Comparison-Contrast Point 3: Informal Outline 3. Topic: “Halloween and Día de los Muertos” Thesis Statement: Comparison-Contrast Point 1: Comparison-Contrast Point 2: Comparison-Contrast Point 3: Halloween Día de los Muertos YouTube Video: Día de los Muertos Explained Informal Outline 4. Topic: “Two communities you have lived in” Thesis Statement: Comparison-Contrast 1: Comparison-Contrast 2: Comparison-Contrast 3: Informal Outline 5. Topic: “Alcohol and Marijuana” Thesis Statement: Comparison-Contrast Point 1: Comparison-Contrast Point 2: Comparison-Contrast Point 3: Step 3: The First Draft
an American staple. However, making their first appearance in the 1960s and currently making a comeback, scooters can be spotted in urban areas almost as frequently as motorcycles. Although motorcycles and scooters can appear similar, they are far more different than alike. Topic and then introduce new information in your Support Paragraphs. His Introduction ends with the Thesis Statement (in bold and underlined type): “motorcycles and scooters…more different than alike.” The Support Paragraphs The Support paragraphs in the Comparison-Contrast Essay have three parts: Support Paragraph: Sentence (The reason your reader should believe your Thesis.) General Support Specific Support – quotes, statistics, and examples that back up your Comparison/Contrast. Let’s use the student essay contrasting “motorcycles and motor scooters” to illustrate the point. (The Topic Sentence for the Paragraph is underlined; the General Support is in Blue Type, and the Specific Support is in Red Type. The Transitions for the Topic Sentence at the beginning of the Support Paragraph are in (parentheses). The Transitions for the Specific Support Sentences – the examples – are in [brackets]. Support Paragraph 1: 1(A key difference) between motorcycles and scooters is the 3Scooters are relatively cheap compared to 1Transition words signaling the first Support Point: (A key difference) 2The Topic Sentence of the Support Paragraph 1 gives the first area of
Support Paragraph 2: 1The second main difference between scooters and motorcycles is the 2size of both – the actual body and engine of the vehicles themselves. 3Overall, scooters are much smaller than motorcycles. 4The scooter body has a frame that allows the rider’s legs to sit forward. A motorcycle body, however, is much larger and has a seat that is straddled by the rider 5(Moore). This makes sense seeing as scooters are typically used for short-distance transportation, in city or suburban areas, while motorcycles are often ridden long distances on highways and through mountains 5(Pinkerton). 6The body and frame are not the only difference in size between a scooter and a motorcycle. The 7size of a scooter engine compared to a motorcycle engine is quite different. 8The smallest scooter engine is only 49cc and is controlled by one gear only (Johnson). A motorcycle engine, 10[on the other hand], can be as large and powerful as an engine in a 1Transition words signaling the second Support Point: (The second main difference) 2The Sentence of the Support Paragraph 2 gives the second area of contrast between a motorcycle and motor scooter: (size). 3 General Support Sentence that sets context for the specific example that follows: (“Overall, scooters are much smaller than motorcycles.”) 4Specific Support – example with details. (The scooter body has a step-through …. on highways and through mountains) are citations from two journals the student uses in his essay: (Moore) and (Pinkerton) – see Chapter 21 Works Cited for full review of how to cite materials in your essays. 6Notice that the student writer focuses on two points of contrast in this paragraph: (“body and frame”) and 7(“the size of the engine”). Here’s the Transition sentence to the second point: [6The body and frame are not the only difference in size between a scooter and a motorcycle.] 8 Specific Support – example with details. (9The smallest scooter engine is …. is not uncommon.) 10Transition Phrase within the Specific Support from the size of the
“She read the chapter on Monday, visited the Writing Center on Tuesday, and took the exam on Wednesday.” _____ Commas with Which but not That – It is almost always true that “which” takes a comma, and “that” does not. Example: “I am taking the umbrella, which is in the closet.” “I am taking the umbrella that is in the closet.” _____ No Comma after a Subordinate Conjunction – You never have a Comma after a Subordinate Conjunction. like this: “Although, it was raining, we played the soccer match to the end.” Always like this: “Although it was raining, we played the soccer match to the end.” 5. Correct Wording _____ Its/It’s This is an exception to the possessive rule. “Its” is the possessive as in “The cat cleaned its fur.” “It’s” is the contraction meaning “It is,” as in, “It’s time to go.” Then/Than These two words are tricky. “Then” is used to show a change in time. For example: “First, I washed my clothes; then I did my assignment.” “Then” is also used with cause-effect sentences. For example: “If you want to leave on time, then you better start packing.” “Than” is used for comparisons. For example: “I like your choice better than mine.” _____ There/Their/They’re These words are pronounced the same but have different meanings. Here’s what they mean: “There” is a direction like: “over there.” “Their” shows possession like: “their car.” “They’re” is a contraction meaning: “They are.” _____ To/Too/Two These words are pronounced the same but have different meanings. Here’s what they mean: