Compare and Contrast

Essay Writing

Program Overview• Types of compare and contrast essay tasks

• Pulling apart essay topics

• Important / less important evidence

• What’s in a good introduction?

• Integrated comparison

• Practising comparative writing

• Conclusions

Compare and contrast

essay tasks

VCAA Examples

Instruction task

Compare the ways the distortions of truth have impact [sic] on the

lives of the characters in Nineteen Eighty Four and Stasiland.

Question task

How do the authors of Nineteen Eighty Four and Stasiland explore

the destruction of history and the effect this has on the characters?

Quote task

Compare Nineteen Eighty-Four and Stasiland using the following

quotations as the basis for your response:

‘Everything faded into mist. The past was erased, the erasure was

forgotten, the lie became truth.’ Nineteen Eighty-Four

‘I look at the box in her arms and know that you cannot destroy your

past, nor what it does to you.’ Stasiland

Other examples

• Basic: Both The Great Gatsby and All About Eve are

about having a dream.

• Standard:Both The Great Gatsby and All About Eve

are about having a dream and sacrificing everything

to achieve it.

• Perspective response: Although both The Great

Gatsby and All About Eve are about sacrificing to

achieve a dream, they have fundamentally different

messages about this.

True of both texts Not true

Or

Alternative interpretation

Part 1 Both The Great

Gatsby and All

About Eve are

about having a

dream

Part 2 and sacrificing

everything

Part 3 to achieve it.

True of both texts Just One Text

Part 1 ‘Nothing is forever

in the Theatre.

Whatever it is, it’s

here, it flares up,

and then it’s gone.’

All About Eve

Part 2 ‘Can’t repeat the

past?…Why of course

you can.’ The Great

Gatsby

Important / Less

Important

Important Not Important

Similarities

Eve and Gatsby come from poor

backgrounds

Both have a narrator that supports

their dreams

Both protagonists are theatrical

Both Eve and Gatsby are trying

to break up a marriage

Differences

Eve dreams of personal ambition;

Gatsby dreams of love

Eve tries to destroy others

Eve is a woman; Gatsby is not

Structuring your essay

Text 1 Text Two

Point of comparison: Setting

How does the setting affect the

lives and experiences of the

characters?

Both:

Just this text: Just this text:

Point of comparison:

Protagonists

How do major characters act or

how are they affected?

Both:

Just this text: Just this text:

Point of comparison: Supporting

Characters

How do supporting characters

act or how are they affected?

Both:

Just this text: Just this text:

Point of comparison: Techniques

How do techniques show this

idea throughout the text?

Both:

Just this text: Just this text:

Point of comparison:

Ending/Overall message

What does the ending of the text

ultimately show about this idea?

Both:

Just this text: Just this text:

Plan + Topic sentences

Topic + perspective

Both All About Eve and The Great Gatsby

are set in worlds in which people seek to

create more glamorous versions of

themselves.

The two

texts…

Both

texts…

Each…

differ…

separate…

diverge…

provide…

explore…

merge…

mirror…

connect…

fundamental/ly

important/ly

critical/ly

significant/ly

essential/ly

crucial/ly

principal/ly

necessary/ily

decided/ly

compelling/ly

extensive/ly

primary/ily

comprehensive/ly

broad/ly

conclusive/ly

definitive/ly

precise/ly

specific/ally

…in order to…

…so that…

…to create…

…to highlight…

…resulting in…

…for the…

Text Response Compare and Contrast

3-5 body paragraphs 3-4 body paragraphs

150-250 words each 250-350 words each

700-800 words 900-1200 words

Effective introductions

Topic: 1984 and Gattaca both present bleak visions of dystopian

societies.

Since science fiction texts are concerned with how humans

utilise technology, the genre generally presents us with a

picture of oppressive societies where science is used to

control individuals. In other words, science fiction explores our

fears about how we might use technology to gain power over

each other. This is certainly the case in George Orwell’s novel

Nineteen Eighty-Four and the film Gattaca, directed by

Andrew Niccol. Both texts show us a grim world where there

is limited, if non-existent, privacy and where technology is

used by powerful organisations to control citizens. But there is

an important difference in the message each text gives us in

the end about the capacity of humanity to overcome

dehumanising societies. Orwell’s text says to us at its

conclusion that humans, working as individuals, are ultimately

too weak to defeat more powerful groups who have dominant

technology. However, Niccol’s version of the science fiction

story is much more hopeful: individual’s humanity is not only

able to overcome the powerful forces that oppress him, but

provide an inspiration to others around him.

Introductory statement:

What do texts of this genre

or about this topic seek to

explore/show us?

Identification of important

connection between the

texts in terms of essay

topics

Perspective about degree

of similarities and

differences and a

contention about an

important similarity or

difference

Introductory statement

*Texts which deal with the idea of…seek to

explore/depict/represent…

*Films and plays/novels which

explore…frequently/commonly represent…

*The idea of//issue of…is commonly explored in texts

which shows us/reveal to us how…

*The idea of/theme of/issue of…is commonly

explored through stories/narratives of…

*Dealing with/confronting/coming to terms with….is

an idea which…

Identification of connection

Both texts show us/give us/depict/ portray/represent/reveal…

*…worlds of/worlds where/societies in which…

*…lives of…

*…characters who…

*…struggles against…

*…journeys to/of…

Perspective / contention Yet, However, Nevertheless

Integrated comparison

*Gattaca and Nineteen Eighty-Four are each set worlds where powerful

organisations seek to control individuals in order to create what they

believe is a better society. The product of this control is not, in fact, a

perfect place to live, but rather a grim environment of conformity and

fear where individuals have lost the thing which gives them their

humanity: individuality.

*However, as in all science fiction texts, Orwell’s novel and Niccol’s film

features protagonists who struggle against the grimness of the

oppressive society they find themselves in.

*Similar as they appear, Eugene and Winston differ significantly in the

courage and strength they ultimately display in each text.

However, the way in which power is most insidiously wielded is not through

technology, but through the means by which governments control and

manipulate the minds of its citizens. Orwell is far more explicit about this in

Nineteen Eighty-Four, writing that ‘[p]ower is in tearing human minds to

pieces and putting them together again in new shapes of your own

choosing’ - by manipulating the language in which its people speak, the

Party can control the ways in which they think and communicate with

each other. The control in Gattaca is not so categorical, but it is nevertheless

apparent that the characters within this world accept the premise that

genetically modified people are ‘the best’ of their parents’ DNA. In both texts,

the cultural setting is such that it prevents alternative ways of viewing the world,

the dominant paradigm is so successful that people are brainwashed into

accepting a certain viewpoint. Orwell is extremely critical of the way in

which people accept these dominant societal thought patterns, observing

that the ‘choice for mankind lies between freedom and happiness’ but that

the vast majority believe ‘happiness is better’. For the reader, this is both

observation and warning - Orwell cautions that we surrender freedom at

our peril. The message that Niccol offers is both subtler and more hopeful. On

the one hand, he cautions that to accept a scientific measure of perfection is

both flawed and dangerous, but the chain of characters who allow one man to

overcome this system of discrimination demonstrates to his audience his point

that ‘there is no gene for the human spirit’. Niccol’s film suggests that each

person, from Jerome, to Dr Lamar to Irene, are each willing to buck the system

into which they have been indoctrinated, allowing Vincent to achieve his

dreams. While Orwell suggests that people lose their sense of self when their

minds are controlled, Niccol is more optimistic, allowing that individuals will

never be defeated by the strictures of society.

B

1

2

B

1

1

2

2

B

Transitions

However, the way in which power is most insidiously wielded is not through technology,

but through the means by which governments control and manipulate the minds of its

citizens. Orwell is far more explicit about this in Nineteen Eighty-Four, writing that

‘[p]ower is in tearing human minds to pieces and putting them together again in new

shapes of your own choosing’ - by manipulating the language in which its people speak,

the Party can control the ways in which they think and communicate with each other. The

control in Gattaca is not so categorical, but it is nevertheless apparent that the

characters within this world accept the premise that genetically modified people are ‘the

best’ of their parents’ DNA. In both texts, the cultural setting is such that it prevents

alternative ways of viewing the world, the dominant paradigm is so successful that people

are brainwashed into accepting a certain viewpoint. Orwell is extremely critical of the way

in which people accept these dominant societal thought patterns, observing that the

‘choice for mankind lies between freedom and happiness’ but that the vast majority believe

‘happiness is better’. For the reader, this is both observation and warning - Orwell cautions

that we surrender freedom at our peril. The message that Niccol offers is both subtler

and more hopeful. On the one hand, he cautions that to accept a scientific measure of

perfection is both flawed and dangerous, but the chain of characters who allow one man to

overcome this system of discrimination demonstrates to his audience his point that ‘there is

no gene for the human spirit’. Niccol’s film suggests that each person, from Jerome, to Dr

Lamar to Irene, are each willing to buck the system into which they have been

indoctrinated, allowing Vincent to achieve his dreams. While Orwell suggests that people

lose their sense of self when their minds are controlled, Niccol is more optimistic, allowing

that individuals will never be defeated by the strictures of society.

Transition words ‘is’ transitions

However

On the other hand

In contrast

Although

While

Character / Author / Text

is more

is far more

is - er

is not so

Basic transition words and phrases Advanced transition words and

phrases

Moreover

Furthermore

However

Yet

Although

While

On the one hand

On the other hand

Similarly

Likewise

Unlike

In comparison

In contrast

Conversely

Further to this

In addition to this

Providing a point of contrast…

Providing a further point of similarity is…

Mirroring…

Paralleling this…

Appearing on the surface as similar, but

in fact quite different, is…

Departing from…

Diverging from…

Starkly contrasting this…

Offering a (different/similar)…

Creating a (different/similar)…

Corresponding to this…

This…is mirrored by/through/with…

This…is paralleled b/through/with…

differs

parallels

Compare and contrast

sentence types

Lead in / main part /

extra information

Opener / Lead In Main Part Add On

Viewed alongside each other,

Also: read, considered, other -ed

words

In terms of their heroic qualities,

Throughout the struggles they

face,

Also: By, through

Unlike the settings of the two

texts

Also: Like, Similar to, In the same

way, In contrast to

the two protagonists are very

similar

echoing each other in the way

they respond to situations of

conflict.

not only in their physical

qualities but in their emotions

ones as well.

since they both rely on the help

of others to succeed.

Also: because

: each character must face their

struggle alone in order to

succeed.

and, and also, together with,

coupled with

In one sentenceUnlike Eve who thinks that “….”, Gatsby believes

“…”

Two different

sentences

Eve’s character is driven by the need to “….”

emphasising her character’s….This attitude is not

present in Gatsby who is motivated by…”…”

Two sentences / two

sentences

Mankiewicz critique of ambition is scathing and relentless; through

the character of Margo, he demonstrates that people drop things ‘on

the way up the ladder’ forgetting ‘you’ll need them again’. These

lessons that Margo learns, however, are not passed on to Eve and,

on the night she receives her prize, Eve realises too late that she has

abandoned all hope of friendship and love in order to accomplish

her ambitions.

The message that Fitzgerald offers in contrast, is both more hopeful and

more tragic. On the one hand, he demonstrates that dreams of love can

sustain us, help us to succeed and to ‘stretch out our arms further’, but on

the other hand Gatsby’s path is lonely and, ultimately, hopeless.

Like Unlike

Like…

Just as…so too…

Similar to…

Essentially, both texts/characters/scenes…

At their core, both texts/characters/scenes…

To a great degree, texts/characters/scenes

…share…

…echo each other in the way they…

…have in common…

… seek to…

…represent

Unlike…

Different to…

While…

Departing from…

Diverging from…

…differs…

…varies….

extra information words:and, but, either, or, along with, because, since, in order to, in, for, from, with, by, through, throughout,

showing, producing, illustrating, emphasising, not only…but also…

example words:*thinks…” “, believes…”…”

*[character’s name] belief in…” “, suggestion that…” “, view of…” “

*says, believes, thinks, shows that they are…when they say…”…”

*who thinks, who believes, who says

Slow writing

• Only use compare and contrast verbs

• Every sentence must start a different way

• Every sentence must be more than 30 words

• B12B1122B

Conclusions

While, at their core All About Eve and The Great

Gatsby have some similar warnings about

ambition, they diverge significantly in final

message. Each text imagines a protagonist who

must live a lonely life in order to achieve their

dreams of fulfilment. What makes The Great

Gatsby a less censorial analysis of ambition is

that it offers us hope, that even against all odds,

we can achieve moments of perfect love and

happiness, even if these are ultimately doomed.

This is perhaps because the dreams Gatsby

has are not of solely of money and career

success, but are motivated by love, even if this

love is immature. In contrast, Joseph

Mankiewicz’s All About Eve presents us with a

story without such hope, whose ‘leading lady’ is

hollow and whose victories are meaningless,

and which serves as a stark warning to readers

about what will happen if we let dreams of

professional success take precedence over

friendship and love.

Concluding phrase

Analytical verb

Perspective phrase

Three pronged sentence

Concluding word/phrase

In the final analysis

Ultimately

In the end

Fundamentally

In essence

At their core

Analytic verb

imagine, create, envisage, construct, express, articulate,

demonstrate, convey, caution, warn, advocate, point out,

highlight, underline, emphasise, provide, give the reader

Perspective phrase

Yet what…

Yet what most importantly…

underling both texts

connecting each text

throughout both texts

separating the texts

differentiating the texts

the essential point of difference

But perhaps the most important…

Thank you