Compare/Contrast Essay Notes

We have spent some time now reading "King Midas and the Golden Touch" and the Monkey's Paw. In addition to reading these two texts together in class, we also filled out a graphic to help the students see the similarities and differences.

Here are notes on writing this essay:

•Introduction should be at least 6 sentences.

•Big idea:

•Introduce stories, authors, genre

•Give a summary of the stories

•Thesis: What are you going to prove.

(Both stories demonstrate how interfering with fate can cause sorrow, but in different ways.) OR

(Both stories highlight the importance of being thankful for what you have, but in different ways.)

Comparing: students are allowed to use my beginning, but they must include 2 additional similarities and explain the importance of these.

The myth of Midas and the short story have similar elements. To begin, both selections have the granting of wishes. While Midas wishes that everything he touched turn to gold, the Whites wish for 200 pounds. Both selections demonstrate the human weakness of greed. Both families have more than enough of what they need; however, they both want more.

Contrast: Students can use this section too, but they understand that is only includes one-third of the required explanation.

Although these similarities exist, there are differences as well. For example, since the Midas story is a myth, a god is present. It is this god who grants Midas’s wish; however, in “The Monkey’s Paw,” a magical paw grants the wish to the Whites. The paw, a strange or evil force, is present in the story of the Whites because it is part of the horror story genre.

Conclusion:

•First Sentence

•What did you prove? Goes back to your introduction

•In the end, both Midas and the Whites realize that attempting to change their fate resulted in a great loss.

•2-3 sentences: How did you prove your thesis/main point of your essay?

•Call to action: Use the sentence on the bottom of your graphic:

•Ultimately, both texts help us see/realize that people should be happy with what they have instead of longing for something else.

With this much provided, there is no reason why every student cannot finish the essay.

3rd period must finish by Monday (most of the class did finish)

4th period finished in class.

5th/6th: These classes have to finish the first two paragraphs. We had a grammar check today, so they had less time.