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25 Writing Comparison-Contrast Essays

Page
181
from
Writers Express

Start-Up Activity

When your students look at the similarities and differences between two topics, they analyze both topics closely. That's critical thinking.

Warm up your students' critical thinking by drawing a Venn diagram (two side-by-side, overlapping circles) on the board. Above each circle write a topic to compare (for example, George Washington on the left and Abraham Lincoln on the right). Ask students what the two topics have in common. Write similarities in the overlapping section. Ask about differences, and write them in the crescents that don't overlap. Lead a discussion about comparing and contrasting.

Think About It

“Understanding is a two-way street.”

— Eleanor Roosevelt

State Standards Covered in This Chapter

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.1

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.2

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.5

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.2

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.2.A

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.2.B

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.1

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.2

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.5

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.2

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.2.A

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.2.B

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.2.D

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.2.D

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.5

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.5

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.2.C

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.4

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.2.C

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.4

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.2.E

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.2.E

LAFS Covered in This Chapter

LAFS.4.RI.1.1

LAFS.4.RI.1.2

LAFS.4.RI.2.5

LAFS.4.W.1.2

LAFS.5.RI.1.1

LAFS.5.RI.1.2

LAFS.5.RI.2.5

LAFS.5.W.1.2

LAFS.4.W.2.5

LAFS.5.W.2.5

LAFS.4.W.2.4

LAFS.5.W.2.4

TEKS Covered in This Chapter

110.6.b.9.D

110.6.b.9.D.i

110.6.b.9.D.iii

110.6.b.11.B

110.6.b.12.B

110.6.b.11.B.i

110.6.b.11.B.ii

110.7.b.9.D

110.7.b.7.D

110.7.b.9.D.iii

110.7.b.11

110.7.b.12.B

110.7.b.11.A

110.7.b.11.B.i

110.7.b.11.B.ii

110.6.b.3

110.7.b.3

110.6.b.11.A

110.6.b.11.C

110.6.b.11.D

110.7.b.11.C

110.7.b.11.D

TEKS Covered in This Chapter

Page 182 from Writers Express

Sample Comparison-Contrast Essay

Ask for student volunteers to read the sample essay, paragraph by paragraph. Then point out the features mentioned in the side notes. This essay uses a point-by-point pattern of organization, one of three main types for comparison-contrast writing:

  • Point-by-point: Write about one point for each subject, then the next point of each subject, and so on. (The points in this essay are frames, wheels, gears, and riding experience.)
  • Subject-by-subject: Write about one subject completely, and then write about the other subject completely.
  • Similarities-and-differences: Write about the similarities between the two subjects, and then write about the differences.

The pattern students choose depends on their subjects and the way the similarities and differences are split. (This writer wanted to focus on contrasts, and so chose a point-by-point pattern.) See more on pages 186-187 of the student handbook.

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.4.RI.1.1
TEKS Standard:
110.6.b.9.D
NE ELA Standard:
LA 4.1.6.e

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 4Grade 5
Mode:
Explanatory Writing
Form:
Comparison-Contrast
Theme:
Transportation
English Language Arts:
Qualities of WritingIdeasStructure

Page 183 from Writers Express

Sample Comparison-Contrast Essay (Continued)

After students read the essay, point out the details in the side notes.

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.4.RI.1.1
TEKS Standard:
110.6.b.9.D
NE ELA Standard:
LA 4.1.6.e

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 4Grade 5
Mode:
Explanatory Writing
Form:
Comparison-Contrast
Theme:
Transportation
English Language Arts:
Qualities of WritingIdeasStructure

Page 184 from Writers Express

Writing a Comparison Essay

On these two pages, your students will find help with planning their essays, choosing a topic, and gathering and organizing details. Direct your students to the green box for general subject areas that might suggest specific topics to compare and contrast.

To help your students choose their topics, download and distribute the topic chart.

Downloads:
State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.4.W.1.2
TEKS Standard:
110.6.b.11.B, 110.6.b.12.B
NE ELA Standard:
LA 4.2.1.b, LA 4.2.2, LA 4.2.2.a

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 4Grade 5
Mode:
Explanatory Writing
Form:
Comparison-Contrast
English Language Arts:
Qualities of WritingIdeas

Page 185 from Writers Express

Gathering and Organizing Details

Use this page to help your students gather comparisons and contrasts for their subjects. Follow the directions under "T-Chart" to have students create their own charts on paper, or download and distribute the comparison-contrast T-chart template.

If you would prefer for your students to create Venn diagrams, use the minilesson.

Downloads:
Related Minilesson:
State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.4.W.1.2
TEKS Standard:
110.6.b.11.B, 110.6.b.12.B
NE ELA Standard:
LA 4.2.1.b, LA 4.2.2, LA 4.2.2.a

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 4Grade 5
Mode:
Explanatory Writing
Form:
Comparison-Contrast
English Language Arts:
Qualities of WritingIdeas

Page 186 from Writers Express

Writing: Developing the First Draft

Use this page and the one that follows to guide the drafting process for your students. Note the three organizational styles available to students:

  • Subject-by-subject: Write about one subject completely, and then write about the other subject completely.
  • Similarities-and-differences: Write about the similarities between the two subjects, and then write about the differences.
  • Point-by-point: Write about one point for each subject, then the next point of each subject, and so on.

Ask students which pattern they intend to use and why. Lead a discussion of the choices students have available to them.

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.4.W.1.2
TEKS Standard:
110.6.b.11.B, 110.6.b.12.B
NE ELA Standard:
LA 4.2.1.b, LA 4.2.2, LA 4.2.2.a

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 4Grade 5
Mode:
Explanatory Writing
Form:
Comparison-Contrast
English Language Arts:
Qualities of WritingIdeasStructure

Page 187 from Writers Express

Writing: Developing the First Draft (Continued)

Point out the comparison and contrast transitions that students can use to connect their ideas. Also, run through the four strategies that students can use as they write their endings.

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.4.W.1.2
TEKS Standard:
110.6.b.11.B, 110.6.b.12.B
NE ELA Standard:
LA 4.2.1.b, LA 4.2.2, LA 4.2.2.a

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 4Grade 5
Mode:
Explanatory Writing
Form:
Comparison-Contrast
English Language Arts:
Qualities of WritingIdeasStructure

Page 188 from Writers Express

Revising and Editing

Use this page to help your students elaborate their ideas, check the smoothness of their writing, and correct errors in their writing. Download and distribute the comparison-contrast revising checklist to help your students improve their writing.

Downloads:
State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.4.W.1.2
TEKS Standard:
110.6.b.11.B, 110.6.b.12.B
NE ELA Standard:
LA 4.2.1.b, LA 4.2.2, LA 4.2.2.a

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 4Grade 5
Mode:
Explanatory Writing
Form:
Comparison-Contrast
English Language Arts:
Qualities of WritingIdeasStructureConventionsWriting ProcessRevisingEditing