Compare and Contrast

Essays

Created by Cindy Farnum 2004

 Purpose of comparing and
contrasting
 Show similarities
 Show differences
(contrast)

Created by Cindy Farnum 2004

 Why do people compare and
contrast in essays
 To evaluate two or more things
(texts, objects, facts…or in our
case, film and text) We evaluate
to find out which is better, if a
pattern is followed, and trends.
 To explain concepts (Just like
when we use metaphors and
similes to create a picture in our
readers’ minds, we
compare/contrast to create a
clear picture of our topic or
teach.)
Created by Cindy Farnum 2004
 You compare and contrast
things everyday.

Created by Cindy Farnum 2004

 How to get started… Step one:
Organize your information with
graphic organizers

Comparison webs
Created by Cindy Farnum 2004
Compare and Contrast Webs
Venn Diagrams
Venn Diagram
Comparative Charts/Tables
(or just like the one you used for the film/Hobbit notes)
Retro Comparison Diagram
Compare/Contrast Matrix
Organizer for Compare and
Contrast of 4 Items
 COMPARISON ALLEY
Compare / Contrast
Subject:
Comparison
Alley

Differences

Differences

Similarities
Subject:
 Step Two: Decide the essay
format

Now that I’ve

taken notes, what
essay structure
would be best to
use?

Created by Cindy Farnum 2004

 Ways to organize
compare/contrast essays
 First compare (find similarities),
then contrast (find differences)
 Point by point (compare and contrast
by category – one category/topic per
paragraph)
 Only compare (only write about
similarities)
 Only contrast (only write about
differences
 Whole-to-whole (Write about all the
details of one subject and then write
about the details of the other.)

Created by Cindy Farnum 2004

 First Compare, then
contrast format…
I. Intro: introduce
subjects and
subtopics
II. Comparison
paragraph(s)
III. Contrast
paragraph(s)
IV. Conclusion: wrap up
and highlight key
points
Created by Cindy Farnum 2004
 Point by point format…
I. Intro: introduce
subjects and
subtopics
II. Compare/contrast
topics using
category/point #1
III. Compare/contrast
topics using
category/point #2
IV. Conclusion: wrap up
and highlight key
points
Created by Cindy Farnum 2004
 Only compare format…
I. Intro:
introduce
subject and
subtopics
II. Write about
similarity #1
III. Write about
similarity #2
IV. Conclusion:
wrap up and
highlight key
Created by Cindy Farnum 2004 points
 Only contrast format…
I. Intro: introduce
subject and
subtopics
II. Write about
difference #1
III. Write about
difference #2
IV. Conclusion:
wrap up and
highlight key
Created by Cindy Farnum 2004
points
 Whole-to-whole format
I. Intro: introduce
subject and
subtopics
II. Write about first
object/subject
III. Write about second
object/subject
IV. Conclusion: wrap up
and highlight key
Created by Cindy Farnum 2004
points
 Step Three: Outline/plan
your essay
 Use a basic outline
format, list or
drawings to plan
out the structure
of your essay

Created by Cindy Farnum 2004

 Step Four: Create a thesis
statement
 Remember, a thesis
statement establishes
the topic of your essay
and the main points of
your body paragraphs.
 For example…
 Although rain and snow
are both types of
precipitation, they vary
in form, temperature,
and climate found.

Created by Cindy Farnum 2004

 Step Five: Write!
 Begin writing your
essay while thinking
about adding
details,
explanations, direct
quotes, etc.

Created by Cindy Farnum 2004

 Step Six: Add transitions
Compare Words: Contrast Words:

 although
 also  but
 too  differ
 as  even though
 as well as  however
 in contrast
 both
 instead
 in the same manner  on the other hand
 in the same way  on the contrary
 like  nevertheless
 likewise  unless
 unlike
 most important  while
 same  yet
 similar
 similarly
 the same as Created by Cindy Farnum 2004
 Step Seven: Proofread

 Read over your

 Next, read over your
essay to first
check for meaning.
(Revise)
 Do you have all the
important details?
 Have you chosen the
best words to convey
your purpose?
essay again for
mechanical, grammar and
spelling errors. (Edit)
 Have you spelled and used all
words correctly?
 Did you properly punctuate and
capitalize your sentences?
 Did you follow proper grammar
rules in your writing?

Created by Cindy Farnum 2004

 Step Eight:Type up essay…

Created by Cindy Farnum 2004

 Three Little Cyber Pigs
The Three Little CyberPigs are surfing down the Information Highway. 
They want a new clubhouse and, lo and behold, they come upon a kiosk by
the roadside, advertising the new Straw Club.  All you have to do to win the
prize --a free clubhouse-- is fill out an online survey.

Lil Pig decides to do it and answers the survey questions about her age,
favorite movies, foods, hobbies, collections and the occupation of her
parents.

When the "free prize" doesn't pan out, the pigs decide to search for a
clubhouse on the Internet.  They find one on the "fabulous twig clubhouse"
site (all yours for $3.25) and send in their money.  When it arrives, the
clubhouse collapses (no screws ? they cost an extra $99,999).

Undeterred, the Pigs embark on another clubhouse Net search and come up
with "Swine and Sons ?  Reliable Brick Clubhouses".  The problem is that
the online merchants want a credit card number.  The pigs give their
number without checking out the company.
Next they receive an email message asking them to come to the Straw
Club for an urgent meeting.  Lil Pig decides to go and finds herself the
target of a hat sale (information about her hat collecting hobby was
gleaned from the survey she completed).  She rejects the offer and
comes home disappointed.
Meanwhile their credit card information is intercepted by Wolf at the
Straw Club and the next day a load of straw hats arrive, complete with a
bill of sale for 100 hats, non-refundable, paid for by their Master Pork
Card.
Some time later, the Pigs log on to Pigscape to join the Skateboarders'
Chat Room.  Les Pig introduces himself to the group and someone
responds immediately with the message "Hello, Les Pig. I'd like to get to
know you. Signed, Big Bad Wo...oops!  I'm a Lamb."
Fortunately Ma Pig is home when the devious and potentially dangerous
wolf arrives.
Resources/Sources for PowerPoint

ReadWriteThink’s Compare/Contrast Interactive Tutorial

http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/compcontrast/
Chart Graphic Organizer:
http://www.readwritethink.org/lesson_images/lesson275/compcon_chart
.pdf

Compare/Contrast Guide
http://www3.iptv.org/exploremore/PDFs/CompareandContrast.pdf
Education Oasis Compare/Contrast Graphic Organizers:
http://www.educationoasis.com/curriculum/GO/compare_contrast.htm
Reading Quest
www.readingquest.org

Other sources:
McGraw-Hill
Created by Cindy Farnum 2004