Comparison and Contrast Writing

The Task
After visiting a group of people where you would consider yourself the other, identify
and describe the values that define each of those groups.

Prewriting: Finding a Topic

To get started writing there are some questions to consider before you start:
What topic do you want to explore? When choosing a topic, pick something that can maintain your
interest make it something substantive, meaningful, and worthwhile. It might be something about your
perspective or beliefs that have recently caught your attention and youd like to consider more.
Sometimes it helps going into a writing assignment with a question you can focus on answering; e.g., if
you go to a wedding ceremony where the religious or cultural beliefs are different than your own: what
are my basic assumptions about marriage and how do weddings represent them?
What do I want this essay to accomplish? There are generally three purposes to comparison and
contrast essays:

To express ideas: are you trying to explore how your feel or what you think about a topic by
comparing it to another thing?
To inform: are you trying to let your readers know about something by comparing it to something
else?
To persuade: are you trying to persuade your readers that one thing is better than another?

What do you want to help convey to your audience? How will your tone impact your persona?
Consider that your audience may not have any specialized knowledge about the topic youve decided on
define any terms or jargon. Your readers may not necessarily share your opinions and values use your
appeals to get your audience to consider something different.
Which point-of-view would best serve your comparison? First person point of view will create a more
personal experience from the narrator. Third will seem more distant and authoritative. Second should only
be used under extreme caution because of the violent aversion your AP Lang teachers have to it.
Consider in your thesis statement the importance of these three functions:
It identifies subjects being compared and contrasted.
It suggests whether the focus is on similarities, differences, or both.
o Whether you cover similarities, differences, or both strive to treat your subjects fairly
It states the main point of the comparison and contrast.
When youve determined your subjects -- make sure you have a sufficient number of
significant characteristics and details.
Select characteristics that are significant as well as relevant to the essays purpose and thesis
Each characteristic should be fully described or explained so readers can grasp the main point of
the comparison.
A writer may use sensory details, dialogue, examples, expert testimony, or other kinds of details in
comparison
Then, its helpful to jot down ideas using pre-writing strategies. Some ideas to consider:
Branching Diagram: This might help generate ideas for points of comparison

1 | Page
McWhorter, Kathleen. Successful College Writing. 3rd ed. Boston: Bedford/ St. Martins, 2006.

S
p ort
Sport
H
u n ti
Hunti
grc
S
on
u
ng
Sourc
e
f
e o
of
Fo
od
Food

W
ild
Wild
G
am e
Game
H
u n ti
Hunti
n
g
ng

h
u n t in
huntin
g
g
s
a fa r i
safari
sr a lity
m
os
morality

e
ff e c ts o
n
effects
on
e
n v iro n m
environm
e
nt
ent

Graphic Organizers:
essay.

p
r iz e d s
p e c ie s may
m a y become
becom e
prized
species
e n d a n g e re d
endangered
h
u n te r s may
m ay s
p o il p
r is t in e wilderness
w ild e rn e s s a
re a s
hunters
spoil
pristine
areas

re g u la te d h
u n tin g helps
h e lp s c
o n tro l a
n im a l
regulated
hunting
control
animal
p
o p u la tio n s
populations

Select either point-by-point or block organizational structures to build your

Block emphasizes the larger picture, whereas point-by-point emphasizes details and specifics.
Point-by-point works better for lengthy essays because it keeps both subjects current in your
readers mind.
Point-by-point is often preferable for complicated or technical subjects.

Point-by-Point
Organization

Point
of Comparison
3
Point of
Comparison 3
Subject
Subject
(IB11 and
Subject
Subject 2
2
(IB
and pre-AP)
pre-AP)

Introduction
Introduction
Background
information
Background
information
(comparing
Callanan
(comparing
Callanan to
to
Description
of
Description
of Subjects
Subjects
Merrill)
Merrill)
Thesis
Thesis Statement
Statement
Spark
Spark Reader's
Reader's interest
interest

Point
1
Point of
of Comparison
Comparison 1
(History
of
(History
of School)
School)
Subject
1
Subject 2

Subject 1
(Callanan)
(Callanan)

(Callanan)
(Callanan)

(Merrill)
(Merrill)

Point
of Comparison
4
Point of
Comparison 4
(Extra-Curricular
(Extra-Curricular
Subject
Subject
Subject 1
1
Subject 2
2
Opportunities)
Opportunities)
(Callanan)
(Merrill)
(Callanan)
(Merrill)

Conclusion

Conclusion
Reinforces
Reinforces Thesis
Thesis
Summarizes
Points
Summarizes Main
Main Points

Subject 2
(Merrill)
(Merrill)

Point
2
Point of
of Comparison
Comparison 2
(Diversity
of Student
Pop.)
(Diversity
Pop.)
Subject 1 of Student
Subject
2
Subject 1
(Callanan)
(Callanan)

Subject 2
(Merrill)
(Merrill)

2 | Page
McWhorter, Kathleen. Successful College Writing. 3rd ed. Boston: Bedford/ St. Martins, 2006.

Subject-bySubject or
Block
Organization
Introduction
Introduction

Subject
Subject 2
2

Point
Comparison
Point of
of
Comparison 1
1
(Merrill)
(Merrill)
(History of
School)
(History
of School)

Background
Background information
information
(comparing
Callanan
(comparing
Callanan to
to
Description
of
Description
of Subjects
Subjects
Merrill)
Merrill)
Thesis Statement
Thesis
Statement
Spark
Spark Reader's
Reader's interest
interest

Subject
2
Subject 2
(Merrilll)
Point of(Merrilll)
Comparison 2

(Diversity
Population)
(Diversity of
of Student
Student Population)

Subject
1
Subject 1
(Callanan)
(Callanan)

Conclusion

Conclusion
Reinforces
Reinforces Thesis
Thesis
Summarizes Maing
Summarizes
Maing Points
Points

Point of
1
Point
of Comparison
Comparison 1
(History
(History of
of School)
School)

Subject
Subject 1
1
(Callanan)
(Callanan)
Point of
of Comparison
2
Point
Comparison 2
(Diversity
(Diversity of
of Student
Student Population)
Population)

First Draft: Topic & Structure

DUE: 10/30 WIKI

Whatever the purpose of a comparison or contrast essay, its main point about its subject should spark
readers interest rather than bore them with a mechanical listing of similarities and differences
(McWhorter 381).
Point-by-Point:

Work back and forth between your two subjects, generally mentioning the subjects in the same
order. If both subjects share a particular characteristic, then you may want to mention the two
subjects together
Arrange your points of comparison carefully; start with the clearest, simplest points and then move
on to more complex one.

Block

Be sure to cover the same points for both subjects

Cover the points of comparison in the same order in both halves of your essay
Write a clear statement of transition wherever you switch from one subject to the other.

Use transitions! (You know its important if I use an exclamation point.)

These are so important in helping your readers follow your points of comparison.
o They alert readers to shifts between subjects or to new points of comparisons.
o E.g., similarly, in contrast, on the one hand, on the other hand, and not only but also.

Write an effective introduction.

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McWhorter, Kathleen. Successful College Writing. 3rd ed. Boston: Bedford/ St. Martins, 2006.

Sounds easy, right? Heres what it should do:

o
spark the readers interest,
o present your subjects,
o state your thesis,
o and include any background info your readers may need.

Write a satisfying conclusion.

Some
o
o
o

suggestions:
Offer a final comment on your comparison or contrast
Remind your readers of your thesis
And if your paper is really lengthy, summarize your main points as well

Revision: Style imagery, figurative language, diction, & syntax

DUE 11/06 WIKI
Take some time after youve written your first draft before you reread or revise it.
Then read your essay aloud better yet, ask someone to read it to you.
As they read it, create an outline to see if your organization contains inconsistencies or gaps.
After each paragraph ask the question, so what? This will check to see if the details you are adding are
relevant to your thesis and build upon each other. If you cant answer that question, revise or delete it.
To further check your structure, try these steps:
1. Highlight your thesis statement
a. Does it identify the subjects being compared and state your main point?
b. Does it express a clear purpose?
2. Place a checkmark next to the sentences that focus on the similarities. Mark an X next to the
sentences that focus on differences.
a. Do you fairly examine similarities and differences?
b. Is each similarity or difference significant, and does each support your thesis?
3. Write the basis of comparison at the top of your paper.
a. Is your basis of comparison clear?
b. Does it clearly relate to your thesis?
4. Draw a circle around your shared characteristic on which you base your essay.
a. Do you include at least on characteristic for each paragraph?
5. Underline the topic sentences of each paragraph.
a. Does each paragraph have a topic sentence?
b. Is each paragraph focused on a separate point or shared characteristic?
6. Draw a wavy underline under the concrete details in each paragraph.
a. Do you include enough details to make your comparisons vivid and interesting?
b. Do all of your details relate to your topic sentences and shared characteristics?
7. Put a box around the sentence that provides a context for comparison in your introduction.
a. Are your topics, points of comparison, and purpose clear?
8. Put a box around the sentence that provides closure to your comparison in your conclusion.
a. Does your conclusion remind the readers of the issue?
b. Do you have a memorable conclusion?
i. Consider looking ahead: take readers beyond the scope of the time frame of your
essay
ii. Consider discussing larger implications: point to larger issues not fully addressed in
the essay, but do not introduce a completely new issue
Examine your syntax and consider these writing strategies to strengthen your sentence structure:

Begin your sentences in a variety of ways (No Two Sentences Start with the Same Word).
Vary the length of your sentences (not all long, complex or short, choppy sentences).

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McWhorter, Kathleen. Successful College Writing. 3rd ed. Boston: Bedford/ St. Martins, 2006.

Feel free to use coordinating conjunctions to make compound sentences (but dont forget
your commas Ms. Lange hates that).
Make sure no sentences end in a preposition.
Avoid starting sentences with a coordinating conjunction.
Read your paper aloud to someone; it should have an easy flow and rhythm

Review your diction and consider these strategies to strengthen your word choice:

Eliminate weak verbs and adjectives

Avoid dead words or untouchables
Use consistent tense in your writing (present? past?)
Select accurate, strong, specific, powerful words that energize your writing
Use transitions consistently in the writing to show that you are moving from one detail to the
next (Thats right. Its going in the rough draft and revision phases.)

Final Draft: Usage, Punctuation, & Grammar check

WIKI

DUE: 11/13

These are common mistakes made in comparison and contrast writing, check your writing for these
possible errors:
Look at adjective and adverbs and their degrees of comparison positive, comparative, and
superlative.
o Make sure you change the form of adjective and adverbs when you compare two items
(comparative) and when you compare three or more items (superlative).
Both The Others and Hannibal were suspenseful, but I liked The Others better (not
best).
Make sure that items in a pair linked by correlative conjunction (either or, neither nor, not only
but also) are in the same grammatical form.
o The Grand Canyon is not only a spectacular tourist attraction, but also scientists consider it
a useful geological record

for scientists.

Dont forget about these old favorites:

Use a comma between coordinate adjectives that are not joined by and.
o Kaiden was a confident, skilled pianist.
You can tell if you need a comma because they can be switched and it still makes
sense: Kaiden was a skilled, confident pianist.
Do not use commas between cumulative adjectives.
o Two frightened brown eyes peered at us from under the sofa.
You wouldnt write frightened two brown eyes.
Use a hyphen to connect two words that work together as an adjective before a noun.
o Well-used book
o Perfect-fitting shoes
o Foil-wrapped pizza
Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction when joining two independent clauses.
o I love writing descriptive papers, but they seem out of place when they are not integrated
into a full essay.

Writing Reflection
What do you consider your greatest strength in this paper?

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McWhorter, Kathleen. Successful College Writing. 3rd ed. Boston: Bedford/ St. Martins, 2006.

What part of this paper would you revise again if you could?

What do you think youve improved the most in the writing of this paper?

What was the most difficult thing you wrestled with in writing this paper?

What would you like Ms. Lange to think about as shes reading your paper?

I Want an A Checklist:

FINAL Due Date: NOVEMBER 25th or 26th

Topic

The subjects being compared and contrasted are substantive, meaningful, and worthwhile
Whether you cover similarities, differences, or both your subjects are treated fairly
The main points of the comparison and contrast are clear and compelling
Writing is authentic, coming from writers experience

Structure
Paragraph focusses on one point of comparison or subject
Strong topic sentence(s)
Thoughtful transitions clearly show how ideas connect
Sequencing that is logical and effective
o Point-by-Point
o Block
Paragraph structure matches the purpose of writing and flows smoothly
Solid closing sentences that drives home the dominant impression or theme

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McWhorter, Kathleen. Successful College Writing. 3rd ed. Boston: Bedford/ St. Martins, 2006.

Diction

No weak verbs or adjectives are included

Included vocabulary that is striking and varied
Consistent tense is used throughout writing
No dead words or untouchables
Transitions are used to make reading clear and smooth

Syntax

Complete sentences are used throughout the writing

Sentences begin with a variety of ways (NTSSWTSW)
Sentences vary in length
No sentences end with a preposition
No sentences start with a coordinating conjunction

Usage, Grammar, and Punctuation

Accurate use of adjectives and adverbs and their degrees of comparison positive, comparative,
and superlative.
Items in a pair linked by correlative conjunction are in the same grammatical form.
Use a comma between coordinate adjectives that are not joined by and.
Do not use commas between cumulative adjectives.
Use a hyphen to connect two words that work together as an adjective before a noun.
Use a comma before a coordinating
conjunction when joining two independent
clauses.

Use MLA heading

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McWhorter, Kathleen. Successful College Writing. 3rd ed. Boston: Bedford/ St. Martins, 2006.