THE SOCIAL STUDIES WRITING PROCESS SERIES - Comparing and Contrasting - By Sheila C. Crowell and Ellen D. Kolba

Sep 29, 2026

Social Studies Writing Process Series: a practical instructional booklet that teaches students how to write “Comparison and Contrast” essays. The material explains what comparing and contrasting mean, why some topics are too similar or too different to analyze, and how to use consistent thinking and organization. It covers the writing process—prewriting, writing, and revising—while guiding lesson work, checklist use, and structured organization methods for producing improved essays.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages28

Reading Time1 h 11 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Section One: Lessons

Section Two: Resource Selections

Resource Selections

THE SOCIAL STUDIESWRITING PROCESS SERIES 1. COMPARINGAND CONTRASTING BY SHEILA C.CROWELLELLEN D.KOLBAEDUCATIONAL DESIGN,INC. EDI 2791 | THIS BOOK IS THE PROPER
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Used | CONDITION | | | | ISSUED | RETURNED | | | | | PUPILS to whom this textbook is issued must not write on any pageor mark any part of it in any way,consumable textbooks excepted. 1.Teachers should see that the pupil's name is clearly written in ink in the spaces above in everybook issued. 2.The following terms should be used in recording the condition of the book:New;Good;Fair;Poor;Bad. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The text of this booklet has been adapted from Writing in the ContentAreas,by Sheila C.Crowell and Ellen D.Kolba,◎1988 by EducationalDesign,Inc. # Resource Selections: THE VIRGINIA COLONY by Hilarie Staton,excerpt from a work in progressto be published by Educational Design,Inc.Copyright pending. The authors would like to thank the teachers and students in the followingschool districts who provided samples of student writing and gave usinvaluable feedback on the ideas and activities in this book: The Chicago,IL,Public SchoolsThe Montclair,NJ,Public SchoolsThe Paterson,NJ,Public SchoolsBeaumont,TX,Independent School DistrictCorpus Christi,TX,iSDDeer Park,TX,ISDDickinson,TX,ISDIrving,TX,ISDNorth Forest,TX,ISD ◎1998 Educational Design,Inc.Allrights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in partstored in a retrieval system,or transmitted in any form or by any means,electronic,mechanical,photocopying,recording or otherwise,without written permission from the publisher.For information about permission,write to:Educational Design,Inc.,345 Hudson Street,New York,NY 10014 # Table of Contents Introduction………………… …………………………………………………………4 ## Section One:Lessons 1. Identifying Similarities and Differences……………………………………………………………………………………………………5 2.Comparing and Contrasting Two Event…………………………………………………………………………………………………12 Greg's Essay Your Essay ## Section Two:Resource Selections 1.The Virginia Colony………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………19 2.The Massachusetts Colonies………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………21 Comparison and Contrast Chart……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………23 | Imtrodmnctiom | | --- | This booklet will show you how to write a particular type of essay that is often assigned in socialstudies—the"Comparison and Contrast"essay.A Comparison and Contrast essay is one inwhich you are asked to describe how two things are similar and how they are different.Thethings you compare and contrast may be events,people,periods of time,or any other two thingsthat are similar but not exactly alike. No matter what your topic is,you will find that the kinds of thinking and organizing that you dowhenever you write a Comparison and Contrast essay do not differ very much.You can use thesame plan of thinking and organization to compare and contrast two historical figures that youwould use to compare and contrast two events.This booklet will show you a method for thinkingand organizing that will work for any Comparison and Contrast essay. This booklet has several purposes: ● To help you think more clearly and organize your thoughts more effectively. ● To give you practice in writing a Comparison and Contrast essay. ● To help you write better essays and compositions by using the steps of the writing pro-cess—prewriting,writing,and revising. In case you are not familiar with the stages of the Writing Process,here is what they are: ● Prewriting is the stage in which you gather information,generate ideas,and decide onan organization for your essay. ●Writing is the stage in which you write your first draft of the essay. ● Revising

FAQs

What is a “Comparison and Contrast” essay?

A Comparison and Contrast essay describes how two things are similar and how they are different. The two items can be events, people, periods of time, or other comparable subjects.

What writing stages does the booklet emphasize?

It emphasizes the writing process stages: prewriting (gather information, generate ideas, choose organization), writing (create a first draft), and revising (improve and produce a final draft).

How does the booklet help you choose what to compare and contrast?

It explains that comparisons work best when subjects are similar but not exactly alike; if they are too much alike or too different, the analysis may not provide meaningful learning.

Sep 29, 2026

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