Comparison Essay

Directions:

      In an essay with a thesis statement (or controlling idea) compare Pa Sexton from “The Split-Cherry Tree” and Granddaddy Cain from “Blues Ain’t No Mockin’ Bird” by the physical description, characterization (how they act and why), or how they reinforce the main ideas (theme) of the story.  Make sure you use specifics from the text. 

 

Remember – Topic sentence, generalization that relates back to the topic sentence, specific examples that reinforce generalization. 

 

You need at least 2 generalizations and four specific examples

 

You will be graded on the following:

 

1) Introductory Paragraph - Hook, Thesis Statement, Order of Development 

 

2) Body Paragraphs - How well you use specific evidence to back up/reinforce your comparisons.

 

3) Conclusion Paragraph - do you return to your thesis and hook, and do you offer the reader something further to consider

 

4) Syntax and Grammar - do you vary your sentences, and are there any grammar errors.

 

 

If you haven't highlighted anything on your stories you may wish to do so before you begin writing.  We will be going over an outline guide in class.

 

 

 

OUTLINE GUIDE:

 

“The Split-Cherry Tree” and “Blues Ain’t No Mockin’ Bird” Comparison Essay

 

I.               Opening Paragraph (Hook, Thesis, Order of Development)

 

A.   THESIS (Write your thesis here):

Example: Pa Sexton from “The Split Cherry Tree” and Granddaddy Cain from “Blues Ain’t No Mockin’ Bird” can be (compared or contrasted) by their descriptions.

 

B.    Order of Development (the two or three points)

 

II.             Body Paragraphs

 

A.   Comparison #1

 

 

 

1.     Evidence from text to back up Comparison:

 

a.     Explanation of evidence

 

 

2.     Evidence #2

 

 

a.     Explanation of evidence

 

 

 

 

B.    Comparison #2

 

 

 

1.     Evidence #1

 

 

a.     Explanation

 

 

 

2.     Evidence #2

III.           Conclusion

 

Reword thesis, return to hook, end with something further for the reader to consider.

 

 

 

RUBRIC:

 

4 – A+

Opening is inventive and connects hook/thesis and order of development together.

 

Body/Evidence- the evidence is specific and analyzed to back up thesis statement.  Analysis is insightful.

 

Conclusion – creatively returns to the hook and restates the thesis with a new look at the topic.

 

Syntax Grammar – syntax is poetical, vocabulary is distinctive, and there are no errors.

 

	3 – A	2 – C	1 – NC
Opening Paragraph: Thesis Statement, Order of Development	Hook, Thesis, and Order of development are clear and logical	Thesis Statement or Order of Development is awkward or not completely clear but the idea behind it is understandable	No Thesis Statement present or Thesis is hard to read
Body Paragraphs – Evidence from Text, Explanation of Evidence	Evidence from text is introduced, clear, and explain.  Backs up Thesis and topic points	Evidence from the text is given but may not read smoothly or may not back up thesis or topic points completely or the explanation of evidence is not adequate	Evidence from text is missing
Conclusion	Conclusion restates thesis in a new way, returns to hook, and ends with something further for the reader to consider	Conclusion restates thesis but not in a new way or the conclusion is awkwardly worded and doesn’t add anything new for the reader to consider	Conclusion is missing or incomplete
Syntax and Grammar	Interesting syntax and no major grammar errors	More than two grammar errors; overuse of “To Be” verbs; overused of same-type of sentence structures	Numerous errors