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Getting Started: Free Writing
Identify the two subjects that you will be comparing/contrasting and
write several paragraphs about each one. Don't be concerned at this point
about how the two are similar or different. Simply spill out everything
you know about each subject. Work quickly, and don't stop to judge or
edit what you've written. If you are in the World Geography course, look at your earlier research for all the details you found to support
each case.
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Making Lists
Make a list of the similarities between your subjects, and on a separate
page make a list of the differences. Again, do this quickly and without
considering whether each idea is good or not; simply spill all of your
thoughts onto paper.
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Evaluating your lists
Review your lists and look for one or two points that are surprising,
puzzling or contradictory. Did you find a similarity or difference (or
a group of similarities and differences) that you didn't expect? Did you
find something that is hard to expla in or understand? Circle these ideas,
and then write a few sentences that explain what the similarity/difference
is and why it is surprising or contradictory. Try using these sample sentences
to get you started:
Most people would expect __________ [about my subjects] __________
, but in fact __________ is true.
[My subjects] seem __________ because __________, but in fact they
are __________ because __________.
If you can't find any points that are surprising, puzzling, or contradictory,
imagine that you are explaining your two subjects to another student who
hasn't taken this class yet. What would this student assume about your
subjects? What would surpris e him or her? You might want to discuss this
point with a tutor, friend, or classmate.
If you still can't find any similarities or differences that are surprising,
puzzling or contradictory, you might want to consider changing subjects.
If your assignment allows you to choose what to compare, select one or
two new subjects and begin aga in with free writing.
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Thinking Critically:
Using the points that you've circled, ask yourself the following questions.
Write down your answers in paragraphs.
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What causes these similarities and/or differences?
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What effect (or cost) do they have on the subjects? On society?
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What do the similarities and/or differences show about your subjects? About
society?
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Posing an Interesting Problem:
You are now ready to "pose a problem," which is the most important
part of your essay. Imagine that your reader is looking at your essay and
thinking "Why should I care about this?" When you pose a problem, you explain
to this reader that there is some thing important about your subject (a
"problem") and that you (the writer) have a "solution." Most writers use
their introductory paragraphs to pose their problem, so when you have completed
this exercise, you will have written most of your introduction already.
Reread what you wrote in all of the exercises above, and then try using
the following sample sentences to begin posing your problem. NOTE: Posing
a problem can be difficult, so don't try to make it perfect on the first
try. Plan to write and revise th ese sentences several times. Ask a tutor
for help if you get stuck.
[My subjects] are similar/different in that __________. This
similarity/difference is surprising/contradictory/unexpected because. .
.
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it contradicts__________.
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we would expect __________.
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most people think __________.
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it uncovers __________.
It is important to rethink [my subjects] in this way because. . .
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it keeps us from misinterpreting __________.
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it helps us understand __________.
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if we don't, we might overlook __________.
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Writing an Outline:
There is no single "correct" way to organize a comparison/contrast
essay. As with most essays, the only "right" choice is the one that allows
you to communicate effectively. Below are two options to consider. Try
both and see which one you prefer, or make up a form of your own.
|
Style A
|
Style B
|
| Introduction: Pose Your Problem |
Introduction: Pose Your Problem |
| What people thinkor expect about {my subjects] |
A difference/similarity that people expect to true about [my subjects].
The difference/similarity that is actually true |
| What is true about [my subjects] |
A difference/similarity that people expect to be true about [my subjects].
The diference/similairty that is actually true |
| Conclusion |
Conclusion |
Now
look at a rubric to see if you've covered all the bases and will get a
great mark!
GO BACK TO ISP OUTLINE
go back to course outline
go back to grade 11
comparison project
Writing Comparison/Contrast
Essays