Writing the Comparison and Contrast Essay

1. Writing the Comparison and Contrast Essay

2. What is the purpose of comparison and contrast? • Contrasts draw out differences between two subjects. • Comparisons outline both similarities and differences between two subjects. • Demonstrates how one subject is superior in some way to the other. • Demonstrates how two subjects, which appear dissimilar, are actually similar. • Instead of judgmental, may be informational.

3. How do I prepare to write a comparison and contrast essay? • Brainstorm everything about two subjects. • Identify points that are relevant to both subjects. • Establish a dominant idea after examining points of similarity and difference. This is the basis of the comparison/contrast. • Select those traits to focus upon based upon the dominant idea. • Be sure these traits are subject to the purpose —desired accomplishment.

4. Writing the Thesis Statement

5. How do I write a thesis statement for a comparison and contrast essay? • Decide to what extent the similarities between subjects will be stressed, and to what extent their differences will be stressed. • Create a thesis statement that reflects that decision. • Your opinion about the two topics becomes your thesis statement.

6. Examples: Weak Thesis Statements • Hitler and Stalin are somewhat alike and somewhat different. • I can see some similarities and some differences too between Hitler and Stalin. • Stalin and Hitler are both influential leaders.

7. Examples: Better Thesis Statements • Hitler and Stalin were powerful and strategic leader who greatly influenced World War II. • Although Hitler and Stalin were both powerful and strategic leaders, Hitler had a greater impact on World War II.

8. Organizing a Comparison and Contrast Essay

9. I.Introduction a) Hook b) Thesis c) Supporting Statements II. Background a) Hitler b) Stalin III. Leadership Style a) Hitler b) Stalin IV. Impact on WW II a) Hitler b) Stalin IV. Conclusion a) Emphasize Major Ties b) So What? Evaluate c) Clincher Outline -- Alternating

10. Point by Point Comparison • Good for longer, more complex papers • Make a point about one subject, and then follow it with a comparable point about the other subject. • Alternating pattern • Be careful not to fall into a monotonous, back and forth movement between points. To avoid this problem, vary sentence structure as you move from point to point.

11. Paragraph Organization --Alternating-- 2nd Paragraph 3rd Paragraph 4th Paragraph

12. Paragraph Organization --Alternating-- 2nd Paragraph 3rd Paragraph 4th Paragraph

13. Topic Sentence: The childhoods of Adolf Hitler and Josef Stalin greatly impacted the men they grew up to be. Hitler was born on April 20, 1889 in Braunau am Inn, a town in Austria-Hungary, close to the border with the German Empire (Adolf Hitler”). Josef Stalin was born on December 18, 1878 in the small town of Gori, Georgia, then part of the Russian empire (“Stalin”). Both Hitler's parentscame from poor peasant families. Stalin was born the son of Besarion Jughashvili, a cobbler, and Ketevan Geladze, a washerwoman (Smith 2). Hitler loved his mother very much, but he had a very difficult relationship with his father (Jones 3). Like Hitler, Stalin was fond of his mother and had a tumultuous relationship with his father, an alcoholic who savagely beat him (Smith 5).

14. What are the rules of thumb with comparison and contrast essays? • Be sure to discuss both subjects equally in terms of coverage. • Be sure to discuss the same elements for each subject; do not discuss one element for one subject and not do so for the other! • Have a clear purpose to achieve in the comparison/contrast.

15. Using Indicators/Transitions

16. Why do I need to use indicators/Transitions? • Good comparison or contrast essays feature the use of indicator words to convey to the reader at any given moment whether a comparison or contrast is being made and the nature of it.

17. Avoid Choppy Essays You must use transitional phrases to ensure a smooth transition from one point to another and from one subject to another. Without transitions, your argument will be difficult to follow and seem to jump back and forth without a clear point. See compare/contrast transitions on the next slide.

18. To Compare also as in the same way like likewise similarly comparable equally in addition -- both -- too To Contrast -although -but -even though -however -on the other hand -otherwise -yet -still -conversely -as opposed to -different from -whereas - while - nevertheless - in contrast Example Indicators/Transitions