Compare/Contrast - GW5 - Unit 5-2

Compare/Contrast Essay - Unit 5 Great Writing 5 textbook.

In this unit, you will be learning about how to write a Compare/Contrast essay. This is just an introduction to this kind of essay writing, as we will discuss your specific topic for Essay #2 in the next two following Modules. 

                                                 

Please read Unit 5, pages 98-101. 

Your general topic for Essay #2 is to identify with one character in our reader, Hidden Figures, and write a Compare/Contrast essay about how there are similarities and/or differences in your life experiences, compared/contrasted to hers.  More about this topic next week, but you can start thinking/brainstorming about it.

You've already written a Discussion piece on two figures you admired - your Compare/Contrast essay #2 could be identification with one of those characters you discussed.

Back to Unit 5's explanation of Compare/Contrast: Note on page 98 there is a definition of Comparison essay. What is it? From text:

• "A comparison essay can:
• say that two subjects are more different than similar;
• say that two subjects are more similar than different;
• show how two subjects share both similarities and differences.

In other words, a comparison essay may focus on comparing, on contrasting, or on both" (98).

                                                                                                                 

Now, the IMPORTANT FACTOR is ORGANIZATION, and that comes from choosing one of two OUTLINE formats. You need to make a choice of either writing about your two subjects "one point at a time" or "block method."  (note: some books refer to the second type as "subject by subject.")  Read carefully pages 98-99 in text.

Please study the chart on page 99 showing the two styles.  Again, when you start putting your ideas together for essay #2, you will want to choose one of these styles for your body paragraph structure.

                 

                                                                                                                           

I generally recommend students use "one point at a time" as it is easier on shorter essays. For example, you could discuss similarities or differences with your character in three points. That would be one body paragraph for each point, totaling three body paragraphs. It's much easier than the block method. 

NOTE: The paragraph style you choose is only for BODY PARAGRAPHS only. Whether it's one point at a time or block style, your paper will always begin with an Introductory paragraph and end with a Concluding paragraph.

The above two organizational plans are for BODY PARAGRAPHS only.

In our text, read page 100 at the top of the page about the importance of identifying somehow with your topic, the character you've chosen from Hidden Figures. For example, you can start thinking about:

• what features/characteristics do you have in common with your character?
• what characteristics do you not have in common?
• can you develop a thesis by comparing and contrasting these traits?

 

                                                                     

Skip Activity 1 and go to page 101, "Brainstorming with a Venn Diagram."

Notice in the left circle is one topic and in the right circle is the other topic - both circles describe unique characteristics that are different from the other topic.

So what turns up in the middle? What the two have in common - or similarities.

See how that works? You can start thinking of you and your character from the reader and draw your own Venn Diagram. What are your differences? And what do you have in common?

This is just a beginning. We will be doing more preparation work on brainstorming and outlining next week for Essay #2.

Azad pulled the following demonstration up from CAS worksheets available online in PDF form. Here's a CAS example of Compare/Contrast. Click on the link.

CAS-COMPARE/CONTRAST Links to an external site.

                                                                                  

Notice also that you will want to practice using Transitional phrases specific to Compare/Contrast. The CAS flyer has a box full of transitions. And our GW5 textbook does too. See page 108. You can practice using these in your essay where you move from one point to another. They are like road signs to show what's ahead or to change directions.

This is the end of our reading for this week. You may read ahead on your own, but we will continue the textbook in the next Module, pages 102-108.

Now you are finished with this week's Module. If you have time, start brainstorming for Essay #2.

Good luck.

See next page for Summary of this week's work.