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IMPLEMENTATION:
- Review steps
and procedure for writing a compare/contrast essay.
- Provide opportunities
for students to research and discuss the lifestyle for the particular
time period.
- Have students
view suggested pictures.
- Based on pictures
and knowledge gathered from research students will complete the steps
for writing a compare/contrast essay.
- Students will
write the essay.
CHECKLIST
FOR A COMPARE/CONTRAST ESSAY:
A. Brainstorming
and Selecting a topic. ( In this case, this step has been completed
for the students.)
- Make a list of
possible topics.
- Cross out topics
that are too broad.
- Check to see
what resources are available for a topic. If there is not much, choose
another topic. Look at topics to see which best fits the assignment.
B. Gathering
Information and Organizing. Once a topic has been selected, plan
how information can be gathered. A Venn diagram (2 intersecting circles)
is an effective graphic organizer for this particular project. In the
first circle - students are to fill in those characteristics only true
to the first picture. In the second circle - students are to fill in
those characteristics only true to the second picture. In the area where
the circles overlap - students are to fill in characteristics common
to both images.
Note: The features
(characteristics) for each item you will compare and contrast, pay close
attention to the similarities and differences between the items.
C. Organizing
the paragraphs. A good paragraph of comparison or contrast should
show the similarities and differences in the same characteristics for
each item. Check gathered information for the same types of features.
- Consider the
audience and include details that will be interesting.
- Arrange your
notes, listing the matching characteristics - those that are the same
or completely different - next to each other.
D. Writing the
paper.
- Begin with an
introduction which explains the purpose of the paper.
- For each paragraph,
write a topic sentence.
• Does
each topic sentence introduce the comparison or the contrast in the
paragraph?
• Does
every point support the topic sentence?
- In the following
paragraphs, point out and explain the similarities or differences.
- Always remember
the purpose of the paper - to inform audience about the similarities
and differences between items.
- Conclusion -
summarize and wrap of the pertinent information shared in the paper.
VARIATIONS:
- Students may
gather information on the lifestyles of the time period and write
a play using the characters in either picture, reflecting that research.
- Students write
a first person narrative from the perspective of one of the characters.
- Students may
write a compare/contrast poem based on the ladies in the pictures
and their research of the time period. Example: The young ladies were
anxiously awaiting what the evening held in store for them. The older
women sat in apprehension as they looked toward the future with dread.
- Students could
research style of dress or music and make posters depicting the information
gathered.
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