Comparison and Contrast Essay

General Overview

• Builds upon Narration: Leader, Thesis, Overt, Covert, Subject, Topic, Topic Sentences, Minors, Transitions, One thought told in X number of sentences, and Patterns.

• In this essay you will C/C two people of your choosing.

• You will compare two shared values, two shared interests, and two shared lessons that they have taught you.

• You will contrast these topics by proving how they exemplify them differently.

• You get more wiggle room (and the crowd cheers)

Examples Used in the Past

• Mother/Father• Birth/Step Parent of same gender• Brother/Sister• BFF/BFF• Grandparent/Grandparent of same gender• Two characters from same text and/or

movie*• Two historical icons*

A.U.P.O.D.

• Favor one over the other• Identify a teacher/instructor• Two people from different time frames. • Identify a criminal activity• Something that you know would be

embarrassing or uncomfortable if other connected parties knew you shared

• You as one of the subjects• Music or Sports

For Homework

• 2 Subjects• Make a list of :

– 10 values, – 10 interests, – 10 lessons that they have taught you.

• (If you do not do this, if you skip this step, you will be in trouble by the middle of next week.)

Constructing a Linear Essay

Interests, Values, Lessons

Introduction

Conclusion

Lessons

Interests vs. Values

• Think of an “interest” as a hobby. This is a tangible concept. This is something that s/he does. Both must be either positive or negative.

• Think of a “value” as something that s/he believes in. This is an intangible concept. Both must be either positive or negative.

Lessons

• Your two subjects will have taught you two lessons.

• Each must have taught you the same lesson

• Both must be either positive or negative.

• Interests:– Reading, camping, dancing, adrenaline

junkie, gambling

• Values:– Life, freedom, faith, beauty, selfishness,

power

• Lessons:– Discipline, patience, confidence, to hate, to

fear

Constructing a Linear Paragraph

And why Plan A doesn’t work

1. Topic Sentence● Minor

4-6 sentences for sups ● Minor

4-6 sentences for sups14/16. Transition

REMEMBER, YOUR FIRST MINOR MUST BE THE SECOND SENTENCE

Organization vs. Development

• Organization is where you compare your subjects.* (This is your outline)

• Development is where you contrast your subjects. (This is your RD)

• YOU CANNOT COMBINE THE TWO!

Organization

• Topic Sentences have both comparison and contrast because ____________.

• Jack and Jill both share similar values, but how they express them are very different.

• Minors only include the similarities and must be presented in the correct order.

• First of all, both Jack and Jill understand the value of life.

Development

• Your supporting sentences are where you explain the contrasts

• Jack expresses his love for all life every day he goes to work. As a vet, . . . . On the other hand, Jill, a heart surgeon, . . . .

Patterns, Patterns, and More Patterns

Reasons Why You Hate Me

• 1st Pattern: Names

• 2nd Pattern: Overt vs Covert

• 3rd Pattern: Positive or Negative

• 4th Pattern: Public vs. Private Sphere

1st Pattern: Names

• T.S. Bob and Tom– Minor B, T

• B• T

– Minor T, B• T• B

2nd Pattern: Overt vs. Covert

• 2nd Paragraph: O• 3rd Paragraph: O• 4th Paragraph: O

• 2nd Paragraph: C• 3rd Paragraph: C• 4th Paragraph: C

• 2nd Paragraph: O• 3rd Paragraph: C• 4th Paragraph: O

• 2nd Paragraph: C• 3rd Paragraph: O• 4th Paragraph: C

3rd Pattern: Positive or Negative• 2nd Paragraph:

– Topic P– Topic P

• 3rd Paragraph:– Topic P– Topic P

• 4th Paragraph:– Topic P– Topic P

• 2nd Paragraph:– Topic N– Topic N

• 3rd Paragraph:– Topic N– Topic N

• 4th Paragraph:– Topic N– Topic N

• 2nd Paragraph:– Topic P– Topic P

• 3rd Paragraph:– Topic N– Topic N

• 4th Paragraph:– Topic P– Topic P

• 2nd Paragraph:– Topic N– Topic N

• 3rd Paragraph:– Topic P– Topic P

• 4th Paragraph:– Topic N– Topic N

4th Pattern: Public vs Private Spheres

Basic (For Most Students)• 1st Topic: Private• 2nd Topic: Private• 1st Topic: Public• 2nd Topic: Public

Basic (For Most Students)• 1st Topic: Public• 2nd Topic: Public• 1st Topic: Private• 2nd Topic: Private

Complex (Advanced)• 1st Subj.: Public• 2nd Subj.: Private• 1st Subj.: Private• 2nd Subj.: Public

Complex (Advanced)• 1st Subj.: Private• 2nd Subj.: Public• 1st Subj.: Public• 2nd Subj.: Private

Comparison / Contrast Essay

Leader, Thesis, Topic Sentences

Simple Leaders

• Must be a quote and have parenthetical citation.

• A quote = one sentence

• Is one of three sentences that must be grammatically pristine.

• Should grab your reader’s attention and be engaging.

• Think of them as a handshake.

Examples of Leaders• “It is a well-documented fact that guys will not ask for directions. This is a biological

thing. This is why it takes several million sperm cells... to locate a female egg, despite the fact that the egg is, relative to them, the size of Wisconsin” (Barry 1).

• “Never under any circumstances take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night” (Barry 1).

• "I am" is reportedly the shortest sentence in the English language. Could it be that "I do" is the longest sentence?” (Carlin 1).

• “Even very young children need to be informed about dying. Explain the concept of death very carefully to your child. This will make threatening him with it much more effective” (O’Rourke 1).

• “An eye for an eye only makes the whole world go blind” (Gandi 1).

• “It's one of nature's way that we often feel closer to distant generations than to the generation immediately preceding us” (Stravinsky 1).

Thesis

• A thesis is one sentence long.• It must be the last sentence in the introductory

paragraph.• It is a claim – something that the reader must

prove in the essay.• It tells the reader what the essay is about.• Is the second of three sentences that must be

grammatically pristine.• Can NEVER be a question.• A.U.P.O.D.: speech format

Thesis Cont.

• It must identify the subjects, the topic(s), and the type of essay.

• It must identify both subjects by first and last name.

NSG Covert vs. Overt Thesi

• Covert: – My two best friends, Jake **** and Nick ****, have

much in common yet are still very different.

• Overt: – My neighbors Michael and Matt **** have many things

in common like their interests, values, and the lessons that they have taught me, but the ways in which they portray these things are nothing alike.

Topic Sentences

• A topic sentence is a mini thesis.• Overt vs. covert still applies.• Must maintain a pattern.• One sentence long.• Must be the first sentence in the body paragraph.• Must include the subjects, topic(s), and type of essay.• Can NEVER be a question.• Can NEVER be a quote.• Need only first names – Note A.U.P.O.D. titles

Good Covert vs. Overt

• Covert:– Jake and Nick both share some of the same

values, but portray them in different ways.

• Overt:– Both Michael and Matt value perfection and

respect, but not in the same ways.

Comparison / Contrast Essay

Sups

Sups

• Narration taught one thought in 2-3 sentences.

• C/C teaches one thought in 4-6 sentences AND forces you to write longer sentences.

Good Examples of Interest Sups

• First of all, both Michelle and Shannon have had life long love affairs with flowers. Oftentimes, Michelle would spend several hours of her day doing nothing but taking photographs of flowers. No matter the location, be it wild flowers in a field or potted plants on a windowsill, she would be there taking her photos to show her art to the world. On the other hand, Shannon loved to grow them; she had an eternal green thumb and she could not kill a plant even if she turned all the lights off and never gave it water. With little effort and careful nurturing, Shannon could bring any flower to life; ultimately, wanting to grow all the plants in the world.

Good Example of Values Sups

• As extensions of their strong belief in responsibility, both John and Gail hold honesty in high regard. Last year, John was asked to testify against another police officer who was accused of trafficking illegal drugs. Although the other officer was a close friend, John knew that he was guilty and agreed to help bring him to justice. And when Gail was a teenager, she made the bad decision one night to go out with some less than honorable classmates, where she ended up getting drunk. However, instead of hiding this from her parents, she confessed to them what she had done, even though it led to punishment.

NSG Examples of Lesson Sups

• Further, Jake and Nick are excellent motivations to become more easygoing. The other day, Jake got in a fight with his girlfriend and escalated it the point of a complete meltdown. He was surprised that, instead of her saying sorry and agreeing with his point, she dumped him. On the other hand, earlier this year and at our first speech tournament, Nick walked up on stage completely relaxed and with a smile on his face. His speech was exceptional and he easily won the round.

A.U.P.O.D.

• No quotes in sups.

• You don’t belong here, peresay. Do not use you or personal examples of you in your sups.

• You can’t use the same example twice.

Comparison / Contrast Essay

Introduction and Conclusion

What’s the Difference Between an A and a B?

• Have you ever observed two different people to see how they differ or are the same? Comparing people can be very interesting, because they can be so alike yet so different. Take Matt and Bob, for example. Matt can be a very funny person when he wants to be. He can also be the worst person to hang out with if he is upset. Bob, on the other hand, is kind to most people. Bob loves to go out and just have a good ‘ol time. Comparing and contrasting Matt *** and Bob *** on their interests, values, and the lessons that they taught me show that two people can be very different but still be friends.

What’s the Difference Between an A and a B?

• In the Marvel universe, superheroes run rampant as they defeat the villain, catch bullets in their teeth, and save the universe. In the real world, superheroes don’t save the damsel in distress, don’t save the busload of children, and furthermore, don’t exist. But since it’s more fun to think outside the box, let’s imagine that they do exist, and that the two of them are adversaries. One man, powers given to him by chance, takes his massive responsibility in stride. He works toward the good of man, and the comfort of the masses. The other gained his gift through direct action of the man he hates. He uses his newfound strength for himself and no one else. These two supermen are none other than Peter Parker and Eddie Brock, more commonly referred to as Spider-Man and Venom, two men who’s interests, values, and their lessons differ from each other as much as oil and water.

Good Examples Cont.• “The happiest moments of my life have been the few which I have passed at

home in the bosom of my family” (Jefferson 1). Like Thomas Jefferson, I can truly say that the happiest moments of my life have been those spent with my family, and these moments have been caused by two paragons in my life. In a small town in southeastern Idaho, sun, love, potatoes, religion, and a family with seven children have proven to be the ingredients for the creation of an upstanding, caring, and accountable person. A nominee for the Best Father of the Year award and winner of the Number One Dad award, my father has obviously gained all the traits needed for the perfect dad. Next in the story, as every good story teller knows, would be an epic woman for this epic man. In the city of Bellevue, a small goddess was created with power to match my father’s. With the right set of traits to offset and then enhance my dad’s, my mom was the only possible match. In a twist and clash of fates, these powers met, and would leave the world forever-changed. Steve *** and Sherry ***, my parents, both have many similar quality interests and values, and have taught me innumerable lessons, although they have done so in different ways.

Good Example of Conclusion

• All in all Jim and Karen have so much in common, but still find ways to keep their separate identities within their relationship. It’s no wonder they have such a great relationship. Before this paper I often found myself thinking about what makes a great relationship stay great. I have now found the answer; enjoy your own life just as much as your life with your spouse. For if you value one more than the other you become too selfish or too selfless in the relationship. Balance is the key to staying in love and finding your happily ever after. So despite their differences Jim and Karen find their balance in their similarities and through their love for each other, making it easy to have a perfect relationship.

“That’s All Folks!”