Compare

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Compare Contrast Workshop
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What is the Compare Contrast Essay?

• An essay that asks you to identify and analyze
  similarities and differences between two regions,
  nations, events, people, etc. historically

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Step One Read the Question

• Identify the task word in the question (what
  are you supposed to do?)
• Define any confusing or difficult words in the
  question
• Identify the overall time period (should be in
  the question) and place
• Identify the general topics (political power,
  religious beliefs, gender relations, level of
  technology) that you will compare and contrast.

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Step Two Write your Thesis

• Make sure your thesis does the following
• Address similarities AND differences between the
  two items you are comparing
• Even if the prompt only says compare
• Address the whole question!
• Take a position (more similar or more different)
• Identify your topics of comparison (which will be
  the same as your body paragraphs)

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Step Two Write your Thesis (cont)

• You can use this basic format when crafting your
  compare and contrast thesis statements
• When comparing (place 1) and (place 2)
  during the (time period), both
  (similarity). However, (place 1) was
  different in that (difference) while (place
  2) was (difference).

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Step Three Write your Body Paragraphs

• Start paragraph with topic sentence that previews
  stage
• Substantiate (prove) your argument with
  appropriate historical evidence
• Provide specific examples for your points of
  change or continuity
• End paragraph with a transition sentence

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Step Four Write your Conclusion

• Your conclusion should summarize your main
  points, identify that there were both
  similarities and differences, and reiterate your
  thesis statement

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Compare Contrast Outline

• Introduction with Thesis statement
• Fully addresses question
• Takes a position (Are the two topics similar
  and/or different and in what ways)
• Provides categories (areas you are going to
  compare, i.e. government, economy, religion,
  etc.)
• Support paragraph 1 (should match first category
  from thesis)
• Topic sentence which states what area you are
  comparing
• Specific Factual Information that supports your
  topic sentence
• Transition sentence that ties up paragraph, and
  previews next paragraph
• Support paragraph 2 (should match second
  category from thesis)
• Topic sentence which states what area you are
  comparing
• Specific Factual Information that supports your
  topic sentence
• Transition sentence that ties up paragraph, and
  previews next paragraph
• Support paragraph 3 (should match third category
  from thesis)
• Topic sentence which states what area you are
  comparing
• Specific Factual Information that supports your
  topic sentence
• Transition sentence that ties up paragraph and
  leads to conclusion.
• Conclusion (optional should time allow)
• Summary of your main arguments
• Reiteration of your thesis

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Activity 1 Sample Question Thesis Statement
Writing

• Question Compare and contrast the nature of
  human society during the Paleolithic Age (prior
  to 8000 B.C.E). and following the Neolithic
  Revolution when humans start to farm.
• Thesis Human society went through significant
  changes as a result of the Neolithic Revolution
  in 8000 B.C.E. The Paleolithic and Neolithic Ages
  had more differences than similarities in gender
  relations, levels of technology, and types of
  lifestyle.

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Activity 1 Sample Question Thesis Statement
Writing

• Question Compare and contrast the ancient
  polytheistic religions of the river valley
  civilizations with the worlds oldest
  monotheistic religion Judaism. Consider their
  basic beliefs, styles of worship, and
  relationship with government.
• Thesis The polytheistic religions of the ancient
  river valley civilizations and monotheistic
  Judaism had more differences than similarities in
  their basic beliefs, styles of worship, and
  relationships with government.

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Activity 2 Ranking Compare Contrast Thesis
Examples

• Prompt Compare political developments in Greece
  during the classical period with those in China.
• Thesis A There were many similarities and
  differences in political developments in Greece
  and China.
• Thesis B During the classical period, both
  Greece and China developed complex political
  institutions, but the Chinese developed a
  stronger, more centralized government while
  Greece developed more local rule through
  city-states.
• Thesis C Both Greece and China were similar in
  that they both developed political institutions,
  but they differed in their political
  philosophies.