compare and contrast essay compare and contrast essays show the similarities and differences between...

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Compare and Contrast Essay Compare and Contrast essays show the similarities and differences between two subjects. The purpose of the compare and contrast essay: To inform To explain To analyze To evaluate

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Compare and ContrastEssay

Compare and Contrast essays show the similarities and differences between two subjects. The purpose of the compare and contrast essay:• To inform• To explain• To analyze• To evaluate

Searching points for discussion

• Determine your emphasis on similarities, differences, or both.

• Determine the major focus of your paper.

• Make sure you treat the same or similar elements for each subject you will discuss:

Star Trek Star Wars

Major characters

Major characters

Minor characters

Minor characters

themes themes

Do not discuss entirely different elements for each subject.

Star Trek Star Wars

Major Characters

Plot

Minor Characters

Actor’s Life

Themes Symbolism

Introduction/Thesis

• Identify not only the topics to be compared and contrasted in your essay, but the point you will make about them.

• Also indicate whether you will focus on similarities or differences, or balance the two.

• “Although Star Trek and Star Wars are both science fiction, the major characters, minor characters, and themes of Star Wars provide greater plot complexity.”

OrganizationThere are three basic formats for the compare and

contrast essay:

1. Topic One, Topic TwoThis organizational pattern you say everything there is to say about one topic and then everything there is to say about topic two. Both topics follow a similar pattern.

2. Point by PointThis organizational pattern blends the two topics together in a very orderly fashion.

3. Similarities and DifferencesThis is a variation on Point by Point – all the similarities are grouped together, followed by all the differences, or vice versa

Topic One, Topic Two

• Write a about each topic separately, but you discuss the same points for both topics.

• Use basis for comparison to guide your selection of points.

• Arrange points in logical order, usually order of importance.

• Good for short, uncomplicated papers.

Topic One, Topic Two

• Introduction• Subject A Star Trek

– Item 1 Format– Item 2 Fictional Setting– Item 3 Science fiction

trappings• Subject B Star Wars

– Item 1 Format– Item 2 Fictional Setting– Item 3 Science fiction

trappings

• Conclusion

Point by Point

• 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.

Point by Point

• Introduction• Feature 1 Format

– Subject A Star Trek– Subject B Star Wars

• Feature 2 Fictional Setting– Subject A Star Trek– Subject B Star Wars

• Feature 3 Science-fiction trappings– Subject A Star Trek– Subject B Star Wars

• Conclusion

Similarities and Differences

• This is a variation on Point by Point – a more specific way of organizing the points themselves.

• This organization works when two topics have very definite things in common that are important to point out, but also some equally important differences.

• All the similarities are grouped together, followed by all the differences, or vice versa.

Similarities and Differences

• Introduction • Star Trek and Star Wars Similarities

– Faster than light-speed travel– Space battles– Many human hospitable planets– Alien races and humans interacting– Epic themes of good and evil

• Star Trek and Star Wars Differences– Setting and time period– Types of battles/spaceships– Forms of government– Format (TV versus movies)– Themes

• Conclusion

Ideas for essaysCompare and Contrast…

two of your friendstwo of your teachersMiddle School and Elementary Schooltwo holidaysPlaystation 3 and WiiPC and Mactwo football teamsyour mom and dadschool lunches and bringing your owntwo moviesCerritos and another place you have livedany two places you have livedtwo seasonsQuiznos and Subway