What is a comparison or a contrast? A comparison shows how two or more items are similar, and a contrast shows how they are different.

What is a compare/contrast essay? In this situation, the compare/contrast essay must consider both the similarities and the differences found in a fairy tale of your choice. (The example below assumes that the writer is using two fairy tale stories.) This can be achieved through either a subject-by-subject comparison or a point-by-point comparison. In class, we will look at an example using the fairy tale of Cinderella.

The trick is to not argue the obvious. When two or more things are clearly different, your challenge is to find out how they are similar. When two or more things are clearly similar, your challenge is to find out how they are similar.

Subject-by-Subject Comparison.
Here, you are essentially writing a separate essay about each subject, but you discuss the same points for both subjects. In doing so, you use the same basis of comparison to guide your selection of supporting points. The most important part of this comparison is the final synthesis section, bringing the two pieces together. Your essay will usually look like this:

· Introduction: Thesis
· Fairy Tale #1
· point 1: men
· point 2: women
· point 3: children
· Fairy Tale #2
· point 1: men
· point 2: women
· point 3: children
· Synthesis of the two Fairy Tales
· Comment/analysis on point 1 in both fairy tales
· Comment/analysis on point 2 in both fairy tales
· Comment/analysis on point 3 in both fairy tales
· Conclusion: Restates the thesis or reviews key points.

Point-by-Point Comparison.
Here, you first make a point about one subject and then follow it with a comparable point about the other. Your essay will usually look like this:
· Introduction: Thesis
· Treatment of women
· Fairy tale #1
· Fairy tale #2
· Synthesis
· Portrayal of men
· Fairy tale #1
· Fairy tale #2
· Synthesis
· Themes
· Fairy tale #1
· Fairy tale #2
· Synthesis
· Conclusion

Presentation: Two copies of your final paper are to be in the left-hand pocket of a folder. In the right hand pocket are all of your rough drafts, especially the ones critiqued by your classmates in peer review, your classmates’ one-page critique, and any outside sources you used in writing your paper. A paper not in a folder will not be acceptable to turn in.

All assignments are due at the beginning of class.
Please remember the late work policy and plagiarism penalties are in effect. Your paper will be deducted one letter grade for every day that it is late and could result in a failing grade if you plagiarize. If you have any questions, please see me as soon as possible.

Evaluation Criteria:
An “A” paper presents a well-articulated critique of the argument and conveys meaning skillfully.
A typical paper in this category
· clearly identifies important features of both texts to compare/contrast and analyzes them insightfully
· develops relevant ideas, organizes them logically, and connects them with clear transitions
· effectively supports the main points of the critique
· demonstrates control of language, including appropriate word choice and sentence variety
· demonstrates facility with the conventions (i.e., grammar, usage, and mechanics) of standard written English but may have minor errors
· reflects creativity and establishes the author’s own voice
· integrates outside sources into paper and documents the required number of sources in correct MLA documentation
· completes the required page/word length

A “C” paper demonstrates some competence in its critique of the argument and in conveying meaning but is obviously flawed.
A typical paper in this category exhibits one or more of the following characteristics:
· does not identify or analyze most of the important compare/contrast features of the text, although some analysis of the two texts is present
· limits the paper to either a comparison or a contrasting of the text, but does not do both
· mainly analyzes irrelevant matters, or reasons poorly
· is limited in the logical development and organization of ideas
· offers support of little relevance and value for points of the critique
· lacks clarity in expressing ideas
· contains occasional major errors or frequent minor errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics that can interfere with meaning
· lacks the required outside sources or the integration of these sources into the paper
· displays incorrect usage of MLA format
· does not meet the required page/word length

An “E” paper demonstrates fundamental deficiencies in both analysis AND writing.
A typical paper in this category exhibits more than one of the following characteristics:
· provides little or no evidence of the ability to understand and analyze the texts for a comparison or a contrast
· provides little or no evidence of the ability to develop an organized response
· has severe problems in language and sentence structure that persistently interfere with meaning
· contains pervasive errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics that result in incoherence or the reader’s ability to follow the argument
· lacks the required outside sources
· significantly insufficient in terms of the page/word requirement
· cites sources incorrectly or not at all, in what could be termed plagiarism

B’s and D’s will also be rewarded to papers, but the evaluation criteria is meant to give the student an idea of the grading rubric.