Prewriting for Comparison-Contrast Essays
Analyzing the similarities and differences between two things is one of the most fundamental thinking skills. It is also one of the most powerful. Comparing two candidates helps you choose the better leader and reject the dud. Discerning the key differences between two claims allows you to tell truth from falsehood. When you write a comparison-contrast essay, you use this powerful skill to understand both topics fully. You'll start by finding topics worthy of your attention.
Prewriting to Select Two Topics
If your topics truly interest you, analyzing them will be easy. You might also want to select two interesting topics from a current area of study so that your comparison-contrast essay can help you in more than one class. If you don't know what you want to write about, you can start by selecting an interesting general category from the Basics of Life list and thinking of two topics within that category.
Basics of Life
Animals
Art
Books
Career
Communication
Community
Culture
Education
Energy
Entertainment
Environment
Exercise
Family
Fantasy
Fashion
Food
Freedom
Friends
Fun
Future
Geography
Goals
Government
Health
History
Holidays
Home
Imagination
Language
Law
Life
Literature
Love
Medicine
Money
Music
Nature
Occupation
People
Personality
Plants
Play
Recreation
Rights
Rules
Science
Seasons
Self
Sports
Technology
Transportation
Travel
Vehicles
Work
For example, if you choose "Personality," you can compare two types of personality (introvert vs. extrovert) or two tests that measure intelligence (Stanford-Binet vs. Wechsler Intelligence Scale) or two psychological conditions (Asperger's syndrome vs. savant syndrome). If you choose "Food," you can compare and contrast two types of cuisine (French vs. German), or two processes for preserving meat (smoking vs. salt curing), or the history of two different drinks (coffee vs. tea).
Choose topics to compare and contrast.
Select a general subject area from the Basics of Life list or from one of your current classes. Then identify two specific topics in that subject area. Try to find topics that share some similarities and differences and that truly interest you.
Prewriting to Research Your Topics
After selecting a general category and identifying two topics, you should research the topics. Start by writing down what you already know about them, activating prior knowledge. Then search for additional information to answer questions you have. Angie decided to compare and contrast Asperger's syndrome and savant syndrome. She created parallel lists of the information she discovered.
|
Asperger's Syndrome |
Savant Syndrome |
|
—High-functioning autism —Part of autism-spectrum disorder (DSM-5) —Higher than average verbal ability, strong memory —Intense interest and knowledge in any area —Often higher than average IQ —Socially awkward —People like Bill Gates, Dan Aykroyd, Mozart, Emily Dickinson, and Albert Einstein (https://www.appliedbehavioranalysisprograms.com/historys-30-most-inspiring-people-on-the-autism-spectrum/) —Very common, many successful people |
—Autism-savant condition —About half on autism spectrum; half from neurological injury or disease (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2677584/) —Prodigious ability in music, art, calendar calculation, math, spatial skills —Uncanny ability derived from massive memory —Often lower than average IQ —Socially disconnected —People like Rain Man (Kim Peek), the Human Camera, Alonzo Clemons, Sabine (http://mentalfloss.com/article/25048/amazing-stories-6-sudden-savants) —Very rare, few successful people |
Research your topics.
Search online and in print publications for information about your topics. Compile key facts in a T-chart, noting sources of information.
Teaching Tip
Help students understand that a strong pair of topics provides much opportunity for exploration. In the example comparison of Asperger's syndrome and savant syndrome, about 50 percent of savants also have autism spectrum disorder, and one in ten on the autism spectrum show savant abilities. So, not all people with Asperger's are savants and vice versa. Comparisons and contrasts abound.
Prewriting to Create a Thesis Statement
After researching your topics, you should write a working thesis statement to focus your thinking. The thesis statement should name your topics and hint at the comparisons and contrasts between them.
Write a thesis statement.
Write down your topics and an interesting comparison/contrast of them. Then combine both into a single sentence that focuses your essay.
Topics |
+ |
Comparison/Contrast |
= |
Thesis Statement |
|
Asperger's syndrome and savant syndrome |
both describe unusual ability coupled with unusual disability, but they differ in degree |
Both Asperger's syndrome and savant syndrome describe people with unusual abilities coupled with unusual disabilities, but these conditions differ in terms of degree. |
Teaching Tip
Let students know that this working thesis statement provides a focus for their writing. They do not have to use it word for word in the drafting phase, and they can modify it as they need during revising and editing.