How to Prepare for the Compare/Contrast Essay

To Kill A Mockingbird – Comparison/Contrast Essay Assignment

Background: The compare/contrast writing format is one of the most common forms you will encounter in your academic careers.  Moreover, being able to think in this form helps you to make all kinds of important decisions in your life—what things to buy, what college to attend, which boy or girl to date, what kind of pet to get—the list is endless.

Your Task:  To write a well-constructed comparison/contrast essay based on two characters from the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. There five sets of possible characters for this essay:

1.     Boo Radley and Tom Robinson

2.     Miss Maudie and Mrs. Dubose

3.     The Ewells and the Cunninghams

4.     Scout and Atticus

5.     Calpurnia and Aunt Alexandra

On the day that you write your essay:

Your teacher will highlight two of the five options

• You must write your essay on either of the two options selected by your teacher

What you need in class on the day you write your essay:

This assignment sheet and the rubric; there can be no additional writing on it.

• Your Compare/Contrast note-taking sheets.  This sheet will be turned in along with your essay and the rubric. This sheet must be hand written; computer-printed and photocopied documents will not be allowed. You can not use your book on the day you write.
• Dictionaries and thesauruses will be available in class.

How to write a comparison and contrast essay:

Introduction Paragraph

            1.  Catch the reader’s attention – Something that “hooks” the reader, pulls them into the writing and makes them want to read more.

            2.  Background Information – Discuss anything the reader needs to know before you start to explain your topic. For example, important background to the author, the novel, the time period, etc.

            3.  Thesis Statement – Be specifc about your position when answering the question.

Body Paragraphs

1.  Topic Sentence: State your argument and the specific examples you plan to use for support – For each separate body paragraph, the topic sentence should refer to the examples you plan to discuss.

2.  Explain the examples or evidence that support your argument – Be specific by using direct quotes from the novel as needed.

3. A concluding thought summarize and clarify the information you have presented – Be sure the reader understands that you have successfully answered the essay question at this point.

4. Tranisition into the next paragraph – Transition words should be used throughout your paragraphs, but it is a good idea to use transition words to indicate to the reader that there is another example to follow (not needed for your final body paragraph).

Conclusion Paragraph

            1.  Remind the reader of your position – restate your thesis statement.

            2.  Briefly review  the main points that support your position.

            3.  Final closing thoughts – leave the reader with a intelligent idea about your position.

Example Paragraph:  (note: this is NOT a complete essay!)

   Although Lennie, from Of Mice and Men, and Arthur Radley (Boo), from To Kill a Mockingbird, appear different on the outside they are very similar characters.  They are both ‘mockingbirds’ in their stories, which symbolizes their innocence.  Both societies do not welcome them and discriminate against them; they are socially not accepted.  Similarly, they both mean no harm when they both kill a character in the stories (Curley’s wife and Bob Ewell).  In Of Mice and Men, Lennie is killed; conversely Boo Radley is saved from his society.  They both have mental issues as Lennie is mentally retarded and Boo stays locked up inside his house and was suppose to go to an asylum.  They have differences such as Lennie who is referred to as a wild animal, reacts without thinking, and loves to talk.  Whereas Boo, on the other hand, is observant, thinks before he acts and has seldom spoken in his life.  Despite their differences they both mean well to their surroundings and care for people. 

General Things to Remember for English Papers/Essays:

► in-class essays must be written in black or blue ink

► essay must have a title that is concise and represents the subject of the essay (“Expository Essay” is not a title.  The Catcher in the Rye has been taken…)

► if your title includes the name of a poem, play, book, etc., then the normal underlining or quotation mark rules apply.  e.g.:

            The Impact of Racism in To Kill a Mockingbird

► Always avoid these pronouns: I/Me/We/You/Us

► follow MLA guidelines for internal citations and PUNCTUATE correctly

► write in present tense, regardless of when the text was written that you are analyzing.

e.g.:      Shelley employs vivid imagery in “Ozymandias” and warns that all societies will eventually crumble.  (not “employed” or “warned”)

► avoid informal/colloquial language (e.g. “stuff”   “kids”)

► avoid using contractions:  “did not” instead of “didn’t”;   “would have” instead of “would’ve”,  etc.

► titles of long pieces (books, movies, plays, newspapers, encyclopedia) are underlined, or if typing, italics are also acceptable

► if using quotations from the text you are analyzing, be sure to IMBED (blend the quotation with your own sentence) and deal with the SO WHAT factor.  Do not just explain what the quotation means—that is very poor writing style for high school

► The entire introduction and conclusion should be in your own words—no quotes from the text

 

How to write a Compare and Contrast essay  – Option #1

Method 1 – Dealing with each aspect separately

This is the pattern	This is how the sample outline looks
Introduction introduction of general topic specific topic Thesis – areas to be covered in this essay	Introduction Many important characters in the novel Two of the most important are Lennie and George Thesis – Although Lennie and George are different because of their mental and physical abilities, they are very similar characters based on their views on work and their dreams for the future.
(Aspect A) Point 1 a) subsection b) subsection Point 2 a) subsection b) subsection c) subsection Point 3 a) subsection	Topic Sentence – Lennie can be characterized in many ways. Mental Abilities a) Mentally handicapped b) Specific evidence for support Physical Abilities a) Extremely strong b) Specific evidence for support Work Ethic a) Works hard to get what he wants b) Specific evidence for support Dreams for the Future a) Wants to own his own home and land b) Specific evidence for support
(Aspect B) Point 1 a) subsection b) subsection Point 2 a) subsection b) subsection c) subsection Point 3 a) subsection	Topic Sentence – George can be characterized similarly and differently from Lennie Mental Abilities a) Intelligent man b) Provide specific evidence for support Physical Abilities a) Only average strength b) Provide specific evidence for support Views on Work a) Works hard to get what he wants b) Provide specific evidence for support Dreams for the Future a) Wants to own his own home and land b) Provide specific evidence for support
Conclusion Summary of main points Evaluation and/or Possible future developments	Conclusion   1.  Remind the reader of your position – restate your thesis statement.   2.  Briefly review  the main points that support your position.    3.  Final thoughts – leave the reader with a intelligent idea about  your position.

Comment: this method is easy to write, because it follows a sequence. It is suitable for short pieces of writing (500 words), but in longer pieces of writing the reader will have to work hard to see the relation between ‘A’ and ‘B’; for example, ‘Lennie’s Mental Abilities’ will be many sentences away from ‘George’s Mental Abilities’ (Aspect B).

How to write a Compare and Contrast essay – Option #2

Method 2 – Dealing with each category separately

This is the pattern	This is how the sample outline looks
Introduction introduction of general topic specific topic Thesis – areas to be covered in this essay	Introduction Many important characters in the novel Two of the most important are Lennie and George Thesis – Although Lennie and George are different because of their mental and physical abilities, they are very similar characters based on their views on work and their dreams for the future.
Aspect A (point 1) a) subsection b) subsection   Aspect B (point 1) a) subsection b) subsection	Topic Sentence – Lennie and George have different mental and physical abilities. Aspect A – Mental Abilities a) Lennie is mentally handicapped, but George is intelligent b) Provide specific evidence for support Aspect B – Physical Abilities a) Lennie is extremely strong, but George has only average strength b) Provide specific evidence for support
Aspect A (point 2) a) subsection b) subsection   Aspect B (point 2) a) subsection b) subsection	Topic Sentence – Lennie and George are similar characters based on their views on work and their dreams for the future.  Aspect A – Views on Work a) Both Lennie and George work hard to get what they want b) Provide specific evidence for support Aspect B – Dreams for the Future a) Both Lennie and George want to own their own home and land b) Provide specific evidence for support
Conclusion Summary of main points Evaluation and possible future developments	Conclusion   1.  Remind the reader of your position – restate your thesis statement.   2.  Briefly review  the main points that support your position.    3.  Final thoughts – leave the reader with a intelligent idea about  your position.

Comment: method two gives the reader more help in following the comparisons. In this case it is the writer who needs to work hard, to categorize each point clearly, in his/her outline, before writing.