Compare and Contrast Essay
Compare and Contrast Essay Basics
Today's lesson will focus on the basics of the compare and contrast essay. Listen carefully so that you can complete the practice compare and contrast essay.
Key Points
Today's lesson will focus on the basics of the compare and contrast essay. Listen carefully so that you can complete the practice compare and contrast essay.
Key Points
- writing prompt - The writing prompt tells the reader what the essay is about.
- essay structure - The structure of the essay will always be an introduction, three comparison paragraphs, and a conclusion.
- the two topics (stories) being compared - This week's practice essay will compare two stories (the two topics).
- points of comparison - The points of comparison tells the reader the ways that you are going to compare the two topics.
- evidence - Evidence is the key to supporting your points of comparison.
- evidence amount - Always use two pieces of evidence per topic to prove each point (total of four per paragraph).
- works cited page - A works cited page is usually attached to the end of an essay that uses the MLA style. It allows the reader to go directly to the source documents to learn more about the topic or to verify your evidence
ELA Lesson 6 Parts 2 / 3/ 4 - Compare and Contrast Practice
Writing Prompt - Compare and contrast “The Hidden Southwest: The Arch Hunters” by James Vlahos and “Big Rocks’ Balancing Acts” by Douglas Fox. Focus specifically on the point of view, tone, and the theme of each story. Your completed essay should consist of complete five paragraphs.
Tips For A Successful Essay
- Do not use the words “I” and “we” in your sentences.
- Indent the first sentence of every paragraph.
- Use the tab key to indent your paragraph.
- Use the format of the titles that are shown in the writing prompt.
- Use italics to emphasize certain words in your paragraphs.
- Do not begin sentences with the word “like.”
- Do not use abbreviations or acronyms such as “POV.”
- Do not use a capital letter in the quote when using only a portion of a quote in the middle or end of a sentence.
- Do not end paragraphs with quotations.
- Do not introduce new information or use quotes in the concluding paragraph.
- The concluding paragraph in an essay must be at least three sentences long.
Types of MLA Style In-text Citations
Example 2 - Adams found that the "Endangered Species Act helped the bald eagle rebound by banning the use of
DDT" (Adams 243).
- Cite the quote or paraphrased portion of the topic source by using the author's last name and the page number (with parenthesis) where it is located in the text. Note- The citation comes at the end of the sentence and is followed by a period.
Example 2 - Adams found that the "Endangered Species Act helped the bald eagle rebound by banning the use of
DDT" (Adams 243).
- You can also use the author's name as part of the sentence itself. If you do, do not include the author's name again in the citation. Use only the page number, inside parenthesis, and then end the sentence with a period.
Compare and Contrast Essay Assignment Details
Compare and Contrast Essay Assignment Details
- Complete this assignment using a Word document.
- Use Arial font size 14 for the entire paper.
- Do not change the default spacing.
- Save your document as "2021 10" and your last name, followed by the lesson title shown above.
- Use the standard heading in the upper left hand corner of the page (name, date, Mr. Duncan - ELA Period __.
- Copy and paste the writing prompt two lines under the heading.
- Skip one line between the instructions and introduction to your paper.
- Your completed essay should consist of complete five paragraphs.
- Use transitions to connect different ideas in your essay.
ELA Lesson 7 Part 4 - Introductory Paragraph
The introductory paragraph is critical in getting your reader interested and motivated to read your essay. You should begin with a hook and follow it up with the thesis of the essay.
The following are a few ways to "hook" your audience.
- Begin with a quote that is related to your thesis statement.
- Describe a problem or issue facing society that relates to your topic. This approach can be very effective when the issue sparks an emotional response in your reader. This approach requires a few sentences that adequately describe the problem or issue.
- Describe a humorous story (anecdote) that relates to your topic. Again, humor helps to spark an emotional response. Be sure to make the connection between the story and thesis topic.
- Ask the reader a rhetorical question. Rhetorical questions get the reader to start thinking about the topic. It is critical that you follow a rhetorical question with a few sentences that help to answer the question and guide the reader to the thesis statement.
- Make a statement about the topic and then point out a common misconception about it. Then make the connection between the misconception and your topic.
- Make a statement about the topic and then support it with a statistic. Statistics, particularly if they are surprising, help to make your topic more interesting. Provide enough information about the topic to make the connection to the thesis.
Once you have created the hook you are ready to state your thesis. The thesis is often driven by a writing prompt and includes the major points that will be made in the essay.
Writing Prompt
Compare and contrast “The Hidden Southwest: The Arch Hunters” by James Vlahos and “Big Rocks’ Balancing Acts” by Douglas Fox. Focus specifically on the point of view, tone, and the theme of each story.
Compare and contrast “The Hidden Southwest: The Arch Hunters” by James Vlahos and “Big Rocks’ Balancing Acts” by Douglas Fox. Focus specifically on the point of view, tone, and the theme of each story.
ELA Lesson 8 - Compare and Contrast Essay
ELA Lesson 9 Parts 1 / 2 / 3 / 4/ 5- Paragraph Four of the Compare and Contrast Essay
Compare and Contrast Structure - The Three Essay Body Paragraphs
1. Introduce and define your topic (point of view, theme, or tone).
2. Describe the topic as it relates to the first story
- Evidence Quote 1
- Evidence Quote 2
3. Describe the topic as it relates to the second story
- Evidence Quote 1
- Evidence Quote 2
4. Compare and contrast the topic as it relates to both stories (either they are similar or different).
1. Introduce and define your topic (point of view, theme, or tone).
2. Describe the topic as it relates to the first story
- Evidence Quote 1
- Evidence Quote 2
3. Describe the topic as it relates to the second story
- Evidence Quote 1
- Evidence Quote 2
4. Compare and contrast the topic as it relates to both stories (either they are similar or different).
Types of MLA Style In-text Citations
Example 2 - Adams found that the "Endangered Species Act helped the bald eagle rebound by banning the use of
DDT" (Adams 243).
the bald eagle (243).
- Cite the quote or paraphrased portion of the topic source by using the author's last name and the page number (with parenthesis) where it is located in the text. Note- The citation comes at the end of the sentence and is followed by a period.
Example 2 - Adams found that the "Endangered Species Act helped the bald eagle rebound by banning the use of
DDT" (Adams 243).
- You can also use the author's name as part of the sentence itself. If you do, do not include the author's name again in the citation. Use only the page number, inside parenthesis, and then end the sentence with a period.
the bald eagle (243).
Types of MLA Style In-text Citations - Electronic Sources (Websites)
Use the website title as part of the sentence without including a parenthetical citation at the end.
Example 1 - In "Edward Braddock" it states that "the Battle of Monongahela astounded George Washington, then
serving as one of Braddock’s aides-de-camp."
Example 2 - "Edward Braddock" shows that "the Battle of Monongahela astounded George Washington, then
serving as one of Braddock’s aides-de-camp."
Use the website title as part of the sentence without including a parenthetical citation at the end.
Example 1 - In "Edward Braddock" it states that "the Battle of Monongahela astounded George Washington, then
serving as one of Braddock’s aides-de-camp."
Example 2 - "Edward Braddock" shows that "the Battle of Monongahela astounded George Washington, then
serving as one of Braddock’s aides-de-camp."
Writing Prompt
Compare and contrast the Continental and British military forces in the American Revolutionary War.
Compare and contrast the Continental and British military forces in the American Revolutionary War.
Overview
This compare and contrast essay will be different in that you will use the Pearson textbook as your primary source. You will also need to use two additional sources of information. You will decide located and use the two additional sources. Be sure that your sources are credible and trustworthy.
Compare and Contrast Essay Basics
Today's lesson will be a review of the compare and contrast essay format.
Key Points
This compare and contrast essay will be different in that you will use the Pearson textbook as your primary source. You will also need to use two additional sources of information. You will decide located and use the two additional sources. Be sure that your sources are credible and trustworthy.
Compare and Contrast Essay Basics
Today's lesson will be a review of the compare and contrast essay format.
Key Points
- writing prompt - The writing prompt tells the reader what the essay is about.
- essay structure - The structure of the essay will always be an introduction, three comparison paragraphs, and a conclusion.
- the two topics (stories) being compared - The topics are the two things that will be compared. In this case it will be the Continental Forces and the British Forces.
- three points of comparison - The points of comparison tells the reader the ways that you are going to compare the two topics.
- evidence - Evidence is the key to supporting your points of comparison. You do this by using quotes with the appropriate MLA parenthetical citations.
- evidence amount for each of the two topics being compared - Always use two pieces of evidence for each of the three points that you will be comparing. By the time you finish you will have a total of twelve quotes (evidence).
- works cited page - A works cited page is usually attached to the end of an essay that uses the MLA style. It allows the reader to go directly to the source documents to learn more about the topic or to verify your evidence.
Begin working on your graphic organizer. Use the remainder of the class period today and the class period tomorrow to complete it. You will complete the remainder of the graphic organizer for homework on Friday.
Homework- Complete the graphic organizer and submit a picture of it in Google Classroom by Monday morning at 8:00.
Homework- Complete the graphic organizer and submit a picture of it in Google Classroom by Monday morning at 8:00.

Key Information
Step 1 - Complete the heading.
Step 2 - Write the three topics that you will use to compare the Continental and British Forces.
Step 3- Write a statement that shows how the comparison point relates to the two topics (Continental and British
Forces)
Step 4- Use your textbook to find six different quotes that you will use as evidence. Use the entire quote and include a
parenthetical citation. Note- You must use the textbook as your first source in each of the six boxes.
Step 5 - Bring your graphic organizer up in order to receive approval to move on to the next step.
Step 6 - (Homework) Find two reputable Internet sources that you will use to provide evidence for the other six quotes.
Note- You have the option of using either two or three additional sources of information.
Step 7 - Record the next six quotes from the two sources.
ELA Lesson 18 Parts 1/2/3/4 Compare and Contrast Essay Work Sessions
Use the ELA classes this week to write, edit and revise, and complete the compare and contrast essay. All essays must be submitted by Thursday at the end of the school day. The completed essay will be the first grade of Quarter Three.
Use the ELA classes this week to write, edit and revise, and complete the compare and contrast essay. All essays must be submitted by Thursday at the end of the school day. The completed essay will be the first grade of Quarter Three.
Compare and Contrast Structure - The Three Essay Body Paragraphs
1. Introduce and define your topic (point of view, theme, or tone).
2. Describe the topic as it relates to the first topic
- Evidence Quote 1
- Evidence Quote 2
3. Describe the topic as it relates to the second topic
- Evidence Quote 1
- Evidence Quote 2
4. Compare and contrast the topic as it relates to both topics (either they are similar or different).
1. Introduce and define your topic (point of view, theme, or tone).
2. Describe the topic as it relates to the first topic
- Evidence Quote 1
- Evidence Quote 2
3. Describe the topic as it relates to the second topic
- Evidence Quote 1
- Evidence Quote 2
4. Compare and contrast the topic as it relates to both topics (either they are similar or different).