write a compare and contrast essay eng 153 november 14 2013

8/14/2019 write a compare and contrast essay eng 153 november 14 2013

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ENG 153PROFESSOR HAYDEE CRUZ RIVERA

Write a Compare andContrast Essay


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Purpose of a Compare and Contrast essay

* The purpose of a compare and contrast essayis to analyze the differences and/or thesimilarities of two distinct subjects.

* Once you pick two subjects that can becompared and contrasted in a meaningful way,then you can begin to formulate your thesisand work out the organization of your paper.


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Steps for writing a Compare and Contrast Essay

If you want to write a thoughtful and convincingcomparison and contrast essay, just follow these steps.

1- The first step to writing a successful compare andcontrast essay is to pick two subjects that aredifferent enough to be contrasted, but similarenough to be compared.

* This means that the subjects aren't so differentthat you can't find a thing they have in common(such as cats and dogs) or that they shouldn't beso similar (like two very similar soft drinks) that you don't have much to say about theirdifferences.


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Topics to consider as you pick your twosubjects

*The careers of two different athletes*The quality of two different restaurants*Two movies*Two novels*Two weight-loss programs

*Two cities*Two historical periods*Two events


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Steps for writing a Compare andContrast Essay (CONT.)

2- Do your research to make a list of all of the ways the two subjects are similar and different.

* Once you've picked your two subjects, you'll need to do your research tofigure out exactly how much they

have in common and how differentthey really are.


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Venn Diagram

* Make a Venn Diagram of the two subjects and write the similarities in the part of theintersecting circles, while writing the

differences in the parts of each subject's circlethat does not intersect with other.

* This will require you to consult your sources, brainstorm, and analyze the two subjects on adeeper level.


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Venn Diagram

A Venn diagram is a great tool for brainstormingand creating a comparison between two or moreobjects, events, or people.

You can start with a Venn diagram as a first stepto creating an outline for a compare and contrastessay.


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Venn Diagram

Simply draw two (or three) large circles and give each circlea title, reflecting each person or object you are comparing.

Inside the intersection of the two circles (overlapping area) write all the traits that the objects have in common. You will refer to these traits when you compare similarcharacteristics.

In the areas outside the overlapping section you will writeall of the traits that are specific to that particular object orperson.


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Example of Venn Diagram


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Creating an Outline for Your EssayFrom the Venn diagram above, you can create an easy outline for yourpaper. Here is the beginning of an essay outline:I. Both dogs and cats make great pets.

Both animals can be very entertainingEach is loving in its own wayEach can live inside or outside the house

II. Both have drawbacks, as well They shedThey can damage propertyBoth can be costlyBoth require time and attention

III. Cats can be easier to care forCat box

Leaving for a dayIV. Dogs can be better companionsGoing to the parkGoing for walks Will enjoy my company


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Steps for writing a Compare and ContrastEssay (CONT.)

3- Once you've made your list, think about themost ''meaningful'' differences and similarities. If you're comparing "To Kill a Mockingbird" and"The Great Gatsby," you may find that oneauthor was male and one was female, but there'sonly so much you can say about that; instead, dig

deeper into the themes that are worth exploring.* For example, you can argue that both books

explore the theme of loss of innocence.


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4- Write your thesis statement.* Your thesis statement will be the one

sentence that tells your readers how thesubjects are similar or different and whythis is an important comparison to make.Ideally, your thesis should focus on ''three

points of comparison,'' so that you have threedistinct differences or similarities todiscuss.


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strategies for the comparison and contrast essay:

*Show readers why one subject is more desirablethan the other. Example: "Cats are betterpets than dogs because they require lessmaintenance, are more independent, andare more adaptable.

*Help readers make a meaningful comparison between two subjects. Example: "New YorkCity and San Francisco are both greatcities for young professionals but theydiffer in terms of their job opportunities,

social environment, and living"


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xamp es o s rong es s s a emen s anstrategies for the comparison and contrast

essay (CONT.)

*Show readers how two subjects are similar ''and''different. Example: "While both ''The Catcher

in the Rye'' and ''To Kill a Mockingbird''explore the themes of loss of innocence andthe deep bond between siblings, ''To Kill aMockingbird'' is more concerned withracism while ''The Catcher in the Rye''focuses on the prejudices of class."


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5- Outline your essay* Outlining your essay will help you workout the main organizational structure and will give you a template to follow as youdevelop your ideas.

* Your compare and contrast essay shouldhave the following organizational structure


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Outline

I- Introduction''' Presents the basic information about thesubjects to be compared and contrasted

Provides a thesis argument and 3 points ofcomparison that will be elaborated in the bodyof your essay.

Points of comparison are the smallerarguments that help you develop your mainargument.


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Outline (CONT.)

II- Body Paragraphs*This is the meat of your essay. Eachdifferent section or body paragraph shouldtackle a different division of proof. It shouldprovide and analyze evidence in order toconnect those proofs to your thesis andsupport your thesis. * You have to decide whether you'll be organizing your essay with three body paragraphs (using point- by-point organization) or with two body

paragraphs (using whole-to- whole

comparison).


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Outline (CONT.) III- Conclusion'''* Summary of the evidence presented* Restatement of the thesis* Organize your body paragraphs based on point-by-pointcomparison. This is the more common method used in thecomparison and contrast essay. Let's say you're working with the following statement: "When deciding between whether to go camping in the woods or spend a day at the beach, one should consider the following points: the

weather, the types of activities each location offers, and thefacilities at each location." In this case, you will write oneparagraph describing the weather in both the woods andthe beach, one paragraph describing the activities in eachlocation, and a third describing the facilities in both.


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Here's how the essay would look:

Introduction: state your intent to discussthe differences between camping in the woodsor on the beach.

Body Paragraph 1: Discuss first difference between woods and beaches: climate/weather.

Woods Beach


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Here's how the essay would look: (CONT.)

Body Paragraph 2 : Discuss seconddifference between woods and beaches: types

of activities. Woods Beach

Body Paragraph 3 : Discuss third difference

between woods and beaches: availablefacilities. Woods Beach

Conclusion


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I- IntroductionII- Body Paragraph 1/Subject 1: Woods

A- Climate/WeatherB- Types of ActivitiesC- Available Facilities

III- Body Paragraph 2/Subject 2: Beach A- Climate/WeatherB- Types of Activities

C- Available FacilitiesIV- Conclusion


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HOMEWORK Write a Comparative Essay

(FREE TOPIC)

Include the outline

Due in November 21, 2013


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REFERENCE

http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/comparing-and-contrasting/

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and Contrast Essay Step 5.jpg|center|550px]]

write a compare and contrast essay eng 153 november 14 2013

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