COMPARE AND CONTRAST
Using Venn Diagrams
On this page, you will be given various questions that require you to compare and contrast in order to answer. When you compare and contrast, you are required to think about two people or things and find their similarities and differences. For example, let's say you were comparing Prince and Myron's characters from Urban Lullabies. You would have to think about the following three categories"
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things that apply to Prince, but NOT to Myron
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things that apply to Myron, but NOT to Prince
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and things that apply to both Prince and Myron
Usually, when we are answering compare/contrast questions, we start with a venn diagram. A venn diagram is a graphic organizer that displays similarities and differences clearly. This way, we know what we are about to write before we write it. A venn diagram looks like this:
In this venn diagram, you'll see two sets of entries.
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The ones in red tell you what should be in each section of a generic venn diagram.
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The ones in green tell you what would be included if you were following the example at the top of the page (comparing Prince Hawkins and Myron Williams).
For those of you (like me) who are not big on drawing circles, this is an alternative graphic organizer that you can use...
So... are you ready to put your knowledge to the test? 
QUESTION:
Okay! Let's pretend that Mr. Hawkins was actually considering the possibility of taking Janice, his ex-wife, back. He's also considering the possibility of a relationship with Sarah, Taunia's mother. How does he choose? Well, let's start by using what we've just learned about creating a venn diagram to compare and contrast Ms. Crenshaw with Ms. Hawkins. You can use either of the two styles you prefer.
BEGIN by brainstorming all of the things that would influence Mr. Hawkins' decision, things about both ladies. NEXT, draw your blank venn diagram. THEN you need to think of positive and negative things that apply only to Ms. Crenshaw and put them on the left side of your diagram. AFTER that, think of things that apply only to Ms. Hawkins and put them on the right side of your diagram. FINALLY, write things that apply to both women in the middle of your diagram. Note: Just because you have something in your venn diagram doesn't mean you have to use it later, so write everything that comes to mind.
Finished your diagram? ...are you ready to move on to the next part?
Here is your writing prompt... If you are not familiar with writing prompts, click here before you go on.
Now, we're going to write a "Dear John" letter. Ever heard of that before? Well, a "Dear John" letter is a term used to describe the letter you write to someone to let him/her know you're breaking up with him/her. Pretend you are Mr. Hawkins. Which woman are you going to leave behind? Write her a letter. In your letter, let her know how you feel. Let her know the decision you had to make and how you made it. Let her down easy...
Before you continue, practice identifying pertinent information by filling out this chart:
(F) format
(A) audience
(T) topic
(P) purpose
After you identify each of these items, you may begin writing your letter. Good luck.
