The Compare/Contrast Essay

1. The Compare/Contrast Essay An Introduction

2. Compare/Contrast • “In some cases, comparison/contrast is only part of the essay—you begin by comparing and/or contrasting two or more things and then use what you’ve learned to construct an argument or evaluation.” • Implicit: Learn to read your prompt! • Break it down into components. • Grasp just how many tasks it’s asking you to perform. • Compare? • Contrast? • Both? • Evaluate? • More?

3. Compare/Contrast • Let’s consider our prompt: “Compare and contrast Gilgamesh and Batman to evaluate which of these characters’ heroism offers you lessons that pertain to you and circumstances in your life.” • What tasks does our prompt ask you to perform in the essay? • Compare andcontrast—similarities and differences • Evaluate • “to consider or examine something in order to judge its value, quality, importance, extent, or condition” • Unstated: APPLY your evaluation— “which of these characters’ heroism offers you lessons that pertain to you and circumstances in your life” • To apply… • Select one (Gilgamesh or Batman) • Explain HOW his heroism pertains to you and your circumstances

4. Compare/Contrast • Finding similarities and differences—how? • Both Gilgamesh and Batman are heroes who undertake journeys. • The stages (Departure, Initiation, Return) and steps (17 possible) both provide natural points of comparison. • More than you’ll need? Probably. How to decide? • Which of them are interesting, important, and relevant enough to be included? • What’s relevant to the assignment? • What’s relevant to the course? • What’s interesting and informative? • What matters to the argument you are going to make? • What’s basic or central (and needs to be mentioned even if obvious)? • Overall, what’s more important—the similarities or the differences?

5. Compare/Contrast • Evaluation • You get to be the judge—which character’s heroism relates to your life? • Seeing the similarities and differences should help you make that judgment.

6. Compare/Contrast • Application – Structuring the Thesis Statement • Why start with the thesis? • It’s the heart of your essay—it presents both your topic and a position that requires defense. • If a thesis isn’t debatable, it’s not an effective thesis. For example: • This paper will compare and contrast Gilgamesh and Batman as heroes, and Batman relates to my life. POOR THESIS STATEMENT! • Why is it poor? • This is just an announcement—DO NOT use the “this paper will” approach…too artificial. • “Batman relates to my life”—doesn’t state a position to defend…

7. Compare/Contrast • So let’s use the “Amazing Thesis Worksheet” approach… • STEP 1: TOPIC—that’s easy, as it’s dictated by your prompt: • Batman, Gilgamesh, and you • STEP 2: THE POSITION—okay…what do you believe to be true? What do you wish to argue? • I can learn lessons and find links to my life by studying heroes, more from Batman—new chapter, confronting fear. • STEP 3: THE QUALIFICATION--Is what you say always true always?  Are there exceptions?  Are there good reasons why your position may have a downside? How can you make your position have a reality check? What general reasons why your position may have problems can you admit up front? Absolute statements cause your thesis to seem foolishly simplistic.  • Here’s a trick: begin your qualification with a word like “although” or phrase like “It is true that. . .” Don’t worry if it’s not a complete sentence. • “Although Batman and Gilgamesh are both heroes when examined beneath the lens of the monomyth…”

8. Compare/Contrast • STEP 4: THE REASON—in general why do you believe your position to be correct in spite of your qualification? What is the overall good to be gained by agreeing with your position? This is a general statement; your specific reasons will follow in the body of your essay. • “Batman’s hero’s journey offers lessons and links to my life that are more pertinent than those I could get from Gilgamesh.” • STEP 5: PUT THEM ALL TOGETHER—In one or two sentences, present your thesis, including a qualification, a reason, and a position. • The classic, traditional way of combining is to first present your qualification. This immediately demonstrates your interest in accuracy. • Then present your general reason, which demonstrates your thinking process. • Finally, present the punch line—your position. Here it is: • “Although Batman and Gilgamesh are both heroes when examined beneath the lens of the monomyth, Batman’s ability to confront his fear provides a more useful model for me as I am about to embark on a new chapter in my life.”

9. Compare/Contrast “Although Batman and Gilgamesh are both heroes when examined beneath the lens of the monomyth, Batman’s ability to confront his fear provides a more useful model for me as I am about to embark on a new chapter in my life.” • Why is this more effective? • It suggests comparison and contrast. • It suggests why one pertains more than the other. • This opens more windows of opportunity for the writer to address. • It clearly hits on each of the tasks stated or implied by the prompt. • The author will have to defend his claim by supporting it with pertinent details—connecting events in Batman Begins to his own life, showing how one speaks to the other.