Family History Project: Compare/Contrast Essay
Pre-Writing/Brainstorming Phase:
Brainstorm 5 or more subjects (themes) for the body paragraphs of your essay. (Some examples: school, home, fashion, entertainment, activities, interests, technology, jobs, etc.) These subjects will be the focus for your similarities and differences.
Using the "Compare or Contrast Diagram" list similarities and differences for each of your subjects. Select at least two subjects for your body paragraphs. Make sure you have similarities and differences!
Composing/Drafting Phase:
Using the information from your Family History interview, write a two-part expository essay for your language arts teacher, classmates, and family comparing and contrasting your life as an adolescent with the adolescence of the family member you interviewed. Two parts means you explain similarities and differences!
The following suggestions will help you organize your information into a well-written essay:
The purpose of an expository essay is to explain what you know using facts and examples.
The DWA rubric with the Six Traits is your guide for organization, content and ideas, voice, sentence structure, word choice, and conventions.
Use "Elements of an Excellent Essay" to springboard more ideas for your introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
Don’t forget to utilize your textbooks too!
The specific details in the opening paragraph, the introduction, should grab the reader’s attention. (Examples and suggestions given in class.)
You should create a smooth transition at the beginning of each paragraph (from the previous paragraph) that details the similarities and differences between yourself and the family member you interviewed.
The use of details and examples should add life to your writing.
The conclusion should tie everything together and show the writer’s reflection upon the subject, drawing the essay to a close. (Examples and suggestions given in class.)
After you’ve finished your first draft, evaluate, revise, and edit your essay using peers, parents, the writing resources in your notebook, and the rubric provided for this essay. Don’t assume it’s perfect the first time you write it! Set it aside for a day or two and look at it with fresh eyes to catch errors and add new ideas. Read it aloud to catch errors too. Double check your paragraphs for topic sentence, pertinent details, concluding and transition statements, as well as grammatical errors. I strongly encourage you to use a dictionary and thesaurus to enhance your writing. Look at the words we’ve covered in vocabulary lessons to assist you.
Enjoy your writing! You may use information from this essay as part of your Family History Oral Presentation.
Essay Requirements:
Minimum of four paragraphs and maximum of two pages, comparing AND contrasting adolescences
Language and information appropriate for audience (your language arts teacher, classmates, and family)
Final draft typed or written on one side of the paper in blue or black ink
Font of final draft must be legible if written or use 12 point Times New Roman font if typed (ink is black; margins are 1 inch) DBL SPACED!
Rubric for essay should be handed in on top of the final essay with all other drafts attached in descending order.
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