Unit 7 Portf olio Assignment

Unit 7 Portfolio Assignment “Writing a Compare/Contrast Essay” ─

6th Grade Language Arts & 6th Grade Gifted & Talented Language Arts Willamette Connections Academy Mrs. Love & Mr. McKenzie Unit 7, Lessons 16 - 19

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Overview You will be writing a four-paragraph compare and contrast essay at the end of unit seven.

Goals 1. Students will be able to compare and contrast two objects, locations, people, or

ideas, and provide three similarities and three differences.

2. Students will be able to write a compare and contrast essay with a clear introduction, supporting details, and conclusions.

Step one/Day one: (30 min. to 45 min)

First, Complete the page from the “Compare and Contrast Essay Steps” document below called “Choosing a Topic.” There are five possible options to choose from:

● Think of two different stores that sell the same type of merchandise (clothes, shoes, electronics, etc.) Explain how the stores are similar and different.

● Consider two cities, countries, or vacation spots you’ve visited in the past. Explain the similarities and differences that stand out about the two places.

● Write about two different seasons that are enjoyable. Explain how the seasons are similar and how they are different.

● Compare and contrast two people you look up to. Explain the similarities they share and their differences.

● Write about two “heroes” in books or movies that stand out to you. Explain ways these characters are the same and ways they are different.

● Think of two popular video games. Explain the similarities they share and the ways they are different.

-OR-

Choose your own two items to compare and contrast that you know a lot about and would be interested in writing about.

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Next, Complete the “Pre-Writing Organizer” that will help you to organize your topic and supporting details (what the problem is, and what possible solutions are).

Step two/Day two: (45 min. to one hour)

First, Look over the graphic organizer you created yesterday regarding the problem/solution topic that you are planning to write. Then, spend about 15-20 minutes doing some research online regarding your topics to gather facts and take notes. Think about the following questions to look up in your research online (Google-searching your topic is a good place to start):

● What do I already know about these topics? ● What do I still need to learn? ● What are some facts about both?

Next, Begin working on the introduction of your essay, using the graphic organizer on page four called “Drafting Your Introduction.” You can use the “sample essay” mentor text on page eight as a guide to show you what your essay could look like. You can hand-write your introduction or you can type it in a Microsoft Word or Google Doc online.

After that, Begin working on the second paragraph of your essay (the first paragraph where you will begin to provide some supporting facts and details) , using the graphic organizer on page four called “Drafting Your Paragraph Two.” You can use the “sample essay” mentor text on page eight as a guide to show you what your essay could look like.

Step three/Day three: (30-45 min.)

First, Look over what you wrote yesterday. Then, work on elaborating, explaining, providing anecdotes, or other ways to illustrate your ideas to add more information to your paragraphs.

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Next, Begin working on the third paragraph of your essay, using the graphic organizer on page four called “Drafting Your Paragraph Three.” You can use the “sample essay” mentor text on page eight as a guide to show you what your essay could look like. You can hand-write your introduction or you can type it in a Microsoft Word or Google Doc online.

After that, Begin working on the conclusion paragraph of your essay (the last paragraph where you will bring your writing to a close and emphasize your most important points again) , using the graphic organizer on page four called “Drafting Your Conclusion.” You can use the “sample essay” mentor text on page eight as a guide to show you what your essay could look like.

Step four/Day four: (45 min. to one hour)

First, Look over what you wrote the past three days on your graphic organizers. Next, type up a final draft, read it aloud, get feedback from your Learning Coach, proofread and revise it, and make sure the following things were done:

● Name and date at the top of your paper in the left hand corner. ● All proper nouns (first and last names, specific people, places, and things)

were capitalized. ● End punctuation is present for all sentences. ● Misspelled words were corrected.

Then, complete the proofreading checklist at the bottom of this assignment.

After that, Upload your Word or PDF document to the Unit 6, lesson 27 Quick Check Dropbox called “Informational Text Analysis Portfolio” to turn it in!

In an compare/contrast essay, a writer discusses two topics, expressing their

similarities and differences. A compare/contrast essay is considered informative

writing, which is writing that conveys information. Informative writing does not

include a writer’s personal opinions or beliefs.

You are going to write a compare/contrast essay containing four paragraphs,

including an introduction and conclusion.

Name________________________________ Class______

COMPARE/CONTRAST Essay

:

INTRODUCTION

SIMILARITIES

DIFFERENCES

CONCLUSION

Once you have a topic, brainstorm for ideas and examples to use in your essay.

Then you will complete a graphic organizer to get all your information down in the

correct order and structure for the essay.

Next, you will be drafting your essay on step-by-step templates that will help guide

your writing. Finally, you will edit, revise, and create your final copy.

©Copyright2017 Joy Sexton – All Rights Reserved – Internet Display Prohibited

Name_____________________________________ Class_______

It’s time to decide on a topic for your compare/contrast essay! You may have some

ideas already about a topic you’d like to write about, or you might want to choose

from one of the suggested topics below.

1. Think of two different stores that sell the same type of merchandise (clothes,

shoes, electronics, etc.) Explain how the stores are similar and different.

2. Consider two movies you’ve seen and remember. Explain the similarities and

differences that stand out about the two movies.

3. Write about two different seasons that are enjoyable. Explain how the

seasons are similar and how they are different.

4. Compare and contrast two people you look up to. Explain the similarities

they share and their differences.

5. Write about two “heroes” in books or movies that stand out to you. Explain

ways these characters are the same and ways they are different.

6. Think of two popular video games. Explain the similarities they share and the

ways they are different.

To choose your own topic for the essay, you’ll need to have TWO persons, places, or

things to compare and contrast. Brainstorm in the space below for topic ideas.

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- INTRODUCTION - State the MAIN IDEA or “thesis.” To do so, name the two topics and express that they have similarities and differences.

Name_____________________________________ Class_______


Similarity #1

Similarity #2

Similarity #3

(BODY PARAGRAPH)SIMILARITIES

You will list three ways the topics are similar.

Difference #1

Difference #2

Difference #3

(BODY PARAGRAPH)DIFFERENCES

You will list three ways the topics are different.

- CONCLUSION - Re-state the MAIN IDEA or “thesis,” but use different wording than in your Introduction. Briefly sum up your strongest examples.

Your INTRODUCTION should grab the reader’s attention, introduce the topic, and

clearly express the main idea (or “thesis”) you will present about your topic.

Directions: Follow the prompts to draft each sentence of your first paragraph

on the lines provided.

ATTENTION-GRABBER: Begin with the attention-grabber that you already drafted. Copy it on the lines.

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Write a sentence (or two) that gives more detail or further explains your attention grabber.

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Now, state the MAIN IDEA (or thesis) of the essay. To help you with this sentence, check the information

you placed in the first section on your Pre-Writing Organizer.

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Name_____________________________________

Your Introduction will become the first paragraph of your essay.

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TOPIC SENTENCE: Begin with a sentence that includes both topics and states that they have similarities or things in common. (Topic sentence lets the reader know what the paragraph will be about.)

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Write a sentence that states the FIRST similarity. Begin with a transition such as For example.

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Next, add a sentence (or two) that gives more detail or description to further explain that similarity.

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Now, write a sentence that states the SECOND similarity. Begin this sentence with a transition (such as

Also, In addition, Additionally, or Next).

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Now, write a sentence that states the THIRD similarity. Begin this sentence with a transition (such as

Furthermore, Additionally, Lastly, or Moreover).

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Write a concluding sentence that “sums up” the ideas presented in the paragraph.

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Directions: Follow the prompts to draft each sentence of your second paragraph on the lines.


Name_____________________________________

TOPIC SENTENCE: Begin with a sentence that includes both topics and states that they have differences

between them. (Suggestion: Begin by linking from the last paragraph. EX: Besides all their similarities, . . .)

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Write a sentence that states the FIRST difference. Begin with a transition such as For instance.

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Next, add a sentence (or two) that gives more detail or description to further explain that difference.

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Now, write a sentence that states the SECOND difference. Begin this sentence with a transition (such as

Also, In addition, Additionally, or Next).

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Now, write a sentence that states the THIRD difference. Begin this sentence with a transition (such as

Furthermore, Additionally, Lastly, or Moreover).

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Write a concluding sentence that “sums up” the ideas presented in the paragraph.

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Directions: Follow the prompts to draft each sentence of your third paragraph on the lines.


Name_____________________________________

Name_____________________________________

Your concluding paragraph should bring your essay to a close and emphasize

your most important, overall ideas.

Directions: Follow the prompts to draft each sentence of your CONCLUSION on the

lines provided. You will use the ideas on your Pre-writing Organizer.

To begin your FIRST SENTENCE, start with a concluding transition or transitional phrase such as:

___Therefore, ___Without a doubt, ___Overall, ___Unquestionably

___All in all, ___To conclude, ___Undoubtedly, ___In closing,

and then re-state your MAIN IDEA (see Introduction’s last sentence), but use some different wording.

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Next, state a “summing up” sentence that mentions an example or two that stands out in the essay.

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Now, write a final statement explaining the overall importance of the information or why it is relevant to

the reader.

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Note: Your conclusion may contain more than three sentences. Add another

sentence for each heading to extend your ideas, if desired.

“The British are coming!” shouted Paul Revere, helping his fellow colonists in

their fight for freedom from British rule. “I have a dream,” announced Martin

Luther King, Jr., another historical figure who, like Revere, greatly helped our

world become a better place. Revere and King are similar in their desires and

actions, but also have differences.

Both American heroes, Paul Revere and Martin Luther King, Jr. share a

number of similarities. For instance, they each had a strong desire to help

others. They wanted to make life better for people than conditions were at the

time. Also, both men exerted a lot of energy and drive to carry out their work. On

Paul Revere’s famous ride, he rode through town after town after midnight,

alerting the citizens. Martin Luther King, Jr. led many exhausting, long marches.

Furthermore, both men did not give up but instead persevered. They each fought

against a big, forceful adversary, but showed persistence to bring about

immense change. The positive qualities Revere and King share make them

standouts in history.

Beyond their similarities, these two historical icons had different

circumstances to deal with. First of all, King was fighting to improve race

relations and for equality for African-Americans, while Revere was working to free

America from British control. King’s work started in the 1960s, with Revere’s way

back in colonial America. Next, Martin was able to give his speeches openly, but

Revere was forced to carry out most of his work secretly. He couldn’t afford to let

word of the Patriot’s plans get back to the British. Finally, King ended up losing

his life for his cause, but Revere was not killed by his enemies. King,

unfortunately, met with an assassin’s bullet, and we now celebrate a national

holiday in his memory. These differences were based on the social and political

problems during Revere and King’s lives.

Overall, Paul Revere and Martin Luther King, Jr. share similarities in their

goals and accomplishments, yet their circumstances are quite different.

Whether on horseback or marching through the streets, they worked

tirelessly for freedom. These prominent men in history made a huge

impact on people’s everyday lives. By J. Sexton


COMPARE/CONTRAST SAMPLE ESSAY

Transitions are needed to introduce ideas and connect ideas in writing.

When you use a transition at the beginning of a sentence, you must follow

the transition with a comma.

To Add Information

Also,

In addition,

Additionally,

Furthermore,

Equally important,

For example,

For instance,

, as well as ________

not only_____, but also

Moreover,

Finally, (for last example)

To Compare

Similarly,

Likewise,

In the same way,

At the same time,

To Contrast

However,

On the other hand,

In contrast,

But

Even though

Although

Then again,

Despite

Nevertheless,

Nonetheless,

To Emphasize

Above all,

Unquestionably,

indeed

certainly

of course

surely

truly

definitely

especially

particularly

To Sum Up

Unquestionably,

Undoubtedly,

Therefore,

Overall,

All in all,

To conclude,

In conclusion,

Without a doubt,

All things considered,

On the whole,

To Show Time

Eventually,

Immediately,

In the meantime,

Previously,

Afterward,

Meanwhile,

Before

During

Name____________________________________

• Transitions that are not capitalized above can be used within sentences.

• Transitions that are not followed by a comma above usually require more wording

before the comma is needed. Example: Even though smoking is harmful, many

people continue to smoke.

TO INTRODUCE AND CONNECT IDEAS

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Name______________________________________

REVISING & EDITING ChecklistIt’s time to revise and edit! Read each paragraph of your draft with a red pen

or colored writing utensil in hand.

• Revise your sentences to make your ideas more clear and vivid.

• Edit your sentences to correct errors in capitalization, punctuation,

spelling, and grammar.

• Before you start, read over the checklist below for some reminders.

Yes Partially No

1. I checked that every sentence begins with a

capital letter and contains end punctuation.

2. I made sure every sentence is clear and

complete (no fragments or run-on sentences).

3. I have followed the rules for capitalization.

All of my proper nouns (specific people, places,

etc.) are capitalized.

4. I used a comma after all my transitions and

transitional phrases.

5. I have used apostrophes correctly for

ownership and contractions.

6. I have a strong attention-grabber that fits one of

the four types given.

7. I completed the requirements of the

sentence prompts for all paragraphs of

the essay.

8. I have revised my writing to include some vivid

and descriptive words.

9. I have revised my writing to include

sentences of varying lengths and structures.

10. My conclusion provides a strong “wrap up”

of my main ideas.

Directions: Read each statement. Then look over your essay. Place a

checkmark in the column that best responds to the statement.


NOTE: If you checked No or Partially, you may go back and continue to edit or revise. Then

change your checkmark to Yes if you have fulfilled the requirement that is stated.

Unit 7 Portf olio Assignment

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