starbursts have vivid colors which is likely due to the dyes used in the candy. 19In terms of
calories, the candies are nearly identical. 20One Starburst has 20.4 calories while one Hi-Chew has 21 calories.

 Underline the topic sentence.

 What words did I use to alert the reader that I was going to make a contrast? Circle or highlight them.
 I used three words that are “cautious”. That means, these words soften my point to make room for a
difference of opinion. What are these words? _____________________________

21
Although Starbursts and Hi-Chews are nearly identical in many ways such as size and some fruity flavor
options, in my opinion Hi-Chews are the better choice for a sweet snack. 22Hi-Chews do not use the dyes that
Starbursts use which is an important factor for me. 23I also feel that Hi-Chews are softer and easier to chew than
Starbursts and most importantly, they taste better. 357 words
 What reasons do I give for my opinion that Hi—Chews are a better snack?