Compare and Contrast Student Samples 10th Grade copy 02

Below are two essays. The first one is a block essay and the second one is a point by point essay. I would like you to make two notices and two wonders about each essay.

This is a fun activity that is often done in the classroom. Let’s see if we are able to do this well in an online environment.

I have hidden the responses of your classmates until you complete yours.When the other come available, make at least two comments on what others noticed.

Notice: Highlight a paragraph that shows one of the styles listed: block or point by point. Explain what is unique to that style

Wonders: Hightlight any questions that you have about either of the essays.

Peer Response: Respond to at least two other peers notices or wonders. I have hidden the responses of your classmates until you complete yours. When the other come available, make at least two comments on what others noticed.

Comparison and Contrast Essay: Block Method

There are two basic patterns writers use for comparison/contrast essays: the block method and the point-by-point method. In the block method, you describe all the similarities in the first body paragraph and then all the differences in the second body paragraph. The guideline below will help you remember what you need to do in each part of a comparison/contrast essay using the block method.

Introduction

1. Attract the reader’s attention.

2. Provide background information about your topic.

3. Identify the two things being compared and contrasted.

4. State the purpose for making the comparison and/or contrast.

5. State the thesis.

Body Paragraphs

1. In the first paragraph, discuss the similarities.

2. In the next paragraph, discuss the differences.

Conclusion

1. Paraphrase the thesis.

2. Summarize the main similarities and differences.

3. Paraphrase the importance of the topic.

BLOCK METHOD STUDENT ESSAY

Fighting the Battle against Drugs

The use of drugs has increased in recent years, according to numerous articles in medical journals. They threaten communities all over the world because of how affect the organs of the body and their functions. Crack and cocaine are two of these dangerous drugs. Thus, it is important for health care professionals to have knowledge about them in order to deal with any problems related to their use that patients may experience. While they may appear similar at first glance, in fact they have three major differences.

Crack and cocaine have three similar effects on the human body. Although crack is heat resistant and cocaine is destroyed by heat, both cause hypertension. Also, crack and cocaine bring about physiological and psychological damage, depending on pre-existing conditions and the extent of drug use. For example, hallucination, psychosis, paranoia and aggressive behavior may occur, and an overdose of either may cause cardiac collapse or convulsion. Finally, use of both drugs can lead to addiction.

Despite crack and cocaine’s similarities, they have three major differences. First, although crack and cocaine are derived from the coca plant, they differ in form. Crack has the form of flakes whereas cocaine is found in the form of powder, which can be dissolved. Furthermore, both crack and cocaine contain cocaine, but in various percentages: crack contains as much as 90 percent pure cocaine whereas cocaine contains from 15 to 25 percent pure cocaine. Another major difference is how they enter the body. For example, crack is smoked in a pipe or cigarette. It enters the body by the lungs into the bloodstream. Cocaine, on the other hand, is inhaled as a powder or is injected if dissolved. It enters the body via the nasal mucosa into the bloodstream or, if injected, directly via the bloodstream.

In conclusion, it can be seen that, while being alike in three ways, these two drugs differ in three ways. They affect the body in similar ways. Both can lead to physiological problems such as convulsions and psychological problems such as hallucinations. Furthermore, their use may result in addiction. However, cocaine and crack differ in form, content of pure cocaine and method of entry into the body. Therefore, it is important that health care professionals know about these drugs.

Comparison and Contrast Essay: Point by Point

In a point by point structure, you write one paragraph about one point. You will address both similarities and differences on one point. For Coke or Pepsi, you might address the taste in one paragraph.

POINT BY POINT STUDENT EXAMPLE

Before the advent of computers and modern technology, people communicating over long distances used traditional means such as letters and the telephone. Nowadays we have a vast array of communication tools which can complete this task, ranging from email to instant messaging and video calls. While the present and previous means of communication are similar in their general form, they differ in regard to their speed and the range of tools available.

One similarity between current and previous methods of communication relates to the form of communication. In the past, both written forms such as letters were frequently used, in addition to oral forms such as telephone calls. Similarly, people nowadays use both of these forms. Just as in the past, written forms of communication are prevalent, for example via email and text messaging. In addition, oral forms are still used, including the telephone, mobile phone, and voice messages via instant messaging services.

However, there are clearly many differences in the way we communicate over long distances, the most notable of which is speed. This is most evident in relation to written forms of communication. In the past, letters would take days to arrive at their destination. In contrast, an email arrives almost instantaneously and can be read seconds after it was sent. In the past, if it was necessary to send a short message, for example at work, a memo could be passed around the office, which would take some time to circulate. This is different fromthe current situation, in which a text message can be sent immediately.

Another significant difference is the range of communication methods. Fifty years ago, the tools available for communicating over long distances were primarily the telephone and the letter.By comparison, there are a vast array of communication methods available today. These include not only the telephone, letter, email and text messages already mentioned, but also video conferences via software such as Skype or mobile phone apps such as Wechat, and social media such as Facebook and Twitter.

In conclusion, methods of communication have greatly advanced over the past fifty years. While there are some similarities, such as the forms of communication, there are significant differences, chiefly in relation to the speed of communication and the range of communication tools available. There is no doubt that technology will continue to progress in future, and the advanced tools which we use today may one day also become outdated.

DMU Timestamp: October 06, 2017 04:25