COMPARE AND CONTRAST

CLASSIFICATIONDEFINITION

COMPARE AND CONTRAST ESSAYS

Purpose Look at similarities and differences Could look just at similarities Could look just at differences Test questions

Ask to compare (specifically for similarities)Ask to contrast (specifically for difference)Compare and/or contrast

Prewrite

Identify the two topics Generate ideas for similarities and

differences

ClusterUse two clusters for each subject and pull

out similarities and differences

Prewriting—Clustering

Olive Garden Cheddar’s

Restaurant Restaurant

At Highlands At

Highlands

Italian Food Variety of Food

Colums for Each Subject

Olive Garden Italian

theme Italian food Expensive At

Highlands

Similarities Restaurant

s Similar

clientele Have bars Hours of

operation

Prewrite—Brainstorm

Columns for Similarities and Differences

Cheddar’s• Tropical

Theme

• Variety of food

• Inexpensive

• At Highlands

Differences Theme Food Prices

Cheddars

Prewrite—Venn Diagram

Olive Garden

Restaurants

Highlands

Similar Clientele

Bar Area & Main seating area

Similar hours of operation

Italian/Tuscany theme

Italian food

Expensive

Changing menu items (seasonal)

Tropical Theme/design

Food variety, homecooking

Inexpensive

Little to no changes in menu

Organization—Point-by-Point Alternates b/t 2 subjects, going back and

forth from one subject to anotherApply a point to one subject, then apply

point to next subjectrepeat Discuss points in same order for both

subjects Use when points are complex

Organization—Point by PointI. Introduction

II. BodyA. Point 1

1. Subj. A

2. Subj. B

B. Point 21. Subj. A

2. Subj. B

C. Point 31. Subj. A

2. Subj. B

III. Conclusion

I. Introduction

II. BodyA. Point 1—Subject A

B. Point 1—Subject B

C. Point 2—Subject A

D. Point 2—Subject B

E. Point 3—Subject A

F. Point 4—Subject B

III. Conclusion

Why Use Point-by-Point?

Gives a direct comparison on each point Easier for audience to see the

similarities or differences What instructors usually prefer

Point-by-Point in Sample Essay

Support Paragraph 1 Point: morning routines

○ Boys (with specific details)○ Girls (with specific details)

Support Paragraph 2 Point: school day experiences

○ Boys (with details)○ Girls (with details)

Support Paragraph 3 Point: lunch experiences

○ Boys (with details)○ Girls (with details)

Support Paragraph 4 Point: after school activities

○ Boys (with details)○ Girls (with details)

Organization: Subject-by-Subject Treat two subjects separately

First half of body—Subject ASecond half of body—Subject B

May want to include point-by-point paragraph in last body paragraphTie in all points about both subjectsSide-by-side comparison of points between

subjects

Organization: Subject-by-Subject Introduction Body

Subject A pointsSubject A pointsSubject B pointsSubject B points

Conclusion

Introduction Body

Subject A pointsSubject A pointsSubject B pointsSubject B pointsPoint-by-point

comparative summary of points for A and B

ConclusionSimple subject-by-subject gives

audience a list. Audience must

keep track of side by side

comparisonWriter provides side-by-

side comparison

Coherency: Logical Order Points for point-by-point and subject-by-

subjectLeast important comparative point to most

important point about subjectsDiscuss each point in same order for both

subjects Compare and contrast can be

persuasive writingMight not want to end on a positive note

about the subject you do not favor

Coherency: Transitions B/t points about subjects in point-by-point

paragraph In TS of body paragraph to move points along Types:

One word (similarly, instead)Phrase (on the other hand, in comparison)Sentence (incorporate words from previous ideas)

Use words appropriate to whether you are comparing or contrasting

Page 217

Thesis Statement Mention both subjects of comparison Mention whether you will compare or

contrast or both Could mention specific points

For example: Olive Garden and Cheddar’s are similar in the clientele they attract and the quality of employees, but they differ in terms of their menu and cost.Subjects?Compare or contrast?What points to support?

Writing and After…

Outlines help with first draftsKeep organizedVisual queue that writer pertains each point

to each subject and keeps in order Revision

Read essay and keep side by side list to check points

Make big changes Edit for mistakes

Checking Your PointsSubject A: Subject B:

Point 1: Point 1:

Point 2: Point 2:

Point 3: Point 3:

Point 4: Point 4:

Classification Essays

Purpose

Given a topic into which you break down into parts/categoriesWithin categories are specifics…

○ Vehicles Personal

- Cars—Honda Civic- SUVs—Jeep Liberty

Industrial- Semi-trucks

Mass transit- Bus- Subway

School transit

When to Use Used when asked to identify components,

kinds, types, categories, parts of a whole Examples:

Psych: child development theoriesScience: parts of a cell, of the bodyHVAC: parts of a heaterCulinary: types of nutrients

Organize and Develop Main Idea Prewrite ideas and group specifics into

clear and distinct categories Draft a thesis

Identify main topicIdentify the categories OR an overall point

about the main topic

Structure—Reflect Logical Order

Introduction Body

Support Paragraph 1: first major category○ Explain characteristics of

this category with specific examples

Support paragraph 2: second major category○ Explanation w/examples

Support paragraph 3: third major category○ Explanation w/examples

Conclusion

Introduction Body

Support Paragraph 1: minor category(ies)○ Explain w/examples

Support Paragraph 2: first MAJOR category○ Explain w/examples

Support Paragraph 3: most important category○ Explain w/examples

Conclusion

Sample Essay (224)

Thesis? Category 1: cars with names of places

Park Avenue, Malibu, Sebring, Daytona Category 2: cars with rough, tough, or

dangerous namesWrangler, Rodeo; Cadillac, Pontiac

Category 3: cars that imply exploration, discoveryLaSalle; Blazer, Explorer, Pathfinder

Review

Divide a topic into distinct categories Organize based on groups or from minor

to major categories (logical order) Main idea: give overall idea or list of

categories Write, revise, edit

Definition Essays

Purpose

More than a one-sentence, formal definitionFormal definition: the term, class term

belongs to, and explanation of what makes that term unique

Provide extended definition

Purpose

Use one or various patterns of developmentNarrativeExemplificationCause/effectEtc.

Use for complex or abstract terms and ideas

Prewriting Suggestions

Use focused freewriting Use group brainstorming (talk to

people!)

Thesis

Considering ideas, what overall impression has writer developed?Complex to define?Goes beyond formal definition?Presents dominant impression?Shows how something occurred?

Thesis

Include:What term you are definingMain points for each paragraph (divided

thesis) OR an overall theme

Structure

Various Patterns of Development

One Pattern of Development

Introduction Body

Definition by narration Definition by cause and

effect Definition by

exemplification Conclusion

Introduction Body

Definition by example Additional example(s) Most important example(s)

Conclusion

Coherency

Generally, follow logical order (save strongest paragraph for last)

Within paragraph patterns, follow order commonly used for each patterni.e., time order for definition by narrationi.e., spatial order for definition by descriptioni.e., logical order for definition by argument

Coherency—Transitions

Words and phrases w/in paragraphs to move supporting sentences along

Phrases w/in topic sentences to move major points along in an essay

Use repetitive language or refer to previous concepts to tie ideas together

Sample Essay (230)

Thesis? Divided or overall message? Support paragraph one

Pattern: Compare/contrast point-by-point (non-street smart versus street smart person)

Support paragraph twoPattern: Compare/contrast subject-by-

subject Support paragraph three

Pattern: exemplification

Journal

Identify similarities and differences between two jobs that you have held.

What types of courses will be most useful for your major?

What does it mean to be “successful”?

Pick one topic and spend about 20 minutes writing about it. Check your work.