The Comparative The Comparative EssayEssay

The Introductory ParagraphThe Introductory Paragraph Begin general, gradually becoming more Begin general, gradually becoming more

specific. specific.

Step 1:Step 1: The General StatementThe General Statement Step 2:Step 2: The Narrowing StatementThe Narrowing Statement Step 3:Step 3: Introduction of your Introduction of your authorauthor and and

texttext, along with theme of essay and your , along with theme of essay and your three major arguments.three major arguments.

Step 4:Step 4: Thesis StatementThesis Statement

The Thesis StatementThe Thesis Statement Your thesis statement Your thesis statement must bemust be

argumentativeargumentative – this means the argument – this means the argument is debatable.is debatable.

It has an It has an opinionopinion and a and a topic.topic. It becomes the It becomes the focusfocus for your entire essay for your entire essay

– every other sentence in your essay seeks – every other sentence in your essay seeks to prove this statement.to prove this statement.

Your thesis must consider the comparison Your thesis must consider the comparison you will be discussing.you will be discussing.

E.g.E.g.In the book In the book 19 Minutes 19 Minutes and the film and the film Life as a HouseLife as a House, we see families , we see families struggle to stay together amidst the pressures of modern life. Each of struggle to stay together amidst the pressures of modern life. Each of these stories explores the effect of the dysfunctional family unit on an these stories explores the effect of the dysfunctional family unit on an adolescent child. Both Peter and Bob, the teenage sons of these families, adolescent child. Both Peter and Bob, the teenage sons of these families, go through trauma which leaves them forever changed. Each boys’ fate is go through trauma which leaves them forever changed. Each boys’ fate is different, but both of their stories teach us that the family unit has an different, but both of their stories teach us that the family unit has an immense impact on adolescent identity and belonging.immense impact on adolescent identity and belonging.

Thesis CraftingThesis Crafting

Response to a question about your topicResponse to a question about your topic

B-Storm: free write, mind map, dot jotB-Storm: free write, mind map, dot jot

How easy will this essay be to defend?How easy will this essay be to defend?

The OutlineThe Outline

Graphic organizer, loose-leaf page, Graphic organizer, loose-leaf page, word document- what works best for word document- what works best for you?you?

THESISTHESIS Includes dot jots/proofs (quotations & Includes dot jots/proofs (quotations &

page refs) explanationpage refs) explanation Maps out organizationMaps out organization Due date & rubricDue date & rubric

Body Paragraph – General Body Paragraph – General InfoInfo

You must have a clear You must have a clear topic sentencetopic sentence at the at the beginning of each body paragraph. beginning of each body paragraph.

All your points must be substantiated by a proof All your points must be substantiated by a proof (in the form of a quotation). (in the form of a quotation).

You will always follow the point-proof-explanation You will always follow the point-proof-explanation (ppe) format, follow by the appropriate citation.(ppe) format, follow by the appropriate citation.

PointPoint = the first way you are proving your = the first way you are proving your argument. argument.

ProofProof = appropriately formatted quotation = appropriately formatted quotation– 4 lines or less of text = woven into the body of your 4 lines or less of text = woven into the body of your

work.work.– 5 lines or more of text = 5 lines or more of text = ‘‘boxedboxed’’ / offset from the body of / offset from the body of

your work, and single spaced.your work, and single spaced. ExplanationExplanation = the analysis. = the analysis.

Block ArrangementBlock Arrangement I Intro in which you state your purpose which is to discuss I Intro in which you state your purpose which is to discuss

the similarities/differences between vacationing in the the similarities/differences between vacationing in the mountains or at the beachmountains or at the beach

II MountainII Mountain A. ClimateA. Climate B. Types of ActivitiesB. Types of Activities C. LocationC. Location III BeachIII Beach A. ClimateA. Climate B. Types of ActivitiesB. Types of Activities C. LocationC. Location IV ConclusionIV Conclusion

Point By PointPoint By Point I Intro in which you state your purpose which is to discuss the I Intro in which you state your purpose which is to discuss the

similarities/differences between vacationing in the mountains or at the similarities/differences between vacationing in the mountains or at the beachbeach

II Similarity between mountains & beaches in climateII Similarity between mountains & beaches in climate A. MountainsA. Mountains B. BeachB. Beach C. MountainsC. Mountains D. BeachD. Beach III First Difference between mountains & beaches are types of activitiesIII First Difference between mountains & beaches are types of activities A. MountainsA. Mountains B. BeachB. Beach C. MountainsC. Mountains D. BeachD. Beach IV Second Difference between mountains & beaches is the locationIV Second Difference between mountains & beaches is the location A. MountainsA. Mountains B. BeachB. Beach C. MountainsC. Mountains D. BeachD. Beach V Conclusion- which one is ultimately betterV Conclusion- which one is ultimately better

Character by Character - Character by Character - BlockBlock

Variation of point by pointVariation of point by point I Intro in which you state your purpose which is to discuss the I Intro in which you state your purpose which is to discuss the

similarities/differences between vacationing in the mountains or at similarities/differences between vacationing in the mountains or at the beachthe beach

II Similarity between mountains and beach is climateII Similarity between mountains and beach is climate A. Mountains- 2-3 pointsA. Mountains- 2-3 points B. Beach- 2-3 pointsB. Beach- 2-3 points III First difference between mountains and beaches are types of III First difference between mountains and beaches are types of

activitiesactivities A. Mountains- 2-3 pointsA. Mountains- 2-3 points B. Beach- 2-3 pointsB. Beach- 2-3 points IV Second Difference between mountains & beaches is the locationIV Second Difference between mountains & beaches is the location A. Mountains- 2-3 pointsA. Mountains- 2-3 points B. Beach- 2-3 pointsB. Beach- 2-3 points V ConclusionV Conclusion

Essay OrganizationEssay Organization

Each body paragraph has a clear Each body paragraph has a clear topic sentencetopic sentence which states the which states the comparison you will be drawing and comparison you will be drawing and introduce the main argument for this introduce the main argument for this paragraph.paragraph.

You will need to integrate 12 You will need to integrate 12 quotes/proofsquotes/proofs

Concluding Paragraph Concluding Paragraph

Similar to the format you have been taught Similar to the format you have been taught in the past.in the past.

Re-state (in an original manner) your thesis Re-state (in an original manner) your thesis statement and your main arguments.statement and your main arguments.

Include reflective thought – leave your Include reflective thought – leave your reader thinking.reader thinking.

Basically, wrap up your essay with Basically, wrap up your essay with eloquence.eloquence.

DO NOT introduce any new ideas!DO NOT introduce any new ideas!

Rough Draft(s)Rough Draft(s)

Complete sentences, paragraph Complete sentences, paragraph structure, topic & concluding sentencestructure, topic & concluding sentence

Link paragraphs with transition words Link paragraphs with transition words or repetition of wordsor repetition of words

Evidence of process, changes, Evidence of process, changes, additions, modifications (track additions, modifications (track changes or handwritten)changes or handwritten)

Due: ____________________Due: ____________________

EditingEditing Variety of sentence types & lengths, no run-Variety of sentence types & lengths, no run-

onsons TransitionsTransitions Formal dictionFormal diction Topic & Concluding sentences linkedTopic & Concluding sentences linked Present TensePresent Tense Trustworthy Editor: what parts are not fully Trustworthy Editor: what parts are not fully

explained? What questions does your editor explained? What questions does your editor have? Consider what should be changed. have? Consider what should be changed. Maintain your own voice- your paper should Maintain your own voice- your paper should sound like you.sound like you.

ProofreadingProofreading

Never refer to yourself in the first personNever refer to yourself in the first person ( (““II””, , ““My My opinionopinion””, , ““MeMe””, etc.), etc.)

Do not use contractionsDo not use contractions (ie. use (ie. use ““cannotcannot”” vs. vs. ““cancan’’tt ””) in your writing . . . Use contractions only in the ) in your writing . . . Use contractions only in the original quotation.original quotation.– Citation ex.:Citation ex.: ““Hi, buddy. WhatHi, buddy. What’’s up?s up?”” (Kronby, 25). (Kronby, 25).

Read aloud to catch awkward sentences, missing Read aloud to catch awkward sentences, missing words, typos.words, typos.

MLAMLA Give your essay an Give your essay an original title original title andand

number your pagesnumber your pages UnderlineUnderline or or ItalicizeItalicize your novel titles.your novel titles. Double spaceDouble space your essay (apart from long your essay (apart from long

quotations).quotations). First page- left corner: your name, course, First page- left corner: your name, course,

teacher, dateteacher, date Pagination: begin on pg 2- right corner- Pagination: begin on pg 2- right corner-

last name & page #last name & page # You must have a properly formatted You must have a properly formatted works works

citedcited – on a separate sheet(do not page – on a separate sheet(do not page #). Use MLA style.#). Use MLA style.