The Complete Comparative Essay Unit

This Bundle contains the following resources / lessons in PPT format. It also contains links to the files in Google Drive. In addition, there is a BONUS zip folder with 7 graphic organizers and handouts in PDF format.

LESSON #1: This is the first editable PowerPoint (PPT) lesson plan in a series of five lessons. It covers the block format of a comparative essay. It includes a model essay for students to analyze. The model essay compares students' primary and secondary school experiences. It discusses how the block method of the comparative essay differs slightly from other genres that use the five-paragraph approach that students have been learning. This approach uses four paragraphs (an introduction, 2 body paragraphs, and a conclusion).

Students are reminded that the introduction should hook the reader, map out where you are going with the essay, and directly state a thesis.

The body paragraphs should each have a topic sentence and supporting details that support the thesis.

The conclusion should signal the end of the writing, summarize the main points, restate the thesis, and share a concluding thought.

This lesson focuses on how to write a thesis statement for comparative essays and how to draft a strong conclusion. Students will use Venn diagrams and templates to brainstorm ideas for their own comparative essay using the block method.

LESSON #2: This is the second editable PowerPoint (PPT) lesson plan in a series of five lessons. It reviews the block format of a comparative essay. This approach uses four paragraphs (an introduction, 2 body paragraphs, and a conclusion).

This lesson includes a model essay for students to analyze. The model essay compares printed textbooks with e-books. This lesson also teaches students language for comparing and contrasting and addresses the importance of avoiding first-person pronouns. Finally, establishing the significance of comparison, and establishing points of comparison (and how these differ from topics for comparison) are discussed. It also covers peer review of students' essays.

LESSON #3: This is the third editable PowerPoint (PPT) lesson plan in a series of five lessons. It reviews the block format of a comparative essay and introduces a new approach that focuses on points of comparison (as opposed to simply similarities and differences). This approach still uses four paragraphs (an introduction, 2 body paragraphs, and a conclusion).

This lesson includes a model essay for students to analyze. The model essay compares printed textbooks with e-books. It reviews language for comparing and contrasting and where these comparisons and contrasts should be made in this new approach to the block comparative essay. Finally, students will engage in peer review of the introduction and conclusion of the essay they wrote for homework. It also covers helpful hints, such as presenting points of comparison in order, and where in the essay comparisons & contrasts should be made.

LESSON #4: This is the fourth editable PowerPoint (PPT) lesson plan in a series of five lessons. It reviews topics and points of comparison. It reviews last week's model essay on using the block method to discuss points of comparison. It then introduces a new approach to comparative essay writing - the point-by-point method. This approach uses five paragraphs (an introduction, 3 body paragraphs, and a conclusion).

This lesson builds on last lesson's model essay by revising it to fit the point-by-point method. Students are able to analyze and contrast the two approaches. The model essay compares printed textbooks with e-books. The PPT includes graphic organizers and templates to help students draft their first point-by-point comparative essay.

LESSON #5: This is the fifth editable PowerPoint (PPT) lesson plan in a series of five lessons. It reviews the point-by-point and block methods of comparative essay writing. In addition to the previous model essay comparing eBooks and printed books, this resource contains another comparative essay on summer and winter seasons. This lesson also reviews topics, points, and significance of comparison, as well as language for comparing and contrasting.

This lesson asks students to offer suggestions to their peers on the point-by-point essay they drafted in the last lesson, so they can publish their essays for homework. The PPT includes a series of slides to assist with the model essay analysis and peer review.

CHECK OUT THE LANGUAGE ARTS GALLERY FOR MAKE GREAT PRODUCTS!