Writing Workshop
Expository Writing: Comparison-Contrast
Essay
Comparison-Contrast Essay
Assignment: Write an essay that compares and
contrasts two literary works, characters, or
subjects. Your teacher and your classmates will be
your audience.
Comparing and contrasting is a good way to
increase your understanding of two or more things.
You look at similarities when you compare. You
look at differences when you contrast.
Comparison-Contrast Essay
Feature Menu
Choosing a Topic
Finding Points of Comparison
Organizing Your Information
Getting Started
Assignment
Comparison-Contrast Essay
Choosing a Topic
Your goal is to find two literary characters, works,
or subjects that have at least one important
feature in common. Take a minute to think about
selections you’ve already read.
stories and
novels
poems and
plays
articles and
essays
Comparison-Contrast Essay
Choosing a Topic
You can also explore the Table of Contents of
your literature book. You might choose
• two characters who face similar problems
Each main character must participate in a rite of
passage in “Celebrating the Quinceañera” and
“Ta-Na-E-Ka.”
• two literary works with similar subjects
The writers of “Ode to Mi Gato” and “In a
Neighborhood in Los Angeles” both honor something
special.
Comparison-Contrast Essay
Choosing a Topic
You can also explore the Table of Contents of
your literature book. You might choose
• two versions of a work
“King Long Shanks” is a different version of “The
Emperor’s New Clothes.”
• two similar themes
“Two Frogs and the Milk Vat” and “A Bubble Bursts”
both focus on having a positive attitude and not
giving up.
Comparison-Contrast Essay
Finding Points of Comparison
Once you’ve chosen a pair of selections for your
essay, use a chart to examine them one at a time.
The girl from “Celebrating
the Quinceañera”
feels special
fifteenth birthday
Mexican
formal dress and tiara
surrounded by family
dances and eats good food
Comparison-Contrast Essay
Finding Points of Comparison
Once you’ve chosen a pair of selections for your
essay, use a chart to examine them one at a time.
Mary from “Ta-Na-E-Ka”
frightened; having nightmares
Kaw Indian
eleventh birthday
alone in wilderness five days
barefoot in bathing suit
supposed to forage for food
Comparison-Contrast Essay
Finding Points of Comparison
As you review your charts, ask yourself, “How are
my subjects alike? How are they different?”
Celebrating the
Quinceañera
Ta-Na-E-Ka
Comparison-Contrast Essay
Prewriting: Finding Points of Comparison
A Venn diagram can help you sort your ideas.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
15 years old
Mexican
Quinceañera
excited
formal; tiara
with family
delicious food
•
•
•
•
•
•
girls
rite of passage •
traditional dress •
•
successful
•
passage
•
11 years
Kaw Indian
Ta-Na-E-Ka
frightened
bathing suit
alone
forage for food
Comparison-Contrast Essay
Organizing Your Information
To be sure you’ll have enough to write about, you
need to identify three points of comparison, or
features. Look back at your literary selections if
you need more information.
“Celebrating the Quinceañera” and “Ta-Na-E-Ka”
Feature 1: the rite of passage
Feature 2:
how the character feels
about her challenge
Feature 3:
the ceremony’s outcome
Comparison-Contrast Essay
Organizing Your Information
Now, you can choose a pattern of organization.
One pattern is the block method.
Subject 1:
Quinceañera
Feature 1: the rite of passage
Feature 2: how the character feels
Feature 3: the ceremony’s outcome
Subject 2:
Ta-Na-E-Ka
Feature 1: the rite of passage
Feature 2: how the character feels
Feature 3:
The writer
discusses this
first.
the ceremony’s outcome
The writer
discusses this
next.
Comparison-Contrast Essay
Organizing Your Information
Another option for organizing your essay is the
point-by-point method.
Feature 1:
Subject 1:
Subject 2:
Feature 2:
Subject 1:
Subject 2:
Feature 3:
the rite of passage
Quinceañera
Ta-Na-E-Ka
how the character feels
Quinceañera
Ta-Na-E-Ka
the ceremony’s outcome
Subject 1:
Quinceañera
Subject 2:
Ta-Na-E-Ka
The writer
discusses this
first.
The writer
discusses this
second.
The writer
discusses this
third.
Comparison-Contrast Essay
Getting Started
You’ve done a lot of thinking, planning, and
organizing. Now, it’s time to put it all together as
you draft your comparison-contrast essay.
Writing Workshop
Expository Writing: Comparison-Contrast
Essay
The End