Instructions for the Comparison or Contrast Essay
… or do I want that other car? Instructions for the Comparison or Contrast Essay Do I want to visit Egypt on my next vacation … ? … or do I want to go to Las Vegas? … or do I want something bad? Understand what comparison or contrast requires you to do. Always choose two equal items—two cars, two vacations, two sports stars—not two unequal items, like a car and an octopus. Next, decide if you want to compare or contrast as your primary strategy. The essay should be 80/20 in favor of one strategy , not 50/50. Your job is to interest the reader. Choose points to discuss that are not immediately obvious . Now let’s test your understanding . . . A baby is like a vacuum cleaner. Even though my little brother Fred is 20 years my junior, he and I have much in common. My sister and I look alike, have common hobbies , and enjoy the same foods. Even though Venus and Serena Williams are both professional tennis stars, they differ in their opinions about men, movies, and music. Make the comparison or contrast interesting . Be sure that your essay has a purpose . Ask yourself this important question: Why would anyone want to read this comparison or contrast? Pick a pattern for your essay. Pattern A is a typical 5-paragraph essay. The thesis statement will read like this: Because of X, Y, and Z, Subject A is similar to [or different from] Subject B. Each body paragraph will discuss both Subject A and Subject B. Pattern B will look a bit different. Pattern B has only 4 paragraphs. Alas, the essay must still be 500 words. The thesis statement should not include restrictions. It should read like this: Subject A is similar to [or different from] Subject B. One body paragraph will discuss X , Y , and Z for Subject A ; the other body paragraph will do the same for Subject B If we follow the advice above … Do we have two like things? How are they alike? Would it be better to compare or contrast? What is the purpose? What will make the essay interesting? Would Pattern A or Pattern B work the best? Format the Pattern A outline correctly. Point X Subject A Detail 1 Detail 2 Detail 3 Subject B Detail 1 Detail 2 Detail 3 Roman numerals address the X , Y , and Z from the thesis statement. Capital letter A is always for the first subject ; capital letter B is always for the second subject .A detail for Subject A must correspond to a detail for Subject B. Thesis statement: The two Sigourney Weaver movies, Aliens and Gorillas in the Mist , have three important points of comparison [or contrast]: X, Y, and Z. Point X Gorillas in the Mist Aliens II. Point Y Gorillas in the Mist Aliens III. Point Z Gorillas in the Mist Aliens A Pattern B outline looks a little different: Subject A First Point of C/C 1. Detail 2. Detail 3. Detail Second Point of C/C 1. Detail 2. Detail 3. Detail Third Point of C/C 1. Detail 2. Detail 3. Detail II. Subject B First Point of C/C 1. Detail 2. Detail 3. Detail Second Point of C/C 1. Detail 2. Detail 3. Detail Third Point of C/C 1. Detail 2. Detail 3. Detail Thesis Statement: Subject A is different from/similar to Subject B. Add support with direct quotations . First, introduce the source with a speaker tag. The Queen says, … According to “Little Snow White,” … Then use the exact words of the source in quotation marks . You can make small changes with brackets like these: [ ] You can omit chunks of text with ellipses , three periods in a row where you have removed words in the middle or at the end. Follow with an in-text citation [aka parenthetical reference] If you have one or more authors , use the name(s) of the author(s) in parentheses: (Grimm and Grimm) If you do not have an author, use the abbreviated title of the work in parentheses: (“The Story”) Format the quotations like this: According to _____ [story or poem’s title], “exact words” (In-text citation). __________ says, “exact words” (In-text citation). According to “Little Snow White,” our heroine “was as beautiful as the day, and more beautiful than the Queen herself” (2, Grimm and Grimm). The queen says , “[B]ring me her heart … and I will salt and eat it” (212, Sexton). Remember: Draft, Edit, Revise Alot is not a word Write in present tense about the stories Use a TAG statement for both stories Your Task Compare and contrast the destruction of art in “The Happy Prince” and “The Smile”. Share with your friends:
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