English 11B: Unit 2 Portfolio, Compare/Contrast Essay
Unit 2 Portfolio (Please review short overview video)
What is a compare/contrast essay?
A compare/contrast essay looks closely at and examines two subjects by comparing them and contrasting them.
What is the purpose of a compare/contrast essay?
The purpose of writing a compare/contrast essay is not to state the obvious but rather to illuminate subtle differences/similarities and unexpected differences/similarities between two subjects.
What will I do?
Choose a topic to write about in which you focus on comparing and contrasting by illuminating the subtle differences and unexpected similarities between two subjects.
Which topics can I choose to compare/contrast?
Think about the many subjects that lend themselves to comparing and contrasting.
Select a topic that you know a lot about as that will make generating specific details much easier. Consider the following options:
• Two different places (Disney World vs. Universal Studios) <- I like this one
• Two different sports (Football vs. Baseball) <- Second choice
• Two historical figures
• Two genres of music
• Two musicians
• Two book characters
• Two cultures
What are some other topic ideas that I can choose to compare / contrast?
I. Analyze how a certain theme from America’s literary history is shown through two different works and authors. These works must be from the same literary time period; however, the pieces, as well as the theme, are entirely up to you. Please use this opportunity to exercise your freedom as a literary scholar to investigate themes and pieces of the utmost interest to you. You are not limited to the authors and works studied in this unit.
• Religion and Faith
• Community and Responsibility
• The American Dream
• Disillusionment of Man
• The Meaning of Freedom
• The Journey to Identity
II. As you begin to think about different topics or themes that you would like to analyze for your portfolio project, reflect on what you have already studied this school year in English 11. During the course of this year, you have studied the following literary time periods:
• Early and Colonial America (Puritanism)
• Romanticism
• Realism
• Modernism
• Postmodernism
How do I Organize the essay?
Use one of the framework below to help you write your compare/contrast essay
I. Whole-to-Whole
The whole-to-whole method is used when you describe one topic in its entirety, followed by the other topic in its entirety. Use transition words to point out similarities and differences between the topics within each paragraph.
• Introduction
• Briefly introduce the two topics.
• Include a thesis in which you highlight the major similarities and differences.
• Topic A
• Write one or more body paragraphs fully exploring your first topic.
• Use details that can be compared or contrasted with your second topic.
• Include transitions or signal words that point out similarities and differences, such as “Unlike . . . , this is . . .”
• Topic B
• Write one or more body paragraphs fully exploring your second topic.
• Use details that can be compared or contrasted with your first topic.
• Include transitions or signal words that point out similarities and differences, such as “Similar to . . . , this is . . .”
• Conclusion
• Restate your thesis, highlighting the major similarities and differences.
• Briefly summarize the two topics.
II. Point-to-Point
The point-to-point method is used when you explore various categories of the topics, comparing and contrasting the topics for each category.
• Introduction
• Briefly introduce the two topics.
• Include a thesis in which you highlight the major similarities and differences.
• Point 1
• Write a body paragraph for the first point.
• Discuss how your first and second topics are similar and/or different on this point.
• Include transitions or signal words that point out similarities and differences, such as “Unlike . . . , this is . . .”
• Point 2
• Write a body paragraph for the second point.
• Discuss how your first and second topics are similar and/or different on this point.
• Include transitions or signal words that point out similarities and differences, such as “Similar to . . . , this is . . .”
Continue in this manner for as many points of comparison or contrast that you have.
• Conclusion
• Restate your thesis, highlighting the major similarities and differences.
• Briefly summarize the two topics.
MLA Format is required:
MLA Paper Formatting Basics / Length of paper:
• Make 1 inch margins on the top, bottom, and sides.
• The first word in every paragraph should be indented one half inch.
• Indent set-off or block quotations one half inch from the left margin.
• Use Times New Roman font.
• Use 12-point size.
• Double space the entire paper, even the Works Cited page.
• Leave one space after periods and other punctuation marks.
• Length: 1 1/2 - 2 pages minimum
• In-text Citations required
• Works Cited page required
• Header Required
