A crash course February 22 2012 Why compare amp contrast The writing strategy of comparing like things and contrasting differing ones is all around us Comparing and contrasting can weigh several options give us multiple perspectives on some sort of decision we have to make and help us mak ID: 334831
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Slide1
Comparing & contrasting in writing
A crash course
February 22, 2012Slide2
Why compare & contrast?
The writing strategy of comparing like things and contrasting differing ones is all around us. Comparing and contrasting can weigh several options, give us multiple perspectives on some sort of decision we have to make, and help us make meaningful connections between two things.
On your worksheet, list 2 situations in which you’ve either SEEN or actually USED a compare/contrast strategy.
In each of these situations, why was using compare/contrast important?Slide3
compare & contrast in writing - 3 ways
Comparing & contrasting is extremely important in good, developed writing. Unfortunately, it’s also extremely difficult to keep your writing ORGANIZED when you do it. (And I’m not just talking to high-
schoolers
when I say that – lots of college students I know have difficulty with it, too!)
Let’s look at 3 ways we can structure a piece of writing that uses compare & contrast.
Whole-to-Whole (block)
Similarities-to-Differences
Point-by-PointSlide4
Option 1: whole-to-whole (block)
In this structure, you say everything about one
item,
and
then
everything about the other.
For
instance, say everything about the characters, setting, and plot for the
book
then everything about the characters, setting, and plot for the
movie
.
The points in each of the sections should be the same and they should be explained in the same order (for instance, you might discuss character, setting, and plot for both, and in that order for both)
.Slide5
OPTION 2: SIMILARITIES-TO-DIFFERENCES
In this structure, you explain all the
similarities
about the items being compared and then you explain all the
differences.
For instance, you might explain that the characters and plot were similar in both the book and movie in the one section.
In the next section, you could explain that the settings were different. The book took place during the summer while the movie took place during the winter
.Slide6
OPTION 3: POINT-BY-POINT
In this structure, you explain
one point
of comparison before moving to the next point.
For instance, you would write about the characters in the book and movie in one section; then you would write about the setting in the book and movie in the next section
.
For consistency, begin with the same item in each section of your point-by-point paper. For instance, for each point that you discuss, explain the information about the book first and then about the movie
.Slide7
Okaaaayyy… so how do we use all this?
Let’s take a look at some examples of your Romeo & Juliet character comparison paragraphs.
For each paragraph, jot down some notes on your worksheet.
What makes this piece of writing
clear?
How do you see the author organizing his/her main points?Slide8
Awesome student sample #1
Romeo and Juliet have changed throughout Act I and Act II. Juliet has changed from a passive, obedient daughter to an independent,
lovestruck
teenager. At the end of Act I, Juliet is very resilient to the fact that Romeo wants to kiss her. Instead of kissing, she asks him to pray instead. But when Romeo mysteriously shows up in her back yard, she is very
lovestruck
and clingy. I see this because she can’t let him go away. This also tells me she’s independent because she now doesn’t care what her parents will do. Romeo goes from a depressed character to a very aggressive, also
lovestruck
character. When Romeo is going to the party he is very depressed about his breakup with Rosaline. He almost refuses to go because of his sorrow. He didn’t want anyone but her. I know he is depressed because of his restraint to go to the party and see other girls. But later in Act II he tells Juliet he loves her on her balcony. This shows me he’s in love. I saw much change in both these main characters.
What makes this piece of writing
clear
?
How is the author organizing his/her main points?Slide9
Awesome student sample #2
During
Romeo and Juliet,
from Act I through Act II Romeo and Juliet both change a lot as well as in the way they look at things. In Act I, Juliet is quite a shy girl who follows all the rules and only does what her parents say. Juliet mentions she is not looking for love and does not want to rush into anything too serious because she is young. Romeo is very passionate and aggressive at first sight of Juliet. He saw someone he was interested in and made moves very quickly. Now, at the end of Act II, Juliet is more in love than ever. Before, when her mother tried to set her up with Paris, she didn’t want to rush into things, but here she is about to marry a guy she’s known for two days. Romeo is still very passionate about Juliet and is no longer sad. He has forgotten all about his lost love in the beginning of Act I and Juliet is the only thing on his mind.
What makes this piece of writing
clear?
How is the author organizing his/her main points?