Which best describes a compare and contrast essay's purpose?

A compare and contrast essay examines similarities and differences between two subjects, which may be assigned or chosen by the student. Ideally, subjects belong to the same category (e.g., books, films, animals). Choose an interesting topic you're familiar with for an engaging read and potentially better grade.A compare and contrast essay examines similarities and differences between two subjects, which may be assigned or chosen by the student. Ideally, subjects belong to the same category (e.g., books, films, animals). Choose an interesting topic you're familiar with for an engaging read and potentially better grade.

Which of the following is NOT a difference between the point-by-point method and the block method of writing a comparative essay?

Compare and Contrast Essay Outline

The point-by-point method uses a standard five-paragraph essay structure:

Introduction (contains the attention-getter, preview of main points, and thesis)

Body paragraph 1 (main idea #1 as it relates to both subjects)

Body paragraph 2 (main idea #2 as it relates to both subjects)

Body paragraph 3 (main idea #3 as it relates to both subjects)

Conclusion (restates thesis, summarizes main point, leaves reader with a lingering thought)

The block method uses a four-paragraph structure:

Introduction (contains the attention-getter, preview of main points, and thesis)

Body paragraph 1 (main ideas for subject #1)

Body paragraph 2 (main ideas for subject #2)

Conclusion (restates thesis, summarizes main point, leaves reader with a lingering thought)

Which of the following statements is true about comparative essays?

Comparative essays highlight the similarities and differences between two subjects, which serve as the main ideas of body paragraphs. Two methods of organization can be used: the point-by-point method and the block method. The point-by-point method follows a five-paragraph structure where each paragraph discusses a specific main idea, while the block method uses a four-paragraph structure where each paragraph discusses the main ideas of each subject. The essay should provide significant or thought-provoking comparisons and contrasts and offer the reader a new outlook on the subjects.

Which of the following is a requirement of the point-by-point method in comparative essay writing?

When writing a comparative essay using the point-by-point method, you need to focus on one main idea that applies to both subjects in each body paragraph. For example, if you are comparing two types of birds, each paragraph can cover a different aspect like their physical appearances, diets, or habitats. This method follows a five-paragraph structure, but it can be difficult to switch between the two subjects smoothly.

What is the advantage of using the point-by-point method over the block method in comparative essay writing?

The block method is a way to organize your comparative essay using only two body paragraphs. You talk about one subject in each paragraph. For instance, if you're comparing middle school and high school, the first paragraph would focus on middle school, and the second would focus on high school. This method is simpler because you only focus on one subject at a time, but it only gives you two body paragraphs. If your essay needs five paragraphs, it's better to use the point-by-point method instead.

What is the reason for arranging the main points in a specific order in a comparative essay?

Regardless of the method you use to organize your comparative essay, there's a particular order to follow for your main points. The strongest point should go last, the second strongest point should go first, and the weakest point should go in the middle. For the point-by-point method, arrange your paragraphs by placing the strongest point in the third body paragraph, the second strongest point in the first body paragraph, and the weakest point in the second body paragraph. For the block method, place the strongest point as the last main idea in the body paragraph, the second strongest point as the first main idea, and the weakest point in the middle of the body paragraph. This is because it creates a compelling essay that starts and ends on a strong note, with the weakest point in the middle.

What is the purpose of a thesis statement in a compare and contrast essay?

To start a compare and contrast essay, you need to write a thesis statement, which is the main argument of your essay. It should be one or two sentences long and placed at the end of the introduction. However, you should write your thesis statement first before writing the rest of the essay. Your thesis statement will guide the content of your essay, so it's important to come up with it at the beginning. For example, if you're comparing California and New York, a possible thesis statement could be "Despite being located at opposite ends of the country, California and New York have more similarities than differences."

What is the purpose of an attention-getter in a compare and contrast essay?

To begin a compare and contrast essay, you need an attention-getter, which is the first sentence in the introduction. The purpose of the attention-getter is to capture the reader's interest and draw them into the essay. You can use a rhetorical question, a little-known fact, a joke, or a famous quotation as your attention-getter. For example, for an essay comparing California and New York, an attention-getter could be "Could two places located nearly 3,000 miles apart have any similarities, despite having many differences?"

What is the purpose of including transitions in the body paragraphs of a compare and contrast essay?

When writing a compare and contrast essay, the body paragraphs should include a topic sentence, which states the main idea of the paragraph. Transitions like first, second, and third can be used to separate ideas, and other transitions like for example, also, and lastly can also be used. The concluding sentence should be the last sentence of the body paragraph and should sum up the main point of the paragraph while also hinting at the main point of the next body paragraph. Regardless of which method is used, point-by-point or block, these elements should be present in the body paragraphs.

What is the purpose of the lingering thought at the end of a compare and contrast essay conclusion?

To conclude a compare and contrast essay, start by rephrasing the thesis statement in a different sentence structure and using different words to emphasize the main idea. Begin the sentence with a transition word that signals the end of the essay. Summarize the main points of the body paragraphs and reinforce the thesis statement. Finally, end with a lingering thought that gives the reader something to think about after reading the essay. For example, you could ask a question that makes the reader consider the similarities and differences between the two subjects being compared, such as "Which state would you prefer to live in, considering the similarities and differences?"

In terms of a compare and contrast essay, what should you consider for a topic?

In terms of a compare and contrast essay, what does it mean to compare two subjects?

How should you order your paragraphs within an essay?

What are the two most common methods of organizing body paragraphs in a compare and contrast essay?

Rachel is writing a compare and contrast essay about Homer and Hamlet. She decides to put all points of comparison in one paragraph and all points of contrast in another paragraph. Which method is she using to structure her essay?