Compare and Contrast Paper

1. Compare and Contrast Paper English I

2. Copy the following list: in the same way alike similarity parallel as well as similarly just as as in a similar fashion analogous to Comparison Words Contrast Words but however in contrast while yet differ difference despite variation still on the contrary conversely otherwise on the other hand likewise just comparable related like equally in like manner akin corresponds to

3. Draw the Paragraph Diagram 1 2 3

4. Paragraph Structure • Topic sentence: the first sentence in the paragraph that expresses the main idea. • Evidence: provide at least three examples that show how the two people are alike/different. • Use compare and contrast words (from your list). • Ex. Although Atticus was strict with Jem and Scout, he said words like “baby” and “hon” that exemplify his tenderness. Similarly, Calpurnia shows her gentleness toward Scout when she made “cracklin’ bread” after Scout’s difficult first day of school. • Closing sentence: state the main idea in another way or show the significance.

5. Detailed Outline (for all three points) Point #: ___________________ Topic Sentence: ___________________ 1. Specific examples/evidence 2. Specific examples/evidence 3. Specific examples/evidence Concluding statement: ___________________

6. Sample Outline • Piecing: giving pieces of the information for each individual subject in each paragraph—arranging the information by topic rather than by subject. • Here’s a sample outline:    • Differences and Similarities in Jane and Alice’s appearances • Differences and Similarities in Jane and Alice’s backgrounds • Differences and Similarities in Jane and Alice’s interests http://www.roanestate.edu/owl/Com_Con.html

7. Introduction • Introduce Scout and _______________ • Example: “Scout Finch, of To Kill a Mockingbird, and Alice, of Alice in Wonderland, are both popular fictional heroines. “Jean Louise “Scout” Finch is a young girl who lives in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama during the Great Depression. While Scout is intelligent and brave, she is also very naïve. Similarly, Alice, of Alice in Wonderland, is a fictional character…" • Who are they? • How can we compare them? • List 3 points of comparison • Thesis: • A) List 3 points of comparison • B) What is the significance of this comparison? What does it tell us about Scout and __________?

8. Compare and Contrast Thesis • Sample thesis statement for contrast paper:  In terms of social networking sites, Facebook focuses on presenting your daily life to others, whereas MySpace allows you to focus more on demonstrating your personal style. (Do not simply contrast) • Sample thesis statement for compare/contrast paper:  While both Facebook and MySpace allow you to meet other users who have similar interests, only MySpace allows you to demonstrate your personal style.  (Compare & Contrast) http://www.roanestate.edu/owl/Com_Con.html

9. Example Thesis Statement “Formulas” Scout and _____ have similarities in _____, _____, _____. Although Scout and _____ have similar _____, they have different _____ and _____. Even though Scout and _____ have different _____, they have similar _____ and _____. Scout and _____ have similar _____; however, they differ in _____ and _____. Scout and _____are similar in their _____, _____,_____. The _____ of Scout and _____ are similar in the following areas: _____, _____, and _____.

10. So they’re alike and they’re different. So what? • A good paper will not simply offer a summary of themes, characters, or plot. Your job is to think about how these comparisons and contrasts create meaningful connections to a larger issue. • You must always make a larger argument about the meaning of the similarities and differences, and you must always support those arguments with specific examples from the work. http://www.enotes.com/topics/how-write-compare-contrast-essay http://www.enotes.com/topics/how-compare-two-characters

11. Why are you comparing these two specific characters? You want to examine the two characters and the work they come from until you can complete the following statements: • "These characters share the following characteristics: ___." "These characters differ in the following ways: ____." "These similarities and differences relate to the essential purposes in ____ because ____." http://www.enotes.com/topics/how-compare-two-characters

12. Create an effective thesis statement. • Again, you need to say why the comparison and contrast is worthy of note. Let’s say you want to compare and contrast the heroines of Pride and Prejudice and Jane Eyre. • Example Thesis: “Although Elizabeth Bennet and Jane Eyre are very different on the outside, their shared internal values connects them in literary history and in the fight for women’s rights.” • Now you have a reason for your efforts and a compelling case for your audience’s attention. http://www.enotes.com/topics/how-write-compare-contrast-essay

13. Topic Sentences • If you're writing about Pride and Prejudice, don't write something like, "Darcy is male, and Elizabeth is female." • Instead, write something like this: "Despite the fact that Darcy is male and rich and Elizabeth is female and relatively poor, they share the following characteristics: ____." • And then finish by supplying striking examples in a way that explains the novel for your readers. http://www.enotes.com/topics/how-compare-two-characters

14. Read the paragraph and decide what the main idea is and pick the best topic sentence. … It squatted in the clearing, so low that it did not seem to have been built for human beings. Rough gray stones covered the outside. The roof hung almost to the ground, and the front door and windows were in shadow. A thorny hedge surrounded it and made it impossible to reach the door knocker. • We had been lost in the wood for hours. • The house looked strange and unfriendly. • I was tired and wanted to rest.

15. Formal Writing • Follow directions and formatting (MLA) • Double spaced, Times New Roman, 12 point font, 1-inch margins • Spell out numbers (7-seven) • Italicize book titles • No personal pronouns (I, you, me, we, us…), slang words or contractions • SHOW don’t tell by using specific examples

16. Student Example Introduction: Alice Walker and Maya Angelou are two contemporary African-American writers.  Although almost a generation apart in age, both women display a remarkable similarity in their lives.  Each has written about her experiences growing up in the rural South, Ms. Walker through her essays and Ms. Angelou in her autobiographies.  Though they share similar backgrounds, each has a unique style which gives to us, the readers, the gift of their exquisite humanity, with all of its frailties and strengths, joys and sorrows. Shades of Being Human by Ella Berven http://www.roanestate.edu/owl/Shades.html

17. Student Example (edited) Introduction: McDonalds and Fox's Diner are two popular restaurants in Lake City, Tennessee. Even though they both sell hamburgers in the same town, they have little else in common. They cater to different types of customers, service speed, and the handling of business affairs. The differences in McDonalds and Fox’s Diner affect the atmospheres of the two restaurants. http://www.roanestate.edu/owl/Mac.html

18. MLA Heading

19. Resources • http://www.roanestate.edu/owl/Com_Con.html#q1 • http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/comparing-and-contrasting/