Compare: What is the same?  What is different?

How do you know?

Try the compare guide at: http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/compcontrast/

Create a comparison map at: http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/compcontrast/map/

Or try a Venn Diagram at: http://readwritethink.org/materials/venn/index.html

Preparation for Writing:

Download a comparison rubric here.

Download a comparison organizer here.

View a Venn Diagram here.

Note: You can download this image by right-click (PC) or control click (Mac) on the image and save to your computer. 

To view the whole page, go to the top of the page. Find the small triangle on the top of this text of the page and click it. That will close the sidebar.

Examples:

Look at comparison compositions examples here.

Sample Compare Election 

Persuasive Strategies

Sometimes you express your opinion to persuade someone to your idea. The Persuasive BEARS will give you the writing tools to persuade:

B

Bandwagon:

Show that many people agree so the reader will want to also.

Examples:

Everyone is doing it.  Everyone agrees.  All my friends....  All doctors...

E

Experts

What expert agrees with you?  Write a quote from that person. The person could be famous or and expert.

Dr. I. C Cavity states that "Chewing gum cleans your teeth."

Emotive words

Choose words that call to feelings, especially to basic needs (health, safety, love).

Allowing students to have cell phones will keep all children safe.

A

Anecdote: Tell a brief experience that explains your idea or opinion.

Once I fell while skateboarding and was able to call my dad for help.

R

Rhetorical Question: Ask a question for an effect, not for an answer.

Wouldn't you want your children safe?

S

Statistics: provide numerical facts to prove your point.

Nine out of ten dentists agree that chewing sugarfree gum prevents cavities.

Over 73% of students own cell phones.

Persasuve Strategies Prewriting

Web Resources

Web Resources^[1]

Learning Tip #26: Comparison Strategies Support Reading, Writing, and Learning
http://www.kidbibs.com/learningtips/lt26.htm

This site provides a number of resources appropriate for teaching comparison-contrast in the elementary classroom, including picture books which explore the topic. Note that the site includes links purchase the books on Amazon.com.

Comparison/Contrast Essays, from LEO: Literacy Education Online
http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/comparcontrast.html

This explanation of comparison-contrast provides advanced examples of the basic structures for the essay. The site is part of the St. Cloud State University Writing Center.

Three-Part Format: Comparison/Contrast
http://www.odessa.edu/dept/english/mjordan/Compare-contrast.htm

This detailed explanation of comparison/contrast essays from Odessa College can provide complete information for teachers to review before teaching the essay.

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