Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Comparison Essays

Today I will introduce Comparison Essays. In a normal comparison essay, you compare the good and bad points about two related topics. In my version, however, we will make is easier by emphasizing the good points of one thing compared to another. To put it simply, we will explain why one thing is better than another thing. For example, we might explain why we think motorcycles are better than cars, or why baseball is better than soccer. Of course, these examples are opinions, but that's OK. We are often called upon in real life and in business to persuade people that one thing is better than another. Today's essay topic is practice in doing that.

To prepare ourselves for the comparison essay, let's blog about something and write why we think it's better than something else. For example, look at the following list:

* Backstreet Boys & SMAP
* Yokohama & Tokyo
* Japanese food & Western food
* traveling alone & traveling with a group
* taking the train & driving
* baseball & soccer

Choose one from a pair above (or a different pair) and explain why it's better than the other. For example, if you like SMAP better than the Backstreet Boys, give 3 reasons why you think SMAP is better.

When you write your complete comparison essay (Essay #2), you can choose the same topic or a different one. The complete essay, of course, will be longer. It will have a thesis sentence, and 3 reasons, but each reason will have a paragraph with specific details and supporting examples. Following is a sample of a complete comparison essay, with a thesis sentence followed by 3 paragraphs that support the thesis. I have also posted a complete essay that has an introduction & conclusion (5 paragraphs). The thesis sentence is in the introduction. The easy (3-paragraph) essay is the homework for this week, but if you wish to challenge yourself, you may write the longer (5-paragraph) version.

Motorcycles Are Better Than Cars (Easy Version)
Motorcycles Are Better Than Cars (Version with Introduction & Conclusion)

18 comments:

  1. Hai,I,m yahiloid. I think KARA are better than ABBA. I have a three reason.
    first reason is ABBA,s music is swinging more KARA and second reason is they lyric is a little ironic
    third reason is famous music very much/

    ReplyDelete
  2. soccer is better than basketball

    1.1point is worth much more than basketball.
    2.a soccer field is much larger than a basketball court.
    3.There are much more tricks you can do with a soccerball than a basketball.

    Akira

    ReplyDelete
  3. Cars are bettter than bikes.
    Car can ride more than bike.It can listen music.
    It's not cold in winter. But I ride bike too because it is so useful

    Kenta

    ReplyDelete
  4. Winter is better than summer. First, I think that winter clothes are prittiet than summer clithes. Next, I better winter event tnan summer event. Finally, I don't like hot.

    ReplyDelete
  5. bicycle+motercycle.
    Bicycle is better than motercycle.First,bycycle is not delay.Second,we feel windows.Thrid,economical.

    Aya

    ReplyDelete
  6. Winter is better than summer. First, I think that winter clothes are prittiet than summer clithes. Next, I better winter event tnan summer event. Finally, I don't like hot.

    Mayo

    ReplyDelete
  7. RedBull is Better Than LipobitanD

    First, RedBull is more delicious than LipobitanD.
    Next, RedBull is more effective than LipobitanD.
    Finally, RedBull is funnier than LipobitanD.

    YurikaOki

    ReplyDelete
  8. Traveling alone is better than traveling with a group.

    1st,you can eat everything that you want.
    2nd,you can visit everywhere that you want.
    3rd,you can see yourself as you are.

    Kazuma

    ReplyDelete
  9. Tokyo Is Better Than Yokohama

    Tokyo is better than Yokohama. First, you can go anywhere even overseas. Second, you can buy anything you want. Third, there are a lot of dating spots in Tokyo.
    Kyoko

    ReplyDelete
  10. cars are better than train

    First,cars are more relax than train.
    next,cars are more free than train.
    Finally,cars are more enjoy than train.

    shota

    ReplyDelete
  11. Cheesecake is better than shortcake.
    Because cheese is the most favorite food.And I don't like fresh cream.Finally I like these taste.
    Yukiko

    ReplyDelete
  12. American music is better than Japanese music. Because i think American musicians has more passion in music than Japanese musicians. Second, most of American musician has great voice. Third, I think Japanese are trying to make music like american's and I just don't like it.

    Minami

    ReplyDelete
  13. Yokohama Is Better Than Tokyo.
    Yokohama have more beautiful a night view than Tokyo.
    Yokohama is clearer air than Tokyo.
    Yokohama is more convenient than Tokyo.

    chiharu

    ReplyDelete
  14. Taking the train is better than driving.First,taking the train is more confortable than driving.
    Next, taking the train is cheaper than driving.
    Finally, taking the train is accurater than driving.

    satsuki

    ReplyDelete
  15. Japanese food is better than Western food.

    Japanese food is healthy.
    Japanese food is delicious.
    Japanese food is high quality.

    Rika

    ReplyDelete
  16. Japanease food better than Western food.Japanease food is healthy,feeling season and delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Japanease food better than Western food.Japanease food is healthy,feeling season and delicious!

    Haruna

    ReplyDelete
  18. Yuka

    I chose Japanese food&Western food.
    Japanese food is better than Western food.
    Because Japanese food is low calorie,many vegetable and various food.

    ReplyDelete

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