TITLE: Compare and Contrast Lifestyles and Time Periods

SUBJECT: English - Essay

TEKS:

8.13 A, B, C, E, F, G, H, I 8.14 A, B, C 8.15 A, C, F, H 8.16 8.17 8.18 8.20 8.22 8.23

OBJECTIVE:

Students will demonstrate understanding of the steps needed for a compare and contrast essay by writing a paper comparing and contrasting two selected pictures.

MATERIALS:

• Checklist for compare/contrast essay
• See images below

Russell Lee, Girls Waiting for an Episcopal Church Service to End...

Russell Lee, 4-H Cub Fair

IMPLEMENTATION:

1. Review steps and procedure for writing a compare/contrast essay.

2. Provide opportunities for students to research and discuss the lifestyle for the particular time period.

3. Have students view suggested pictures.

4. Based on pictures and knowledge gathered from research students will complete the steps for writing a compare/contrast essay.

5. 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.)

1. Make a list of possible topics.
2. Cross out topics that are too broad.
3. 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.

1. Consider the audience and include details that will be interesting.
2. Arrange your notes, listing the matching characteristics - those that are the same or completely different - next to each other.

D. Writing the paper.

1. Begin with an introduction which explains the purpose of the paper.
2. 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?
3. In the following paragraphs, point out and explain the similarities or differences.
4. Always remember the purpose of the paper - to inform audience about the similarities and differences between items.
5. Conclusion - summarize and wrap of the pertinent information shared in the paper.

VARIATIONS:

1. Students may gather information on the lifestyles of the time period and write a play using the characters in either picture, reflecting that research.

2. Students write a first person narrative from the perspective of one of the characters.

3. 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.

4. Students could research style of dress or music and make posters depicting the information gathered.