"Fish Cheeks" and "Champion of the World" Comparison and Contrast Essay

ESL 160 Erin Lofthouse Writing a Compare/Contrast Essay A very common type of essay assigned in college courses is the Comparison and Contrast Essay. In this type of essay, students are expected to examine and analyze two elements. These elements could be many things, for example stories, essays, theories, people, books, etc.

➢ A comparison essay notes either similarities, or similarities and differences. ➢ A contrast essay notes only the differences ➢ The comparison or contrast should make a point or serve a purpose. Often such essays do

one of the following:

▪ Clarify something unknown or not well understood. ▪ Lead to a fresh insight or new way of viewing something. ▪ Bring one or both of the subjects into sharper focus. ▪ Show that one subject is better than the other.

➢ The thesis statement can present the subjects and indicate whether they will be compared, contrasted, or both.

➢ The same points should be discussed for both subjects; it is not necessary, however, to give both subjects the same degree of development.

➢ Some common organizational structures include: ▪ Block method (subject by subject) ▪ Point by point ▪ Comparisons followed by contrasts (or the reverse)

➢ Use detailed topic sentences and the following connecting words (conjunctive adverbs) to make the relationship between your subjects clear to the reader:

Connecters That Show Comparison (Similarities) In addition Correspondingly Compared to Similarly Just as As well as Likewise Same as At the same time Connectors That Show Contrast (Differences) However On the contrary On the other hand Even though Unlike Although In contrast Conversely Meanwhile On the next page, you can see examples of the two most common types of comparison and contrast essays: Point by Point and Block.

POINT-BY-POINT METHOD BLOCK METHOD

Intro ¶

• Introduction of general topic

• Specific topic

• Thesis = areas to be covered in this essay: Both cats and dogs make excellent pets, but a good choice depends on the pet owner’s lifestyle, finances, and household accommodations.

• Introduction of general topic

• Specific topic

• Thesis = areas to be covered in this essay: Both cats and dogs make excellent pets, but a good choice depends on the pet owner’s lifestyle, finances, and household accommodations.

BP ¶ 1

Topic Sentence – Aspect 1 Owner’s lifestyle. Topic 1 – Aspect 1: Cats

• Detail: Don’t have to be watched during the day.

• Detail: Easier to get care if owner travels.

Topic 2 – Aspect 1: Dogs

• Detail: Pack animals shouldn’t be left alone.

• Detail: Harder to get care when away

Topic Sentence – Aspect 1 Cats are easier and less expensive to care for. Aspect 1: Lifestyle

• Detail: Don’t have to be watched during the day

• Detail: Easier to get care if owner travels Aspect 2: Cost

• Detail: Food and health care are usually less expensive

• Detail: Less likely to cause property damage Aspect 3: House accommodations

• Detail: Often need yard and fence

• Detail: Require more safety and protective measures

BP ¶ 2

Topic Sentence – Aspect 2 Cats are less expensive to own and care for. Topic 1 – Aspect 2: Cats

• Detail: Food and health care are usually less expensive

• Detail: Less likely to cause property damage.

Topic 2 – Aspect 2: Dogs

• Detail: Food is more expensive

• Detail: Over-breading causes some health problems.

Topic Sentence – Topic 2 Dogs are active and loyally engaging pets. Aspect 1 – Lifestyle

• Detail: Pack animals shouldn’t be left alone

• Detail: Harder to get care when away. Need more space Aspect 2 – Cost

• Detail: Food is more expensive

• Detail: Over-breeding causes some health problems Aspect 3 – House accommodations

• Detail: Often need yard and fence

• Detail: Require more safety and protective measures

BP ¶ 3

Topic Sentence – Aspect 3 Cats need few special house accommodations. Topic 1 – Aspect 3: Cats

• Detail: Don’t take up much space

• Detail: Less intrusive Topic 2 – Aspect 3: Dogs

• Detail: Often need yard and fence

• Detail: Require more safety and protective measures

Optional: develop a paragraph to evaluate the comparison made in the essay: Last summer, I was considering adopting a pet, so I visited the SPCA to gather more information about cats and dogs. I am a full-time student and work part time in the evenings, so my lifestyle and schedule didn’t seem conducive to owning a dog like I had originally planned. Now that I’ve had my cat Cooke for a few months, I see that she’s the perfect fit and great companion for me.

Conc ¶

• Summary of main points

• Evaluation and/or possible future developments

Significance of topic to author: When considering adopting a pet, a prospective owner must consider the lifestyles, finances, and household accommodations that the pet would require. Owners who neglect to compare these aspects will often not care for their pet in a safe manner.

• Summary of main points

• Evaluation and/or possible future developments Significance of topic to author: When considering adopting a pet, a prospective owner must consider the lifestyle, finances, and household accommodations that the pet would require. Owners who neglect to compare these aspects will often not care for their pet in a safe manner.