Slide bài giảng môn Viết 2 Academic Writing 2: unit 5 comparison contrast slides

WRITING 2

UNIT 5: COMPARISON-CONTRAST ESSAYS


COMPARISON-CONTRAST ESSAYS: Purpose
• To discuss similarities and differences between two subjects/ideas


COMPARISON-CONTRAST ESSAYS: Format
1 paragraph
• Introduction
2 paragraphs
• Body
1 paragraph
• Conclusion


INTRODUCTION: Structure

Introduction

introduces two subjects to be
compared or contrasted

ends with a thesis statement focusing
similarities/ differences between two
subjects


INTRODUCTION: Example (Savage & Mayer, 2006)

I enjoy spending my Sunday afternoons outside the house. I
cannot have the same experience in the United States that I had
in Mexico when I was a child, but I have found a place that is
similar to my home. Willowbrook Mall in Houston, Texas, is my
favorite place in the U.S. to take a walk because it reminds me of
Moreda Street in Morelia, Mexico (two subjects introduced: Willowbrook
Mall and Moreda Street). They are very different but also similar in
some ways, especially on a Sunday afternoon (thesis statement:
focusing on both similarities and differences).


BODY: Structure
Point-by-point

– Paragraph 1: 1 topic sentence =
1 point of comparison
2-3
examples
– Paragraph 2: 1 topic sentence =
1 point of comparison
2-3
examples

Similarities & Differences

– Paragraph 1: 1 topic sentence =
similarities/differences
– Paragraph 2: 1 topic sentence =
differences/similarities

BODY: Structure
Point-by-point

– Paragraph 1: 1 topic sentence =
1 point of comparison
2-3
examples
– Paragraph 2: 1 topic sentence =
1 point of comparison
2-3
examples

Similarities & Differences

– Paragraph 1: 1 topic sentence =
similarities/differences
– Paragraph 2: 1 topic sentence =
differences/similarities


BODY: Point-by-point model
Body paragraph 1 – Point 1
First of all, women are indecisive while shopping but men are not (topic
sentence: point of difference 1 – indecisiveness/decisiveness while shopping) . A
woman can go into a store with every intention of getting one item. But
she sees all the cute things lying around the store saying “Buy me.” For
that reason, she feels compelled to buy other items within the store. That
is why a woman can be very indecisive. Unlike women, men know what
they want and pick only that item up. When a man says that he is going to

get one thing from the store it is a guarantee that he will come home with
that one item because things do not scream out at him, “Buy me.” (example)


BODY: Point-by-point example (Savage & Mayer, 2006)
Body paragraph 2 – Point 2
Secondly, a female can take a lot longer time to shop than a male does
(topic sentence: point of difference 2 - time). Ladies can take hours getting one
item, while men can get five items in 20 minutes or less (example 1). Besides,
for some reason a lady has to look at everything she finds appealing to the
eye. Last weekend my eldest sister went shopping for a pair of jeans but she
spent two hours looking at shoes, shirts, swimsuits, jewelry although her
too tight budget did not allow her to have them. Differently, a man just does
not seem to notice things as a woman does. Or maybe it is because a man
just doesn’t care. In any case, when a male says he will be back in twenty
minutes from shopping, he will be back in twenty minutes or less. My father
and all my three elder brothers are typical examples (example 2).


BODY: Structure
Point-by-point

– Paragraph 1: 1 topic sentence = 1
point of comparison
2-3
examples
– Paragraph 2: 1 topic sentence = 1
point of comparison
2-3
examples

Similarities & Differences

– Paragraph 1: 1 topic sentence =
similarities/differences
– Paragraph 2: 1 topic sentence =
differences/similarities


BODY: Similarities-and-differences example
(Savage & Mayer, 2006)

Body paragraph 1 – Similarities
For me, Willowbrook Mall has an atmosphere that is like Moreda Street’s
(topic sentence). In both places, people stroll and gather (reason/explanation). In
Morelia, families leave church and go for a walk along Moreda Street on
Sunday afternoon. Often people stop at an outdoor café and have an ice
cream or coffee and watch people walk by (example 1). Now that I live in
Houston, Willowbrook Mall is the place where I go to see people on Sundays
for their afternoon walk. I sit in a food court where I can drink a coffee with
my friend, as I watch teenagers and families walking through the mall
(example 2). When I see them, I remember how life was when I was a child
(reason/explanation).


BODY: Similarities-and-differences example
(Savage & Mayer, 2006)

Body paragraph 2 – Differences
Despite their similarities, Moreda Street and Willowbrook Mall are very different

(topic sentence). Willowbrook Mall is more modern (reason/explanation). On the one
hand, Moreda Street has old colonial buildings and beautiful old trees that shade the
street. It is also quiet. On the other hand, Willowbrook Mall is new and the lights are
bright, and loud music plays in the stores (example 1). The people on Moreda Street also
have more traditional ways. Men wear attractive, conservative suits and women wear
light summer dresses. Fathers watch their teenage daughters closely and do not let
their daughters hold hands with boys. In contrast, many teenagers go to Willowbrook
Mall without their parents, and boyfriends and girlfriends walk with their arms around
each other (example 2). When I see them, I realize that my daughter will have a different
experience growing up in Houston than I did in Moreda. Then, I worry about her, and I
miss Moreda Street, where life is more traditional (writer’s personal thought).


CONCLUSION: Structure
• Conclusion = points of similarities and differences + final comment


CONCLUSION: Example (Savage & Mayer, 2006)
It is interesting (writer’s comment) to see how people and places
from different countries can be similar and different at the same
time. Moreda Street and Willowbrook Mall are very different in
appearance and culture (summary of points of differences), but they are
also similar because they are both places where people like to go
to relax on a Sunday afternoon (summary of points of similarities).


COMPARISON-CONTRAST ESSAYS: Writing task
Write a short essay on the following topic:
Compare and contrast life in a big city and life in the countryside.

STEP 1: Brainstorming ideas


STEP 2: Outlining
Introduction

Body (Point-by-point)

Conclusion

Hook:
__________________________
__________________________
Background information:
__________________________
__________________________
Thesis statement:
__________________________
__________________________

Body paragraph 1
Topic sentence with point 1 of
comparison:
__________________________
__________________________
Details:
__________________________
__________________________
Body paragraph 2

Topic sentence with point 2 of
comparison:
__________________________
__________________________
Details:
__________________________
__________________________

Summary and comment:
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________


STEP 2: Outlining
Introduction

Body (Similarities-anddifferences)

Conclusion

Hook:
__________________________
__________________________
Background information:
__________________________
__________________________
Thesis statement:
__________________________
__________________________

Body paragraph 1
Topic sentence about
similarities:
__________________________
__________________________
Details:
__________________________
__________________________
Body paragraph 2
Topic sentence about
differences:
__________________________
__________________________
Details:
__________________________
__________________________

Summary and comment:
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________


STEP 3: Writing the first draf
________________________
________________________
________________________
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________________________

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________________________
________________________
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STEP 4: Editing your writing
Editor’s Checklist
Put a check () in the box as appropriate.
 1. Does your essay have four paragraphs?
 2. Does your introduction include a hook and a thesis statement?
 3. Does your thesis statement present the comparison and/or contrast between the
two subjects?
 4. Does each of your body paragraph have a clear topic sentence?
 5. Does each of your body paragraph include details that support the topic sentence?
 6. Did you use connectors that show similarity and/or contrast?
 7. Did you use the correct form of comparatives?
 8. Does your conclusion summarize the points of comparison and/or contrast?


STEP 4: Editing your writing
Peer Editor’s Checklist
Put a check () in the box as appropriate.
 1. Does the essay have four paragraphs?

 2. Does the introduction include a hook and a thesis statement?
 3. Does the thesis statement focus the comparison and/or contrast between the
two subjects?
 4. Does each body paragraph have a clear topic sentence?
 5. Does each body paragraph include details that support the topic sentence?
 6. Did the writer use connectors that show similarity and/or contrast?
 7. Did the writer use the correct form of comparatives?
 8. Does the conclusion summarize the points of comparison and/or contrast?


Reference
Savage, A., & Mayer, P. (2006). Effective academic writing 2: The short
essay. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

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