Compare/contrast
a significant holiday. Has any holiday or event changed since you were a child?
What is it like now as an adult?

Comparison/Contrast Writing Assignment Parameters

For this assignment, you will compose a comparison and
contrast paper. Please review the chapter on this method of development in your
text. The page requirement is the same as your descriptive narrative, 1 ½ to 3
pages long in MLA format. Below is more information about compare and contrast.

Comparison and contrast are processes of identifying how
ideas, people, or things are alike (comparison) and how they are different (contrast).
Such assignments require you to move beyond mere description by thinking deeply
about the items being compared, identifying meaningful relationships between
them, and deciding which qualities are most significant. This process involves
evaluating, analyzing, and synthesizing your findings and presenting them in a
meaningful, interesting, and logical way.

Structure

Provide a clear introduction and thesis that not only spells
out the topic and the opinion but that also answers the question, “So what?”

Link your ideas or thoughts with effective transitions that
demonstrates the relationships between the subjects. Conclude the paper by
summarizing and analyzing the findings, once again reminding the reader of the
relationships you have noted between your subjects and/or categories.

Transitional Markers to Indicate Comparison and Contrast:

Transitional
markers are words or phrases that show the connections and relationships among
ideas. They are often placed at or near the beginning of a sentence or paragraph.
There are many such words, but here are some of the most useful terms:

Words to indicate comparison:
in comparison, similarly, likewise, in the same way, parallel to, correlate,
identically, akin to, consistent with, also, too, analogous to, correspondingly

Words to indicate contrast: in
contrast, however, on the other hand, nevertheless, although, counter to, on
the contrary, conversely, rather than, in opposition to, opposite of

Sample Introductory Paragraph

Below
is a sample of an introduction from a literary compare and contrast paper
written by a student: (Some of the terms
she uses to indicate comparison and contrast are in boldface.)

Because America itself is still a relatively young nation,
its poetry, too, lacks the years of history and growth that have defined the
voices of other nations. However, within the past century, American poetry
has developed into a distinctive and accomplished art of its own. The
creation of this poetic voice is often attributed to Walt Whitman, who has
been coined “the father of American poetry.” His revolutionary style and
untraditional subject matter, exemplified in his renowned poem “Song of
Myself,” have paved the way for future generations of American writers.
Furthermore, his unique use of the line and breath has had a great influence
on many poets’ own work, particularly the writing of the more contemporary
poet Allen Ginsberg, whose controversial poem “Howl” echoes many of
the characteristics of Whitman’s verse. *However,
while the form and content of “Howl” may have been influenced by “Song of
Myself,” Ginsberg’s poem signifies a transformation of Whitman’s use of the
line, his first-person narration, and his vision of America. As
Whitman’s sprawling lines open outward in the voice of a cosmic speaker who
creates a positive view of America, Ginsberg’s poem does the opposite,
using long lines that close inward to mimic the suffocation and madness that
characterize the vision of America that he presents through the voice of a
prophetic speaker.

Your
first paragraph is your introduction, and your last paragraph is your
conclusion. The introduction generally tells the reader what you will be
writing about and contains the thesis statement. The thesis statement
should clearly identify what you are comparing or contrasting. The conclusion
ties the entire essay together. What goes between these two paragraphs is
called the body paragraphs.

This paper will be evaluated for correct use of mechanics, spelling,
and punctuation as well as content, unity, organization, and so forth.
Use a variety of sentence structures. This paper will also be evaluated for
correct use of MLA format: Times New Roman 12-point font, double spaced, and so
forth.

Make sure the paper has a strong introduction with a clear thesis
statement. Your thesis statement is
not just the topic of your paper. It is your opinion about the topic. A narrow
topic + your opinion about the topic = an effective thesis statement. The
body of the paper should fully compare and/or contrast the chosen topic while
giving vivid examples/illustrations as support. Wrap up the paper with a
strong, significant conclusion.

The paper can be on any topic you find interesting to
compare or contrast (but, please, keep it PG-13). Likewise, it needs to have a
clear thesis: an opinion about the topic being compared and or contrasted. For
instance, if comparing a book version with a movie version, please state
clearly which one is superior and why. Do not straddle the fence. It will only
weaken your thesis and your entire paper. If your paper lacks a strong thesis, the
paper will not be successful.

Also, keep your readers in mind while writing. If it’s
boring to you, chances are it’s boring to readers. Make sure your paper answers the
questions, “So what? And why should I care?” If it’s not significant, why write
about it?

Seven possible topics are listed below for you to
choose from if you need clearer direction. There are also topics to select from
in your text book.

1. Compose
a contrast paper about something in your life that has changed with time and
familiarity.

2. Compare
or contrast people from different cultures, including married couples from
differing ethnic backgrounds, friendships, or traveling or moving to another
country or another state.

3. Compare/contrast
a book to its movie version.

4. Compare/contrast
a remake of a movie to the original version.

5. Compare/contrast
a person, place, or thing. Illustrate how it has either stayed the same
(compare) or how it has changed (contrast).

6. Compare/contrast
two literary characters in a story or novel.

7. Compare/contrast
a significant holiday. Has any holiday or event changed since you were a child?
What is it like now as an adult?

Comparison and Contrast Essay
	Poor=D/F	Fair=C	Good=B	Excellent=A
Thesis Is a purpose for comparison or contrast made clear in the thesis? Does the thesis answer the question, “so what?” And is it interesting and significant?	Thesis is not present or is unclear.	Thesis is present but is too broad for the essay topic and does not show significance or answer the question “So what?”	Thesis is present and clearly written but not written well enough to be considered excellent. Could show significance and answer the question “So What?” a bit more.	Thesis is clear and well-written. It is interesting, original, striking, and substantial and thoroughly answers the question “So What?”

Organization Is the essay clearly organized into paragraphs? Does it contain an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion? Is each paragraph guided by a controlling idea that contributes to the thesis?	Essay is not organized. Paragraphs are not evident or lack a controlling idea. Transitions are not present or do not effectively direct readers from one example to the next.	Essay is somewhat organized but lacks a clear controlling idea and strays off topic at times. Transitions are present but do not effectively direct readers from one example to the next. They may be basic and/or confusing.	Essay is well organized (contains an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion) but does not connect to the thesis as well as it could. Transitions are present and direct readers from one example to the next though not to the level of excellent. They may be basic and/or confusing.	Essay is organized and well structured (introduction, a body, and a conclusion). The organization works with the thesis so that the thesis and the organization contribute to the purpose of the essay. Essay does not digress from central point. Transitions help the paper flow smoothly. Introductory paragraph is interesting and appropriate. Concluding paragraph is satisfying. Transitions are present and effectively direct readers. They exhibit sophistication on the part of the writer.

Grammar and Mechanics Does paper indicate that writer has control of the rules of grammar and mechanics? Are there errors in the following: spelling, s/v agreement, frag, cs, run-ons, etc?	Essay contains many errors, which are distracting to the reader and make the essay hard to follow or comprehend.	Essay contains several errors; some are distracting to the reader, but the essay is relatively easy to follow and comprehend.	Essay contains a few errors, but they are not distracting to the reader.	Essay contains one or two minor errors.

Word Usage Does writer use vocabulary appropriate to the essay?	Word usage is informal and/or inappropriate to the essay.	Word usage is appropriate but lacks sophistication expected in word choice for this essay.	Word usage is appropriate but does not qualify as excellent.	Word usage is appropriate for the essay and reflects sophistication on the part of the writer.

7. Compare/contrast a significant holiday. Has any holiday or event changed since you were a child? What is it like now as an adult?

Comparison/Contrast Writing Assignment Parameters

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