Compare and Contrast Essay To compare means to

Compare and Contrast Essay

To compare means to point out similarities. To contrast means to point out differences

A Comparison/contrast essay shows how things are alike or different to help the reader choose between alternatives or to increase understanding of a literary work

Two things must be alike enough to result in a meaningful comparison. Choose subjects that are similar enough to be compared or contrasted.

You need to find points of comparison that are parallel to show the subjects are similar or different.

A baby is like a vacuum cleaner. WRONG!

Even though my little brother Fred is 20 years my junior, he and I have much in common.

Brainstorm by using either a chart or a Venn Diagram Stor y #1 Story #2 Stor y #2 Chart Story #1 Venn Diagram

Highlight the key ideas that present an insightful argument

Thesis The thesis statement in the essay includes the two subjects you are comparing or contrasting and the main point you want to make about them.

Thesis Statements • • This is your argument- your big idea It must include BOTH stories It must be specific and insightful It should not include the first or second person (no “I” or “you”) • Bad thesis: I am going to compare the similarities and the differences between Close Encounters of the Third Kind and E. T. • Good Thesis: A close examination of the way Roy Neary, the protagonist in Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Elliott, the protagonist in E. T. react to their encounters with aliens demonstrate that Steven Spielberg uses both films to tell similar stories about the difficulties of growing up.

• Bad Thesis: “Harrison Bergeron” and “The Dollhouse” are stories with characters that fight injustice. • Good Thesis: “Harrison Bergeron” and “The Dollhouse” are stories with characters that fight injustice yet “Harrison Bergeron” is a satirical story that ridicules our perception of the rebellious hero and “The Dollhouse” uses the stereotypical innocent child who indirectly questions the established social norms.

Organization Whether you decide to write about similarities or differences, you will have to decide how to organize your essay. You can choose between two patterns of organization:

Block Method Say everything (your details) about your first subject and then you say everything about your second subject. The same points should be discussed for both subjects in the same order. Usually this means a four paragraph essay. Best for shorter essays.

Subject by subject Outline I -Introduction: lead-in and thesis II- Body: Topic sentence Subject 1 point 2 point 3 Topic sentence Subject 2 point 1 point 2 point 3 III. Conclusion

Point by Point You support and explain your thesis statement by discussing each point of comparison or contrast, switching back and forth between subjects

Point by Point Outline I- Introduction: Lead-in and Thesis II- Body: Topic sentence point 1 subject 2 Topic sentence point 2 subject 1 subject 2 Topic sentence point 3 subject 1 subject 2 III - Conclusion

Use Transitions • • • One similarity Another similarity Similarly Like Both As well as Also Too In addition • • • One difference Another difference In contrast Unlike Although But, yet Instead of On the other hand Whereas

Don’t forget comparative of adjectives and adverbs: more … than less … than as … as the same …as

Quote Integration One or two lines from the story • No quote bombs! • Use a comma or colon before the quote • Use quotation marks around the quote • Cite your source at the end of the quote with brackets and page number. Eg. (pg. 11) More than four lines from the story • End your text with a colon before. . • Indent and make a block quote so the lines line up • Insert a blank line between your text and the quote • No quotation marks necessary • Cite your source at the end of the quote Eg. (pg. 12)

Parts of a quote- no comma before the quote. • The character Else was a “wishbone of a child” (166) and portrayed as innocent and vulnerable. • The girls wanted to be “horrid to them” (166) as a way to gain playground power.

One to two lines of quotes-need commas or colons before the quote -use one quotation mark for dialogue within the double quotation marks • The effect of the bullying made the Kelvey’s feel inferior: “Burning with shame, shrinking together, Lil huddling along like her mother, our Else dazed, somehow they crossed the big courtyard and squeezed through the gate” (page 169). • One way the girls bullied the Kelveys was to point out their parents occupations. As Lena, the playground bully asks, “ ‘Is it true you’re going to be a servant when you grow up, Lil Kelvey? ’ shrilled Lena” (pg. 168).

Block Quotes -no quotation marks around quote -indent and insert a space -use a colon before the quote • The effect of excluding the Kelvey’s from the wealthier girls was exhilarating: This was such a marvellous thing to have said that the little girls rushed away in a body, deeply excited, wild with joy. Someone found a long rope, and they began skipping. And never did they skip so high, run in and out so fast, or do such daring things as they did that afternoon. (pg. 168) It is clear the girls felt great power by discriminating.