Comparison/ContrastComparison/ContrastExploring Exploring

And And ANALYZING ANALYZING

Similarities and Differences Similarities and Differences in Lifein Life

Georgia Performance Standards: Georgia Performance Standards: Advanced CompositionAdvanced Composition

Advanced Composition focuses on the writing process (planning, drafting, and revising). The

students will focus on different modes of discourse: narrative, descriptive, exemplification,

process analysis, cause and effect, compare and contrast, classification and division, definition, and argumentation. Advanced

grammar skills will be a major component of this class. An emphasis on research is also required.

Georgia Performance Standards: Georgia Performance Standards: Advanced CompositionAdvanced Composition

The student writes comparison and contrasts.Specifically, the student

a. Constructs a thesis/topic sentence that tells readers what to expect in the piece, identifying not only

the subjects to be compared and contrasted, but also the point to be made.

b. Uses subject-by-subject or point-by-point comparisons.c. Uses transitions and transitional paragraphs that connect

one part of an essay to another.•  

COMPARISON and CONTRAST UNIT COMPARISON and CONTRAST UNIT

 Essential Questions:

How does comparison/contrast "work" as rhetorical mode?

How do we use comparison/contrast in our daily lives?

Will structure/organization make our comparisons more persuasive?

Trying the Method of Trying the Method of Comparison / Contrast:Comparison / Contrast:

Write two brief paragraphs: 1. Compare an apple and a banana.2. Contrast a lemon and an orange.

3. List and explain three ways you used Comparison / Contrast last weekend—

For example:1. Shopping2. Sports3. Restaurants

Comparison and Contrast: Comparison and Contrast: DefinitionsDefinitions

• Two thought processes we constantly perform in everyday life.

• Compare: show how things/ideas/people are similar

• Contrast: show how they are different. • The purpose of comparing or contrasting is

to understand each of the two things more clearly and, at times, to make judgments about them.

Trying the Method: Venn DiagramsTrying the Method: Venn DiagramsChoose one topic or one of your own.Choose one topic or one of your own.

• Two relatives

• Two cars/trucks

• Contact lenses or glasses

• Two towns or cities

• Nature in the city vs. in the country

• Living in the city vs. living in the country

• The works of two artists or writers

• Two jobs you have held

• Two experiences with discrimination

• A good and bad job interview (or job)

• Your relationships with two friends

• Two candidates for a public office

VENN DIAGRAMVENN DIAGRAM

Choosing Topics:Choosing Topics:Writing a Comparison Writing a Comparison with a Purpose in Mindwith a Purpose in Mind

• The purpose of writing a comparison/contrast is not to randomly compare and contrast interesting details from two texts.

• In other words, what do you want to SHOW?• What is the overall purpose that your

comparison/contrast will serve?• So….What? What is important or VALID?

Using Comparison/ContrastUsing Comparison/Contrast

1. Choose a subject

2. Make a list of– Points of Similarity– Points of Difference

Organizing and Drafting a Organizing and Drafting a ComparisonComparison

Two basic patterns for organization:

• block or • alternating.The paper may deal with similarities,

differences, or some combination of them.

OUTLINING: Two TypesOUTLINING: Two Types

A. The Block Pattern, or “One Side at a Time”:

• The block pattern first presents all of the points of comparison/contrast for one item and then all the points of comparison/contrast for the other.

Introduction: Thesis: Although the two diets can result in similarly rapid weight

loss, Dr. Phil McGraw’s diet requires much more self-discipline and is nutritionally much riskier than Weight Watchers.

First Block:Dr. Phil’s Diet*First Point: Speed of weight loss

Transition*Second Point: Required self-discipline

Transition*Third Point: Nutritional riskTransition to ….Second Block:Weight Watchers*First Corr’ing Point: Speed of weight loss

Transition*Second Corr’ing Point: Required self-discipline

Transition*Third Corr’ing Point: Nutritional risk Conclusion:

OUTLINING: Two TypesOUTLINING: Two Types

B. The Alternating Pattern, or “Point by Point”:

• This pattern presents a point about one item, then follows immediately with a corresponding point about the other to show similarity or contrast.

Introduction: Thesis: The two diets can result in similarly rapid

weight loss, but Dr. Phil McGraw’s diet requires much more self-discipline and is nutritionally much riskier than Weight Watchers.

Dr. Phil’s Diet: Point #1Transition:

Weight Watchers: Point #1Transition:

Dr. Phil’s Diet: Point #2Transition:

Weight Watchers: Point #2Transition:

Dr. Phil’s Diet: Point #3Transition:

Weight Watchers: Point #3Conclusion:

Writing a Comparison/Contrast:Writing a Comparison/Contrast:Selecting DetailsSelecting Details

• Do all the details relate to my purpose?

• Do any new details come to mind?

• In what order should I organize the details?

Assignments This/Next week….Assignments This/Next week….• Read pp. 202-208 in 40 Model Essays • Read this Power Point• Read C/C packet and do activities• Read/ Write Comparison / Contrast Paragraphs• Look up C/C Websites• Read Essays and Do Comparisons (next slide)• Do Comparison and Contrast Handouts (steps

1-4)—work toward writing the Essay• Write Essay Assignment – Choices of topics: Choices of topics:

– Pages 232-3 in 40 Model Essays – C/C Handouts…– Your choice (check with Dr. Bagby)

Read and Outline, Table or Venn:Read and Outline, Table or Venn:Set up categories of comparisonSet up categories of comparison

Decide: Does the author use Block or Decide: Does the author use Block or Alternating?Alternating?

• GROUPS– Britt, p. 209– Catton, p. 209– Tannen, p. 155– Rodriguez, p. 224– Student Samples (Net Op)

GRADE SCALE for Comparison….GRADE SCALE for Comparison….

• Coherence (25)– Clear Organization according to assignments– Transitions

• Unity (25)– Topic sentences/Thesis– Each side or block is distinct

• no bleeding

• Support (25)– Evidence– Concrete details to support

• Sentence skills (25)– Major errors / BE verbs– Your Boo-boos (Errors you make consistently)!