Compare/Contrast

DAY 1: THESIS & IN-TEXT CITATION

#1: Brainstorm

Brainstorm: Once you know your topic, you want to begin to brainstorm all that you know about each of the two topics. So, Brainstorm a list of similarities, and differences.

OLD FILM SIMILAR NEW FILM

#2:Writing Your Thesis

Thesis: Once you can look at the similarities and differences between the two places, you want to focus your argument; it should be specific. What’s wrong with these two examples?

• This research paper will compare and contrast the film by Baz Luhrman and the film by Franco Zeffereli.

• This research paper will compare film versions of the play Romeo and Juliet.

#3: Focusing Your ThesisFocus Your Argument: Specify what you will compare & contrast and include a the answer to the question “so what?” (Why are you comparing them!)

Both Baz Luhrman and Franco Zeffereli redid William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Zefferli did a better job of capturing Shakespeare’s story through his use of props and overall theme development.

Thesis: Better job capturing Shakespeare’s storyPreview: Props and theme development

Must Mention:Baz Luhrman – new versionFranco Zeffereli – old versionWilliam Shakespeare

#4: OrganizationOrganization: There are two ways to organize a compare/contrast paper: 1) Point by Point Method and 2) Block Method. Both are effective and help to set up the paper in an organized way.

Point by Point Compare/ContrastI. Introduction in which you state your purpose which is to

discuss differences between either the original play, the old film or the new film (pick 2)

II. First difference between play and new film is PROPSA. Old Film: Natural propsB. New Film: Guns for Props

III. Second difference between play and new film is THEMEA. Old Film: Loving too quicklyB. New Film: Good vs. Evil

IV. Conclusion

Block Compare/ContrastI. Introduction in which you state your purpose which is to

discuss the difference between either the original play, the old film or the new film (pick 2)

II. Old FilmA. Natural propsB. Theme: Loving too quickly

III. New FilmA. Gun propsB. Theme: Good vs. Evil

IV. Conclusion

Body Paragraph Format: BOTH STYLES!

Body Paragraphs must have:• Topic Sentence(It’s all about the thesis!) – Create a sentence that

reminds us of your thesis & mentions your 1st reason why• Concrete Detail (from 1 of your things): Something that proves . .. .. .

Your THESIS – CITE IT!• Commentary: Here you are explaining how that concrete detail

PROVES YOUR THESIS• Transition to 2nd body paragraph in section• Concrete Detail (From your 2nd thing): Something that shows how it is

similar or different to 1st concrete detail.• Commentary: Here you are explaining how that concrete detail

PROVES YOUR THESIS – Tie it all together!• Restate your TS: Restate your topic sentence in new words

In-Text Citation• Since there are many different editions of Shakespeare’s plays, it is

not helpful to use the normal citation style of author and page number inside a paper.

• Instead cite by divisions – in the case of the plays, list act, scene, and line numbers.

• Use regular, not Roman, numerals. • If you’re citing something in Act III, Scene 2, Lines 13-22, it would look

like this: (Romeo & Juliet 3.2.13-22)

ExamplesREMEMBER TO LEAD INTO YOUR QUOTE

Example #1: (Single Speaker) (If it gets to be MORE than 3 lines of quote, put it on the next line!)

Mercutio first admits this worry to himself, “Our fears in Banquo / Stick deep” (Macbeth 3.1.48-49) and

begins to plot murder.

Example #2: (Two or More Speakers) (DOUBLE INDENT & Put each speaker on their own line!

. . . dodges the questions:

                               

JAQUES. What stature is she of?

                                ORLANDO. Just as high as my heart. (As You Like It 3.2.285-86)

 

Example #3: (Monologue or Soliloquy) (DOUBLE INDENT)

...as in Ariel’s entrance:

                               “All hail, great Mafter, grace Sir, hail: I come

                                To swim, to dive into the fire: to ride

       

                         On the curled clouds: to thy strong bidding, task (Temptest 4.3.117-119)

Cue Words - Transitions

like, similar to, also, unlike, similarly, in the same way, likewise, again, compared to, in contrast, in like manner, contrasted with, on the contrary, however, although, yet, even though, still, but, nevertheless, conversely, at the same time, regardless, despite, while, on the one hand … on the other hand.

DAY 2: INTRO’S AND CONCLUSIONS

BIG NO-NO’S:These statements/words SHOULDN’T be in Papers

• I, we, you, etc. Prove it to us without telling us you’re going to.

• “This shows that. .” Think it – DON’T write it!• “Now I am going to show you”• “This paper will show that”

The Intro & ConclusionINTRODUCTION

• Attention Getter• Transition from AG (meaning explain why you

chose to use that AG and bring us to your thesis)• THESIS: the focus of your ENTIRE paper• Preview: List the way you’ll prove your thesis

Conclusion• Transition Out of Paper• Restate Thesis and Preview• Leave your reader thinking about

your topic

Reminders

1) You should ALWAYS underline titles of plays and movies!!!!2) You need to in your intro mention the main men:

1) William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet2) Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet

3) Franco Zeffirelli’s Romeo & JulietYou will FOR SURE mention Shakespeare – the other two depend on

what you’re writing about!

Transition Words

like, similar to, also, unlike, similarly, in the same way, likewise, again, compared to, in contrast, in like manner, contrasted with, on the contrary, however, although, yet, even though, still, but, nevertheless, conversely, at the same time, regardless, despite, while, on the one hand … on the other hand.

DAY 3: WORKS CITED & MLA REMINDERS

MLA Reminders Your paper should • Be double spaced• Have 1” margins• Be ALL time Times New Roman, size 12• Have a title• Have a header w/lastname pg.# in Times New Roman, size 12• Have paper information:

NameTeacherHour: Class 12 January 2011

Works Cited• Should be a continuation of your paper: should contain the header, be in

Times New Roman, size 12 and should be double spaced evenly.• It should be reverse indented – meaning the second the line should be

indented, not the first• Alphabetical order

Works Cited

An Inconvenient Truth. Dir. Davis Guggenheim. Perf. Al Gore, Billy West.

Paramount, 2006. DVD.

"Blueprint Lays Out Clear Path for Climate Action." Environmental Defense Fund.

Environmental Defense Fund, 8 May 2007. Web. 24 May 2009.

Clinton, Bill. Interview by Andrew C. Revkin. “Clinton on Climate Change.” New

York Times. New York Times, May 2007. Web. 25 May 2009.

How to Format a Film

The Nightmare Before Christmas. Dir. Tim Burton. Perf. Johnny

Depp, Martin Landau, Sarah Jessica Parker, Patricia

Arquette. Touchstone, 1994. DVD.

Film Title. Dir. (Director Name). Perf. (Big Actors/Actresses in

it). Company Producing Film. Year Produced. DVD.