The "comparison essay" poses major challenges for struggling
writers.
Those challenges include:
-
Knowing what to record.
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Finding equivalent facts for both halves of the comparison.
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Grouping related facts.
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Summarizing the import of a group of facts
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Developing a thesis from a collection of data.
If they are poorly organized or find handwriting physically difficult,
the problems are compounded many times over.
Giving students a simple word processing form
to use for their data collection helps struggling writers overcome
some of the challenges of organizing "comparison essay"
material.
The basic data collection form
The basic data collection form I recommend for the compare-contrast
essay is the same unit used in the basic five-paragraph essay outline
template. It looks like this:
Since the compare-contrast format requires students to compare
the same elements for both halves of their comparison, students
need a set of two data collection tables for starters.
I like to give students a pair of tables colorized so students
can color code their data as they gather it. Students make a copy
of the unit and replace the generic data with their specific data.
Notice the subtle change in language. They don't have evidence
yet because they don't have a thesis to support. The compare and
contrast essay requires them to build a thesis based on an analysis
of facts.
Keeping the sets together until they finish collecting data lets
students see easily whether they have information for both sides
of their comparison.
Suppose writers are instructed to compare and contrast brogwits
with frogels. Minus the citation information, the data section of
the outline template would look like something like this:
Some facts will have no value in developing the comparison. Students
can move them aside, but shouldn't discard them. Those facts might
be useful in the introduction.
Other comparison outline elements
Students in the typical English class don't realize that even after
they gather all their data, they still have to put it into essay
format. That means they have to have:
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Topic sentences that summarize data within their respective
paragraphs, and
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A thesis statement that sums up the significance of
all the data.
In order to assemble their data collection items into an outline for
a compare and contrast essay,students will also need two forms in
addition to the basic data collection forms.
Students will need a single-row topic sentence table, which looks
like this:
And they will need a single-row thesis statement table, which looks
like this:
You can put all four tables in a computer file created in a word
program students have and make the file available on your school
website or in an online storage facility.
(Students can change colors and type face for better visibility
and/or cheaper printing.)
Forms help struggling writers
Using the computer forms helps struggling writers several ways.
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The forms specify information will need later, eliminating
the need to redo research or refer to other documents for more
directions.
For example, students don't have to recall during data collection
that they will need the source's qualifications at the composition
stage.
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The forms keep citation information with its data, reducing
the chance of losing the source information.
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The forms eliminate rewriting repeated elements, reducing
the time and tedium of writing.
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The forms can be manipulated readily.
This way of preparing material for writing is visual, hands-on,
and quick. Students who lack the short term memory or physical
ability to rewrite can move forms around a page. They can save
each version so they don't lose material.
Form building for an outline template
Do you need help making the forms? If you are
a Writing Points subscriber, you'll find directions
for the basic unit on the password-protected teacher resources page.
Look under the outline template.
If you aren't a Writing Points subscriber, why not
sign up today?
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The 15th of the month when you get your first issue, you'll receive
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