online unit 5 comparison contrast slides

to take a walk because it reminds me of Moreda Street in Morelia, Mexico two subjects introduced: Willowbrook Mall and Moreda Street.. They are very different but also similar in some wa

WRITING 2

UNIT 5: COMPARISON-CONTRAST ESSAYS

COMPARISON-CONTRAST ESSAYS: Purpose

• To discuss similarities and differences between two subjects/ideas

introduces two subjects to be compared or contrasted ends with a thesis statement focusing similarities/ differences

between two subjects

INTRODUCTION: Structure

INTRODUCTION: Example (Savage & Mayer, 2006)

I enjoy spending my Sunday afternoons outside the house I cannot have the same experience in the United States that I had in Mexico when I was a child, but I have found a place that is similar to my home Willowbrook Mall in Houston, Texas , is my favorite place in the U.S to take a walk because it reminds me of Moreda Street in Morelia, Mexico (two subjects introduced: Willowbrook Mall and Moreda Street) They are very different but also similar in some ways, especially on a Sunday afternoon (thesis statement: focusing on both similarities and differences).

Similarities & Differences

– Paragraph 1: 1 topic sentence = similarities/differences

– Paragraph 2: 1 topic sentence = differences/similarities

Similarities & Differences

– Paragraph 1: 1 topic sentence = similarities/differences

– Paragraph 2: 1 topic sentence = differences/similarities

BODY: Point-by-point model

Body paragraph 1 – Point 1

First of all, women are indecisive while shopping but men are not (topic sentence: point of difference 1 – indecisiveness/decisiveness while shopping) A woman can go into a store with every intention of getting one item But she sees all the cute things lying around the store saying “Buy me.” For that reason, she feels compelled to buy other items within the store That is why a woman can be very indecisive Unlike women, men know what they want and pick only that item up When a man says that he is going to get one thing from the store it is a guarantee that he will come home with that one item because things do not scream out at him, “Buy me.” (example)

BODY: Point-by-point example (Savage & Mayer, 2006)

Body paragraph 2 – Point 2

Secondly, a female can take a lot longer time to shop than a male does (topic sentence: point of difference 2 - time) Ladies can take hours getting one item, while men can get five items in 20 minutes or less (example 1) Besides, for some reason alady has to look at everything she finds appealing to the eye Last weekend my eldest sister went shopping for a pair of jeans but she spent two hours looking at shoes, shirts, swimsuits, jewelry although her too tight budget did not allow her to have them Differently, a man just does not seem to notice things as a woman does Or maybe it is because a man just doesn’t care In any case, when a male says he will be back in twenty minutes from shopping, he will be back in twenty minutes or less My father and all my three elder brothers are typical examples (example 2)

Similarities & Differences

– Paragraph 1: 1 topic sentence = similarities/differences

– Paragraph 2: 1 topic sentence = differences/similarities

BODY: Similarities-and-differences example (Savage & Mayer, 2006)

Body paragraph 1 – Similarities

For me, Willowbrook Mall has an atmosphere that is like Moreda Street’s (topic sentence) In both places, people stroll and gather (reason/explanation) In Morelia, families leave church and go for a walk along Moreda Street on Sunday afternoon Often people stop at an outdoor café and have an ice cream or coffee and watch people walk by (example 1) Now that I live in Houston,

Willowbrook Mall is the place where I go to see people on Sundays for their afternoon walk I sit in a food court where I can drink

a coffee with my friend, as I watch teenagers and families walking through the mall (example 2) When I see them, I remember how life was when I was a child (reason/explanation)

BODY: Similarities-and-differences example (Savage & Mayer, 2006)

Body paragraph 2 – Differences

Despite their similarities, Moreda Street and Willowbrook Mall are very different(topic sentence) Willowbrook Mall is more modern (reason/explanation) On the one hand, Moreda Street has old colonial buildings and beautiful old trees that shade the street It is also quiet On the other hand, Willowbrook Mall is new and the lights are bright, and loud music plays in the stores

(example 1) The people on Moreda Street also have more traditional ways Men wear attractive, conservative suits and women wear light summer dresses Fathers watch their teenage daughters closely and do not let their daughters hold hands with boys In contrast, many teenagers go to Willowbrook Mall without their parents, and boyfriends and girlfriends walk with their arms

around each other (example 2) When I see them, I realize that my daughter will have a different experience growing up in

Houston than I did in Moreda Then, I worry about her, and I miss Moreda Street, where life is more traditional (writer’s personal thought)

CONCLUSION: Structure

• Conclusion = points of similarities and differences + final comment

CONCLUSION: Example (Savage & Mayer, 2006)

It is interesting (writer’s comment)to see how people and places from different countries can be similar and

different at the same time Moreda Street and Willowbrook Mall are very different in appearance and culture

(summary of points of differences), but they are also similar because they are both places where people like to go to relax

on a Sunday afternoon (summary of points of similarities).

COMPARISON-CONTRAST ESSAYS: Writing task

Write a short essay on the following topic:

Compare and contrast life in a big city and life in the countryside.

STEP 1: Brainstorming ideas

STEP 3: Writing the first draf

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STEP 4: Editing your writing

Editor’s Checklist Put a check () in the box as appropriate.

 1 Does your essay have four paragraphs?

 2 Does your introduction include a hook and a thesis statement?

 3 Does your thesis statement present the comparison and/or contrast between the two subjects?

 4 Does each of your body paragraph have a clear topic sentence?

 5 Does each of your body paragraph include details that support the topic sentence?

 6 Did you use connectors that show similarity and/or contrast?

 7 Did you use the correct form of comparatives?

 8 Does your conclusion summarize the points of comparison and/or contrast?

STEP 4: Editing your writing

Peer Editor’s Checklist Put a check () in the box as appropriate.

 1 Does the essay have four paragraphs?

 2 Does the introduction include a hook and a thesis statement?

 3 Does the thesis statement focus the comparison and/or contrast between the two subjects?

 4 Does each body paragraph have a clear topic sentence?

 5 Does each body paragraph include details that support the topic sentence?

 6 Did the writer use connectors that show similarity and/or contrast?

 7 Did the writer use the correct form of comparatives?

 8 Does the conclusion summarize the points of comparison and/or contrast?

THE END

Reference

Savage, A., & Mayer, P (2006) Effective academic writing 2: The short essay New York, NY: Oxford University Press.