Compare/Contrast Composition

The Outsiders COMPARE/CONTRAST “COMPOSITION”

Compare = same/similarities Contrast = different/differences

Your topic should be one of the following:

 Compare and contrast two characters from The Outsiders

 Compare and contrast the Socs and the Greasers

 Compare and contrast problems teens have today with problems teens had in The Outsiders (the ‘60s)

 Attached are charts that will help you brainstorm ideas before starting your essay. After completing, narrow your focuses to THREE!

 Also, attached, is a pattern that you should follow for your essay. There are different ways to design a compare/contrast essay; however this model will help you focus and complete this assignment on time. COMPARING/CONTRASTING TWO CHARACTERS

Focuses Character Similarities Character

Relationships

Self-Image

Choices Reactions to Problems

COMPARING/CONTRASTING THE SOCS AND THE GREASERS

Focuses SOCS Similarities GREASERS

How society views them

How they interact with each other within their groups

What were their priorities Family life

What they did For fun

COMPARING/CONTRASTING TEEN ISSUES

Focuses Teens “then” Similarities Teens “now”

Technology

Family issues

Self-Image/Self- Esteem

Bullying

Substance Abuse Sexual issues/ Teen pregnancy

COMPARE/CONTRAST MODEL

Introduction Attention-Getter + Transitional Sentence + Theme

Body Paragraph #1 Compare and contrast first focus (point)

Body Paragraph #2 Compare and contrast second focus (point)

Body Paragraph #3 Compare and contrast third focus (point) Conclusion Begin this paragraph the same way you would an introduction. VERY briefly summarize your thoughts/wrap it up

Detamore/ELA-8 Compare/Contrast Essay 6 + 1 Rubric

IDEAS: 30 Points  Do you understand the concept of comparing and contrasting?  Have you used examples from the novel to support and develop your thoughts?

ORGANIZATION: 15 Points  Strong structure…do your thoughts flow logically? Do your paragraphs clearly support the topic sentences? Etc.  Five or more paragraphs

WORD CHOICE: 5 Points  Word variety  Colorful, descriptive words…use of vocab words, etc.

SENTENCE FLUENCY: 10 Points  Variety in sentence length  Variety in sentence beginnings  Variety in sentence structure

VOICE: 5 Points  Know your audience! For this piece, you should address a formal audience.  Even when writing formally, your own personality should shine through. CONVENTIONS: 30 Points  Correct mechanics, usage, grammar, paragraphing

PRESENTATION: 5 Points  Typed, using 12 font, double-spaced, Times-Roman or Cambria, paragraphs indented

TOTAL POINTS: 100!