Exploring similarities and differences . . .

2. Comparison-and-Contrast Essay Exploring similarities and differences . . . From Reading to Writing The story “The Beginning of Something” and the poem “Hanging Fire” are told from the first-person point of view and deal with the pain and the challenges of growing up. Their tone, form, and themes differ greatly, however.

3. Comparison-and-Contrast Essay Exploring similarities and differences . . . Comparing these two pieces—or two other related works—can help you understand each better. One way to explore such similarities and differences is by writing a comparison-and-contrast essay.

4. B a s i c s i n a B o x Comparison-and-Contrast Essay at a Glance Body Introduction Conclusion Restates the main idea or draws a conclusion Subject A Only Subject B Only Both Subjects • Identifies the subjects being compared • Tells the purpose for the comparison Explains similarities and differences RUBRIC Standards for Writing A successful comparison-and-contrast essay should • identify the subjects being compared • establish a clear purpose for the comparison • include both similarities and differences and support them with specific examples and details • follow a clear organizational pattern • use transitional words and phrases to make the relationships among ideas clear • summarize the comparison in the conclusion

5. Prewriting 1 Writing Your Comparison-and-Contrast Essay Gather topic ideas for your essay by brainstorming reasons why you might compare two things. Ask yourself: • Do you have to make a choice or decision? • Do you want to prove that one product or idea is better than another? • Do you need to understand how two subjects are related?

6. Planning Your Comparison-and-Contrast Essay 1. Explore the similarities and differences of your subject. What are their most important features? Which ones do they share? Which ones are unique? Making a Venn diagram can help you sort out your ideas. If you can’t identify several major features, choose two other subjects to compare. 2. Decide which features to compare and contrast. Think about the point you are trying to make in your essay. Focus on the similarities and differences that will help you make this point.

7. Feature 1 Subject A Subject A Subject-by-Subject Feature-by-Feature Feature 2 Subject B Subject B Feature 1 Feature 2 Subject A Feature 1 Subject B Feature 2 Planning Your Comparison-and-Contrast Essay 3. Choose an organizational pattern. There are two basic ways to organize your comparison-and-contrast essay: subject-by-subject or feature-by-feature. You might want to try each organizational pattern before deciding which works better for your subject. You might also discuss all your subjects’ similarities first and then their differences, or the other way around.

8. Drafting 2 Writing Your Comparison-and-Contrast Essay Begin by simply getting your thoughts on paper. You can revise them later. You might start by identifying the subjects you are comparing. As you write your draft, • Tell what features your essay will compare and contrast. • Support the comparisons you make with specific details and examples.

9. Drafting 2 Writing Your Comparison-and-Contrast Essay • Use transitional words to show similarities and differences between ideas. • End with a conclusion that summarizes your main points.

10. Revising 3 Writing Your Comparison-and-Contrast Essay Target Skill TRANSITIONS In a comparison-and-contrast essay, use transitions to show the logical connections between ideas. Transitions that show comparisons include in the same way, also, both,and similarly. Transitions that show contrast include yet, while, on the other hand, in contrast, and however.

11. Editing and Proofreading 4 Writing Your Comparison-and-Contrast Essay Target Skill PARALLELISM Keeping similar ideas parallel will help you to present your ideas clearly and logically. Parts of a sentence that serve a similar function should be parallel in structure.