Components of Effective Writing
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1. Thesis Statement
• What is a thesis statement?
• Where does it go?
• What does it do?
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A strong thesis statement for a comparison/contrast essay:
• Contains an idea or claim that links the two items being compared
Example ­ "In terms of social networking sites, Facebook focuses on presenting your daily life to others, whereas Tumblr allows you to focus more on demonstrating your personal style."
• Doesn't focus on the obvious or too specific
Example ­ "Horses and cats are different because horses are larger than cats."
• BUT isn't too broad, either
Example ­ "Though they are both Will Ferrell movies, Anchorman and Stepbrothers are very different from one another."
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Review the following sample thesis statements. Are they strong or weak?
1. Strawberry and mint chocolate chip are both types of ice cream, but they are very different from one another.
2. While Batman and Ironman are both superheroes who aim to preserve the greater good, their characters, motivations, and powers are different.
3. "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" and "Law & Order" are both crime shows, but the plot of "CSI" focuses more on "whodunit," while "Law & Order" places emphasis on finding justice after the fact.
4. While Aladdin and The Little Mermaid are both Disney movies, the princesses in them are different.
5. Though both "Nacho Cheese" and "Cool Ranch" are types of Doritos, the two chips have essential variations in color, taste, and popularity.
6. The play Romeo and Juliet and the movie Titanic have different plots reflecting different time periods, but the two works display important similarities in characterization, themes, and cultural significance.
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Composing an effective comparison/contrast thesis statement:
• Use words like "though," "however," "both," and "while" to set up a comparison/contrast
While both works...
• Start with a key similarity or difference
...have the same setting...
• Then list the key points of comparison you will elaborate on in your body paragraphs
....the characters and themes...
• And say what effect these key similarities/differences have
....create a different tone.
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Begin drafting your thesis statement for your comparison/contrast essay according to the tips provided.
When you're done:
• Pair up with someone next to you
• Trade thesis statements
• Make a comment/recommendation
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2. Introductory Paragraph
• What does the introductory paragraph do?
• What are some key components the introductory paragraph must include?
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An effective introduction must have:
• A broad, interesting opening sentence
Ben Stiller is famous for starring in widely popular comedic movies. Two of his most famous movies are Dodgeball and Zoolander.
• A broad overview of your key points (you can also give some background on each work, including plot)
The movies are both entertaining, but for different reasons. The characters and plots are very different, with Dodgeball centering around an underdog dodgeball team and Zoolander focusing on a washed out male model. However, the theme of the power of persistency is apparent in each movie, conveyed in both through quick, slapstick humor.
• Your thesis statement
In his popular movies Dodgeball and Zoolander, Ben Stiller uses different characters and plot elements to convey similar themes and humor.
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Draft your introductory paragraph. Remember to include an effective thesis statement.
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REVIEW
• Thesis statement?
• Introduction?
Trade introductory paragraphs with a person next to you and participate in a quick peer review session. Tell your partner:
1. One thing they did well
2. One recommendation for improvement
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Organizational styles:
• Chunking = placing all of the information for each individual subject in one place (chunk), and then using similarities as transitions
(ex. ­ Langston Hughes Comparison and Contrast essay)
• Piecing = giving pieces of the information for each individual subject in each paragraph—arranging the information by topic rather than by subject
(ex. ­ "Committer vs. Non­Committer" essay)
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3. Paragraph Structure
What do effective paragraphs contain?
How can you link paragraphs together?
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Strong Paragraph Structure:
• Start with a topic sentence in which you make an argument that will serve as the focus of the paragraph
The first and possibly most obvious similarity between "Dodgeball" and "Zoolander" is the type of humor used in each movie.
• Then explain your argument
Both movies utilize a type of slapstick humor, where viewers laugh at injuries and stupidity.
• Support your argument with quotes and details from the text
This is seen in "Dodgeball," for example, as viewers laugh while the old coach throws wrenches that the team of losers must try to dodge. It is seen in "Zoolander" as well, when two male models participate in a "walk off" and one ends up comedically injuring himself while attempting a trick. These are only two of the many examples of slapstick humor in Ben Stiller's movies.
• Explain how these examples fit in with your argument
Though each of these scenario contains different characters and plot elements, the style of humor is similar. • Write a concluding sentence that links these examples back to your original argument and transitions into the next paragraph
This distinct humor makes each movie more recognizable as a Ben Stiller movie and serves to reinforce the themes of both movies.
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Review the following topic sentences as effective or ineffective:
1. Ben Stiller's character is White Goodman in Dodgeball, but Derek Zoolander in Zoolander.
2. Zoolander's character is comedic because of his stupidity.
3. The plot line of Dodgeball, centering around a group of misfits playing a non­mainstream sport, provides a significant source of comedy.
4. Dodgeball is about a dodgeball game while Zoolander is about a male model.
5. Zoolander puts a comedic twist on the theme "don't judge a book by its cover."
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Transitions:
In addition to linking paragraphs together with content, you should also use transitions to create flow.
Examples:
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4. Concluding Paragraph
What is the conclusion of the essay supposed to do?
What must it contain?
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An effective conclusion should:
• Restate your thesis
Despite having very different characters and plot lines, Ben Stiller's popular movies "Zoolander" and "Dodgeball" have commonalities in comedic style and overall themes.
• Sum up your main points
The characters and plot lines themselves allow for a very distinct type of slapstick humor to shine through in both movies. This humor allows for both movies to illustrate a common theme­­the power of persistency­­and present it in a comedic, relatable way.
• Link your argument to a "big idea"
This common theme and the slapstick humor through which it is presented is common of nearly all Ben Stiller movies. It is perhaps because of these elements that Stiller movies are so popular, entertaining, and relatable for viewers.
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DISCUSS: What are some "Big Ideas" you can link to in your Comparison essays?
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To Do Now:
Create an outline / organizational plan for your essay. Decide what "big idea" you're going to link to in your conclusion.
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