Compare and contrast two villains of favorite TV shows and/or movies.
Compare and contrast two protagonists of favorite TV shows and/or movies.
Compare and contrast a video game and its corresponding movie/TV show.
Compare and contrast online shopping and shopping at a physical location.

Prewriting Tasks
Be sure to complete the following tasks in your prewriting:
State the subject you’ve chosen in a complete sentence.
Provide one or two sentences of background information; this will go in your introduction when you write your essay.
Create a thesis statement. Remember, your thesis statement must make an argument about your topic and name the key points of contrast in the order you will discuss them.
Use the “Point-by-Point” organizer shown in the example below to demonstrate how you will logically organize your essay. Include your subject, thesis statement, supporting elements, and conclusion.
Compare and Contrast Example
Topic: Pets
Title: The Best Pet for Introverts Who Live Alone
Background Statement: Even though introverts prefer their own company to those of other humans, they may find an animal companion can provide the companionship they are looking for.
Thesis Statement: Dogs make better pets than cats for solo-living introverts because they provide emotional support, exercise, and security.
Point 1: Emotional Support
Dogs run to greet their owners with tail wags and cuddles as soon as their humans come home.
Cats may brush against their human’s legs, if a greeting is given at all.
Dogs often will stay glued to their human’s side or not be far away.
Cats are known for being aloof, and might happily spend their time atop a bookcase or in another room entirely.
Point 2: Exercise
Dogs require regular walks to go outside, ensuring that an introvert must leave their house and see the world outside.
Cats use litterboxes, which take only a few minutes to clean and can leave a foul odor in the home.
Dogs require playtime with their human. The playtime often involves running or other physical activity.
Cats may not like to play, but if they do, it often involves sitting on the couch and using a laser pointer or waving a string with a toy attached.
Point 3: Security
Dogs bark to let their owners know of intruders or other dangers.
Cats may meow to let their human know their food or water dish is empty, but might largely ignore an intruder.
Dogs can provide warm comfort being at their human’s side when they’re uneasy or maybe watched a few too many scary movies.
Cats might well be off doing their own cat things.
Conclusion: When it comes to being a best friend, a dog is unmatched. They provide companionship and cuddles, as well as safety and physical activity.

In this lesson, you’ll examine several more patterns of development. You’ve probably been practicing writing and exploring various approaches to writing since at least junior high, so these techniques will no doubt look familiar. The purpose of this lesson is to help you build on what you know and to improve your writing in preparation for real-world communication requirements as well as college writing.
Exam objectives:
• Identify the steps in the writing process
• Use prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing to write formal, college-level essays
• Distinguish between different patterns of development
• Apply an appropriate pattern of development to a specific purpose and audience
• Write effective thesis statements
• Develop paragraphs using topic sentences, adequate detail, supporting evidence, and transitions
• Apply the conventions of standard, written American English to produce correct, well-written essays