Writing an Essay Including the Correct Parts of an Essay Comparing Texts

What is the purpose of a compare/contrast essay?

• talk about the similarities and differences of two subjects
• inform or explain a subject to the reader
• tell a story
• use the five senses to paint a picture for the reader, incorporating imagery and specific details

Define thesis statement.

• a statement of the main claims of the essay
• the judgement that appears at the end of an essay
• the evidence used to back up claims
• a device used to pull readers into your essay

A point by point comparison...

• has one paragraph that focuses on the similarities while the following focuses on the differences
• the first paragraph focuses on one subject while the following focuses on another
• each paragraph focuses on one point of comparison (similarities or differences)

Which organizational style does the following outline represent?
Paragraph 1 - a comparison of how Grimm's Cinderella and Cinderellas from around the world are saved from a life of slavery
Paragraph 2 - a comparison of how Grimm's Cinderella and Cinderellas from around the world are especially kind to others

• Block Method
• Subject to Subject Method
• Point by Point Method

Which two things should a conclusion paragraph include?

• a summary of the main points and a final opinion
• a final point of comparison and a salutation
• the most important piece of evidence and a restatement of the thesis
• a new idea and a concluding statement

Which of the following is a comparison?

• The prince finds Grimm's Cinderella when he searches the land far and wide for whoever can fit the shoe.  In the African story, the Cinderella goes looking for her prince. 
• In both Grimm's Cinderella and the Egyptian Cinderella, the prince must find the girl who fits the shoe.
• Grimm's Cinderella is enslaved by her step-mother, whereas in the Egyptian Cinderella, Rhodopis is enslaved by a master.

What kind of writing is the compare contrast essay?

• narrative

• expository

• descriptive

• persuasive

What is the purpose of the thesis statement

(more than one answer is possible)

• hooks the reader to want to read more

• states the action the writer wants the reader to take

• lets the reader know what information he/she will read and in which order it will be written

• gives the writer a focus to maintain throughout the essay

How should the information within a body paragraph be organized?

• topic sentence, similarities, differences, closing sentence

• topic sentence, differences, transition sentence, similarities, closing sentence

• topic sentence, similarities, transition sentence, differences, closing sentence

• topic sentence, transition sentence, similarities, transition sentence, differences, closing sentence

What does elaborate or elaboration mean?

• to make something fancy

• to talk more

• to add more details, explanations, examples

• to add an accessory to an outfit