Writing theWriting theComparison &Comparison &

ContrastContrastEssayEssay

Choose one of the following essay topics: Choose one of the following essay topics:

–Shopping at a mall and Shopping at a mall and shopping online shopping online

–Your mother's or father's Your mother's or father's childhood and your own childhood and your own

–Two petsTwo pets

Write a list of at least 10 Write a list of at least 10 brainstormed ideas about brainstormed ideas about your topic statement making your topic statement making sure to think of examples sure to think of examples that are both similar that are both similar (comparisons) and different (comparisons) and different (contrasts). (contrasts).

For example, if the thesis were "My two For example, if the thesis were "My two grandfathers," you might brainstorm a list grandfathers," you might brainstorm a list that looked like this: that looked like this: – both were born in the country both were born in the country – both had false teeth both had false teeth – one had three daughters and the other had three one had three daughters and the other had three

sons sons – one was a farmer while the other was salesman one was a farmer while the other was salesman – both smoked cigars both smoked cigars – both came from big families both came from big families – one drove Chevy trucks and the other drove Ford one drove Chevy trucks and the other drove Ford

trucks trucks – one was from out West while the other was from one was from out West while the other was from

the South the South – one loved to hunt while the other loved to fish one loved to hunt while the other loved to fish – one was big and muscular and the other was one was big and muscular and the other was

small and wirysmall and wiry

Organize these ideas into Organize these ideas into at least three paragraph at least three paragraph groups. groups.

For example, you can organize these ideas in this For example, you can organize these ideas in this way: way:

Family life Family life – one had three daughters and the other had three sons one had three daughters and the other had three sons – both came from big families both came from big families

Things they liked Things they liked – both smoked cigars both smoked cigars – one drove Chevy trucks and the other drove Ford trucks one drove Chevy trucks and the other drove Ford trucks – one loved to hunt while the other loved to fish one loved to hunt while the other loved to fish

Background Background – both were born in the country both were born in the country – one was a farmer while the other was salesman one was a farmer while the other was salesman – one was from out West while the other was from the South one was from out West while the other was from the South

Physical characteristics Physical characteristics – one was big and muscular and the other was small and wiry one was big and muscular and the other was small and wiry – both had false teeth both had false teeth

Choose an organization Choose an organization for your essay: either by for your essay: either by subject or by point.subject or by point.

By SubjectBy Subject Introduction Introduction Grandpa #1 Grandpa #1

– Background Background – Family life Family life – Physical characteristics Physical characteristics – Things he liked Things he liked

Grandpa #2 Grandpa #2 – Background Background – Family life Family life – Physical characteristics Physical characteristics – Things he liked Things he liked

Conclusion Conclusion

By PointBy Point Introduction Introduction Background Background

– Grandpa #1 Grandpa #1 – Grandpa #2 Grandpa #2

Family Life Family Life – Grandpa #1 Grandpa #1 – Grandpa #2 Grandpa #2

Physical characteristics Physical characteristics – Grandpa #1 Grandpa #1 – Grandpa #2 Grandpa #2

Things they liked Things they liked – Grandpa #1 Grandpa #1 – Grandpa #2 Grandpa #2

Conclusion Conclusion

Write three possible thesis statements Write three possible thesis statements for your organized list. Be sure each is for your organized list. Be sure each is a complete sentence, includes a a complete sentence, includes a controlling idea, is specific. controlling idea, is specific.

Write a topic sentence and organize (and Write a topic sentence and organize (and add, if necessary) at least three specific add, if necessary) at least three specific details for your first paragraph group. details for your first paragraph group.

Write a topic sentence and organize (and Write a topic sentence and organize (and add, if necessary) at least three specific add, if necessary) at least three specific details for your second paragraph group. details for your second paragraph group.

Write a topic sentence and organize (and Write a topic sentence and organize (and add, if necessary) at least three specific add, if necessary) at least three specific details for your third paragraph group. details for your third paragraph group.

Write a topic sentence and organize (and Write a topic sentence and organize (and add, if necessary) at least three specific add, if necessary) at least three specific details for any other paragraph groups. details for any other paragraph groups.

Organize the thesis statement along Organize the thesis statement along with the topic sentences and events with the topic sentences and events and details you have chosen for each and details you have chosen for each paragraph into an outline or plan (as paragraph into an outline or plan (as shown above in step #3). shown above in step #3).

Choose at type of order (time, space, or Choose at type of order (time, space, or order of importance) and revise the order of importance) and revise the outline or plan to reflect the ordering. outline or plan to reflect the ordering.

Write a first draft of the essay, paying Write a first draft of the essay, paying particular attention to transitions in and particular attention to transitions in and between the paragraphs (use the between the paragraphs (use the examples from the boxes on page examples from the boxes on page 120). 120).

After going back and rereading your After going back and rereading your first draft for organization and clarity, first draft for organization and clarity, proofread for grammar and spelling proofread for grammar and spelling errors. errors.