Name:_____________________
Hour and A or B day:________
Date:____________
Informational
Compare and Contrast
Writing Unit

8 sentences

Indent paragraph

Highlight transitions X7 (followed by a comma)

COPS/SULLIED 16/FINICKY 5/CAPITALIZE THIS

PERFECT copy may be typed (16 pt. font/Times New Roman)

DOUBLE space (meaning skip every other line)

Use your rubric and turn in stapled
COMPARE and CONTRAST
Preparing:
Choose two topics that have basic similarities and differences.
Narrow your topics from broad to be very specific.
Ask yourself…
VEN
How are my two subjects alike?
Use
a
ND
IAG
RA
M!
COMPARE THE SUBJECTS
How are my two subjects different?
CONTRAST THE SUBJECTS
Writing:
Start with a thesis that summarizes the text.
key
e
h
T
Use BLOCK STYLE
ality
u
q
is
Write about ONE subject first.
!
ILS
TA
DE
Write about SECOND subject next.
End with a conclusion that restates the thesis.
sample TRANSITION WORDS:
N
IN ADDITION
O
RIS
A
MP
O
NC
ON TH
I
E OTH
ER HA
ND
BU
ALSO
T
L AS
L
E
SW
BOTH
A
EVE
N TH
OUG
R
W
HO
E
EV
H
WHILE
8 Sentence Compare Contrast Paragraph
Directions: You will be writing a compare-contrast 8 sentence paragraph comparing two subjects using the block method.
Your paragraph must follow the format below:
(1)Introduction sentence (thesis) that mentions
both subjects with their similarities and differences
(2)First subject sentence

The 2nd through 8th
sentence must begin with a
transition
(3)Point one
(4)Point two
followed by a comma.
(5)Second subject sentence

Pay close attention to
transition choice.

(6)Point one
(7)Point two
Highlight all transitions.
(8)Conclusion (restating the thesis in a new way)
Example paragraph:
While Mrs. Teachwell and Mr. Swagtastic both teach 6th grade at Brainiac
Middle School, they are unique in the subjects that they teach. First, Mrs.
Teachwell has a love for all things science related. For example, she parades preserved animals with pride. In addition, she is the school expert when it comes to
anything medically related. On the other hand, Mr. Swagtastic’s passion is literature in all forms. To begin with, he can recommend a novel in any genre, especially science fiction. Supportively, he displays writing tools for his students on a Spartan green background. Clearly, Mrs. Teachwell and Mr. Swagtastic both have much
to offer the Brainiac family.
Compare and Contrast Ideas:
1. Middle School and High School
2. Major fashion trends of another era with those of today
3. Having a dog as a pet to having a cat as a pet
4. The usefulness of English and math in school and beyond
5. The entertainment value of movies versus books
6. Public versus private education
7. PlayStation versus Xbox
8. The effectiveness of multiple choice testing versus essay testing
9. Football versus baseball
10. Shopping online and shopping in a mall or store
11. Renting a video and going out to the movies
12. Windows versus Macintosh computers
13. Teenage boys and teenage girls
14. Two of your teachers
15. How you spend your weekdays versus weekends
16. Having a substitute teacher versus your regular teacher
17. Mondays versus Fridays
18. Using the internet for research versus printed materials
19. One of your friends with another
20. The princesses in two different fairy tales
Other:
21. ________________________________________________________________
22. ________________________________________________________________
23. ________________________________________________________________
Compare and Contrast Ideas Cont. :
1. Circle your favorite choice.
2. Brainstorm that choice by writing EVERY.SINGLE.THING. that you can think of to do with that choice!
eight Sentences…
Compare &contrast
Brainstorming Box
(1) thesis stating both subjects
(2) first subject
(3) point one
(4) point two
(5) second subject
(6) point one
(7) point two
(8) conclusion restating thesis
WRITING HOOKS
 Action
for COMPARE and CONTRAST
—strong verbs
 Analogy
*best are underlined
-comparison using simile or metaphor
 Command to the reader
-tell them to do something
 Bold statement
– shock value
 Definition
Good w
riters be
– actually define word
 Interesting fact
-did not previously know
 Interjection
a hook
that ma
kes read
ers
want to
continu
e readin
g!
—!
 Character’s thought or feelings
 Foreshadowing
-mostly in narrative
-hint @ future—mostly in narrative
 Onomatopoeia
-sounds: bang, pow
 Opinion
-yours
 Questions
-?
 Theme statement
-mostly in narrative
 Verbal picture of setting
gin with
–great for personal narrative, but not compare and contrast
ARE
P
M
O
for C NTRAST
CO
and
USE TRANSITIONS TO:

Communicate by CLARIFYING
Put another way, it doesn’t hurt to say it twice.

Link sections of the text by ADDING INFORMATION
Additionally, chewing gum has been linked to cavities.

Communicate sequence by ENUMERATING SETS
First, complete your work.
Next, please turn in your paper to the teacher.
Last, check Pinnacle for your grade.

Shift order or setting by SHOWING TIME and LOCATION
Afterward, my friends all thanked me for my help.
Above the cupboard, the basket held his family recipes.

Show relationships by COMPARING AND CONTRASTING
Similarly, teachers love to read.

Build a tone or suspense by EMPHASIZING a POINT
Indeed, the room went completely black and silent.
TRANSITIONS — COMPARE and CONTRAST
CLARIFY
EMP
HASI
ZE
ple,
For exam
To clarify,
Again
ce,
For instan
For th
ted,
Simply sta
t,
te the poin
To illustra
ords,
In other w
erently,
Stated diff
ON
CATI
O
L
OW
SH
Next
A PO
INT
e left
To th
is rea
this in
son,
mind
…
e the
Abov
,
of …
midd
In the
Indee
d,
With
…
to the
In fro
,
le of…
nt of…
d
Beyon
the…
ENUMERATE IN SETS
COMPARE
First—Second—Third
Similarly,
CONTRAST
In the same way,
On the other hand,
Also,
Even though…
One important—Equally important—Most important
First—Next—Last
One—Also—In addition
But,
ZE
MMARI
U
S
R
O
E
NCLUD
IME
SHOW T
rd,
Afterwa
ile,
Meanwh
CO
ADD INFO
RMATION
Additionall
y,
Last,
For examp
Finally,
As well as…
eanIn the m
time,
me
At the sa
time,
le,
For instanc
e,
Next,
Also,
,
All in all
Finally,
ary,
In summ
Therefo
re,
Clearly,
g,
In closin
In conclu
sion,
Lastly,
The 8-Sentence Compare & contrast Paragraph
(1)Introduction Sentence/Thesis (hook): ______________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
(2)1st Subject (transition): ____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
(3)Point One (transition): _____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
(4) Point Two (transition): ____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
(5) 2nd Subject (transition): _________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
(6) Point One (transition): ____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
(7) Point Two (transition): ____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
(8)Conclusion/Restatement of Thesis (transition): ____________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
COPS
for COMPARE and CONTRAST
Capitalization
Titles, proper nouns, first word of sentence, etc.
Use the Capitalize This Rules
Organization
Depends of type of writing
Beginning, middle, end = Plot Sequence/Narrative
Intro, body, conclusion = Essay/Informational
1(intro)+3(first subject)+3 (second subject) + 1(conc.)=
8 sentences
Punctuation
DOL it
Check for the SULLIED 16 and FINICKY 5
(comma rules)
Spelling
Do your best
Word choice matters too, don’t be afraid to use your full vocabulary
SULLIED 16
your = possession
you’re = you are
where = location (here)
wear = display, diminish
pos
s
we’re = we are
ess
ion
=t
ob
elo
ng
to
were = past tense verb
it’s = it is
.
emory
m
r
u
h yo
rd
Refres
16 wo
d
e
i
l
l
se a Su
u
u
e full
o
n
y
o
If
e
s
lo
u will
o
y
,
y
l
t
c
ment.
e
n
r
g
r
i
o
s
c
s
a
in
on the
e
d
a
r
g
N!
LEA
STAY C
its = possession
there = location (here)
their = possession
they’re = they are
too = excessive, also
to = direction
our = possession
are = present tense verb
Finicky 5
1. Items is a series or list.
I love cooking, my pets, and family.
2.Join independent clauses in a compound sentence.
I had reading to finish, so I sat on the couch with my book.
3.Interrupters.
Mrs. Sabella, do you like Michigan State University?
4.Introductory elements or transitions.
In order to be successful writing, you must use commas.
5.Conventional situations.
Today is Wednesday, June 14, 2019.
Capitalize This
1. The first word of every sentence.
Do you have homework?
2. The pronoun, I.
Last night I watched a movie.
3. The first, last, and important
words in a title.
The movie, The Incredible Hulk, was fun!
4. Proper nouns.
Mrs. Sabella loves Michigan State University.
5. Substitutions for names of people.
I love Grandma’s apple pie.
Name: ______________________ Date: _________ Hour: _____ circle one: A day B day
Format and Grading Rubric for Compare-Contrast Essay
First Sentence—Introduction (THESIS):
Capture your reader’s attention with a strong beginning (hook)
5 points
__________
Identify both subjects at the beginning of the essay
5 points
__________
Use the block method
5 points
__________
First subject sentence, Point one, Point two
15 points
__________
Second subject sentence, Point one, Point two
15 points
__________
Support your points of comparison with details and examples
10 points
__________
Sum up the main points about your subjects
10 points
__________
Restate your main idea
10 points
__________
Second - Seventh Sentence—Body:
Eighth Sentence—Conclusion:
Overall:
COPS
5 points
__________
Interesting word choice
5 points
__________
Transitions (highlighted and followed by a comma)
5 points
__________
Sentence structure and flow
5 points
__________
Neatly written or typed—double spaced (16 point Time New Roman font)
5 points
__________
Total
100 points __________
***You will automatically be marked down one full grade (ten points)
for using any of the Sullied 16 words incorrectly!
Review the Sullied 16 and Finicky 5 before you proofread and edit your essay!
Sullied 16: it’s, its, our, are, a lot, their, there, they’re, your, you’re, to, too, wear, where, we’re, were
Finicky 5 Comma Rules: 1. items in a series 2. compound sentences 3. interrupters 4. introductory elements 5. conventional situations