Lab Activity 22: Comparing or Contrasting

Lab Activities
Lab Activity 22: Comparing or Contrasting

Objective To identify thesis statements and develop support points and specific details.

Step 1: For each topic given in the table below, list three similarities and three differences.


		1. Two career choices or college majors you are considering To create paragraphs in your essay response, type <p> at the beginning of the paragraph, and </p> at the end.

		2. Raising a pet and raising a child To create paragraphs in your essay response, type <p> at the beginning of the paragraph, and </p> at the end.

		*Step 2:* Choose a topic for a comparison or contrast essay. You may choose your own topic, one from Step 1, or one of the following: Two close friends Two jobs or two classes you've had Two sports you've played Two types of music Two books Two teachers Two homes of people you know Two towns or cities you know well Your topic: To create paragraphs in your essay response, type <p> at the beginning of the paragraph, and </p> at the end.

		*Step 3:* Take five or ten minutes for prewriting about your topic to get yourself started. Consider writing a question-and-answer list (i.e., ask yourself a question and provide one or two answers). To create paragraphs in your essay response, type <p> at the beginning of the paragraph, and </p> at the end.

		*Step 4:* Write a thesis statement for a comparison or contrast essay. Be sure to clarify whether you are comparing or contrasting. Your thesis statement: To create paragraphs in your essay response, type <p> at the beginning of the paragraph, and </p> at the end.

		*Step 5:* Review the prewriting and thesis statement you wrote in Steps 3 and 4. Write your support points—areas of comparison or contrast—and specific details. Then, organize your support points and details using the all-of-one-side or the point-by-point strategy. To create paragraphs in your essay response, type <p> at the beginning of the paragraph, and </p> at the end.

		*Step 6:* Now, write a rough draft of an introductory paragraph for your essay. You may want to map out for your reader the main idea and support points of your essay, explaining exactly how you plan to proceed. Or, you may want to begin your comparison or contrast right here, waiting until your conclusion to express your point of view. Don't worry about getting it perfect at this point. Adding details and fine-tuning transitions can come later. To create paragraphs in your essay response, type <p> at the beginning of the paragraph, and </p> at the end.

		*Step 7:* Next, write a rough draft of the body paragraphs for your essay. Use the support points and details you wrote in Step 5. You may also want to do more prewriting to come up with more support points and details. To create paragraphs in your essay response, type <p> at the beginning of the paragraph, and </p> at the end.

		*Step 8:* Now, write a rough draft of a concluding paragraph for your essay. You may want to include a summary of your comparison or contrast, or you may choose to express here the conclusion you have drawn from your comparison or contrast. To create paragraphs in your essay response, type <p> at the beginning of the paragraph, and </p> at the end.