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Types of Essays. Compare/Contrast. What this type of essay is. A Compare/Contrast essay is an essay that explores the differences or similarities between two items. These essays are normally written in a fashion similar to other essays, but the body is slightly different.
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Types of Essays Compare/Contrast
What this type of essay is • A Compare/Contrast essay is an essay that explores the differences or similarities between two items. • These essays are normally written in a fashion similar to other essays, but the body is slightly different.
How to put this kind of essay together: • A Compare/Contrast essay, like most academic essays, with an introduction that contains a thesis. This paragraph is nearly identical to an ordinary introduction. • The body, however, can be written in two different ways: • Block format • Alternating format
Block • A Compare/Contrast essay that uses this format is laid out in the following way: • I. Introduction, including thesis • II. Paragraph discussing the first item in the comparison • III Paragraph discussing the second item in the comparison • IV Conclusion
Example • An outline for a Compare/Contrast essay that compares two movies would look like this: • I. Introduction. Thesis statement: Alien is a better science fiction movie than Plan 9 from Outer Space. • II. Alien has good special effects, has good, well-known actors, and has a fairly well-though-out script. • III. Plan 9 from Outer Space has poor special effects, untalented and largely unknown actors, and an implausible, poorly written script. • IV. Conclusion
Alternating • This format is organized in the following way: • I. Introduction, including thesis. • II. Paragraph about topic 1. Both items in the comparison are judged in light of this topic. • III. Paragraph about topic 2. Both items in the comparison are judged in light of this topic. • IV. Paragraph about topic 3. Both items in the comparison are judged in light of this topic. • V. Conclusion
Example • The following is an outline for a Compare/Contrast essay that uses this format: • I. Introduction. Thesis statement: Alien is a better science fiction movie than Plan 9 from Outer Space. • II. Special effects. Alien has good special effects. Plan 9 from Outer Space has poor special effects. • III. Casting and Acting Ability. Alien has good, well-known actors. Plan 9 from Outer Space has untalented and largely unknown actors. • IV. Script Quality. Alien has a fairly well-though-out script. Plan 9 from Outer Space has an implausible, poorly written script. • V. Conclusion
Practice • Before writing a Compare/Contrast essay yourself, practice with some simple topics, making outlines based on one of the two formats. • Consider the following practice exercises: • Compare one restaurant to another. Which is better? • Is college like high school or is it completely different?
Our Assignment: • For our compare/contrast essay, we will answer the following question: • After having read Rodriguez’s “Complexion” and Staples’ “Just Walk on By,” are Rodriguez’s and Staples’ experiences with oppression based on their skin color largely similar or different?