Compare and Contrast

Overview

 Use the writing process steps to develop a well-written compare and contrast paragraph. Keep in mind that the three characteristics of a good paragraph are unity, support, and coherence.

The final draft of the work, with all supporting work (reflection, prewriting notes, outline, and first draft). Please upload a single document containing all of your work.

The work should be 250 to 350 words long, using Times New Roman or Calibri font, size 12, double-spaced. Your paragraph should also include a heading, a title, and an indent. 

Step 1: Prewriting

A compare paragraph compares two subjects, discusses how they are alike, and lists a few examples. On the other hand, a contrast paragraph discusses the differences between two subjects and, again, lists a few examples. The compare and contrast paragraph does both: it tells how two subjects are alike and how they are different.

 Once you have a topic, spend about 10 minutes gathering your thoughts about your topic. See the tips on prewriting.

Ask yourself:

· What two subjects would you like to compare and contrast?

· What are the similarities and differences between your two subjects?

Step 2: Planning

Consider the material you gathered in your prewriting and create an outline for your paragraph. Organize your ideas logically. You can use the following template for organization. See this week’s reading for an example.

Topic sentence

Compare                                 A                                              B

                                                               Detail 1               

                                                               Detail 2

                                                               Detail 3                                        

                                                               Detail 4

Contrast                         Detail 1                                     Detail 1

                                        Detail 2                                     Detail 2

                                        Detail 3                                     Detail 3

                                        Detail 4                                     Detail 4

Conclusion

Check your outline for unity, development, and coherence by asking yourself:

· Does your topic sentence clearly state that you will compare and contrast? And does it clearly identifies both subjects?

· Do your supporting details actually support the main idea? Delete anything off topic

· Do you have a list of parallel points of comparison and contrast for both A & B?

· Are your supporting details organized in a logical order?

Step 3: Drafting

Using that outline, write the first draft.

· “Flesh out” the ideas from your outline

· Include transitional words and phrases to create a flow between sentences. See this week’s reading for a list of transitions for a descriptive paragraph

· Compose a title for your work

Step 4: Polishing

Ask yourself:

· Are my sentences too long or too short?

· Do I have enough sentence variety?

· Are my words appropriate for academic purposes?

· Do I have any major grammatical errors (e.g., fragments, comma splices, or run-on sentences)?

· Do I have any spelling or mechanical errors?

· Are my verb tenses or persons (first, second, third) consistent?

· Are there verbs or adjectives I could replace with better ones (e.g., nice = cordial, amiable, gracious; do = accomplish, undertake, perform)? Let www.thesaurus.com (Links to an external site.) become your new best friend.

· Sentences are linked with repetition, pronouns, synonyms, and transitional expressions that indicate compare and contrast.

· The outline has a title, a topic sentence, some support, and a conclusion which reflects the rhetorical style and done according to the example in the digital book attached in uploads as an example.

· The comparison and contrast paragraph topic sentence clearly states the 2 subjects (persons, things, or ideas) to be compared and contrasted and clearly states that it will do both of these actions (compare and contrast).

· The paper follows MLA rules regarding heading, title, indent, double-spacing, and word count.