Comparison and

Contrast

What is the Purpose?

•  To show the similarities between at least two things (compare)

and/or •  To show the difference

between two things (contrast)

•  To inform

•  To explain

•  To analyze

•  To evaluate

Pre-writing •  Chart: What criterion can we use for comparison

and contrast of Athena? Ex. Motivation

Criteria 1

Athena in “Arachne”

Athena in “Athene’s City”

Possible Strategy: Venn Diagram

Alike

Writing a Thesis Statement

• Review your data • Decide to what extent you will stress the

similarities between your subjects and to what extent you will stress their differences

• Create a thesis statement that reflects that decision

Weak Thesis Statements

• Athena is somewhat alike and somewhat different.

•  I can see some similarities and some differences too.

• What is wrong with these two thesis statements?

Better Thesis Pattern

•  While both descriptions of Athena include that she is ________________ and ____________________, each story portrays her _____________ and _________________ differently.

•  Help me fill in this thesis statement. What is the first thing we need to decide in order to fill in these blanks?

An Even Better Thesis Pattern

While Athena is portrayed in both stories as being ______________, interesting differences in her ________ and ________ include_________________________ ultimately showing that female gods _____________.

Why is this a better thesis? Use the elements of

thought or intellectual standards to guide your answer.

Help me fill this pattern above in.

Comparison-Contrast Paragraph Structure • What are the elements of a good comparison-

contrast paragraph? •  Ok, let’s look at this sample to answer this

question: My Dogs •  My Hogs by Kayla Marie Anfinson

Although I raised Marcee and Obbie from puppies, they have completely diverse personalities. Obbie is a six year old, male, toy Pomeranian whereas Marcee is a one year old, female, Boston terrier. Obbie is small and soft, unlike Marcee who has bristly hair and is much bigger. Marcee insists on sleeping on the bed, under the covers every night. On the other hand, Obbie will only sleep on the floor, under the bed. Obbie is tremendously loyal and uptight; however, Marcee is hyper and friendly to anyone she meets or sees. Around other dogs, Marcee cowers to the larger dog, yet Obbie will always stand his ground, never giving up until he is scolded. Given that they were both treated the same way all their life, it is hard to believe that they are so different in everything they do.

What do you notice about how this paragraph is put together?

Writing Assignment

• Using the prompt, first do a TAK. Then, follow the instructions and write a paragraph about the depictions of Athena in the two myths.

A Comparison-Contrast Essay

• Now that you have worked on a paragraph, try a full essay.

• What do you think the similarities and differences between writing the paragraph and essay will be?

Note: Let’s make a chart- what are the criterion?

Paragraph Organization--BLOCK

PURPOSE INFORMATION

INFERENCES

Creation Myth 1

2nd Paragraph

3rd Paragraph

4th Paragraph

Creation Myth 2

5th Paragraph

6th Paragraph

7th Paragraph

Paragraph Organization--Point by Point

Purpose Information Infernences

Creation Myth 1

↓ ↓ ↓

↓ ↓ ↓

↓ ↓ ↓

Creation Myth 2 ↓

↓ ↓

↓ ↓ ↓

↓ ↓ ↓

2nd Paragraph

3rd Paragraph

4th Paragraph

Paragraph Organization—Point by Point Alternate

↓Purpose Information Infernces

Myth 1

2nd Paragraph

4th Paragraph

6th Paragraph

Myth 2 3rd Paragraph

5th Paragraph

7th Paragraph

Outline - Block Method

I. Introduction a) Attention Getter

or Hook b) Background

Information c) Thesis

II. Myth 1 a) Purpose of myth b) Information

about creation c) Inference about

human nature

III. Myth 2 a) Purpose of myth

b) Information about creation

c) Inference about human nature

IV. Conclusion a) Emphasize Major Ties and/or interesting differences b) So What? c) Evaluation

Outline - Point by Point

I. Introduction a) Attention Getter or

Hook b) Background

Information c) Thesis

II. Purpose a) Myth 1 b) Myth 2 III. Information a) Myth 1 b) Myth 2

IV. Inferences about human nature

a) Myth 1 b) Myth 2 IV. Conclusion a) Emphasize Major

Ties and/or interesting differences

b) So What? c) Evaluation

Where do transitions fit in?

• When writing the block style, where are transitions most important? Internally or Externally? What do I mean by that? Can someone give a sample?

• When writing a point- by- point, where are transitions most important? Internally or Externally? What do I mean by that? Can someone give a sample?

• What are some effective comparison-contrast transition words?

Transitions

•  To Compare –  also –  as –  in the same way –  like –  likewise –  similarly –  comparable –  equally –  in addition

• To Contrast -although -but -even though -however -on the other hand -otherwise -yet -still -conversely -as opposed to -different from -whereas

Review

q Make sure you understand the purpose of the assignment

q Complete pre-writing activity q Gather evidence q Create a thesis statement q Choose an organizational pattern q Write an outline q Write a working draft q Revise as needed

Assignment for English

•  Honors- Choose three myths of creation (one of which is your own) and write a comparison-contrast essay in either block or point-point form.

•  Regulars- Choose two myths of creation and write a comparison-contrast essay in either block or point-point form.

•  Be sure you use Requirements for Good Form. •  Due ____________________