Chapter published in:
The Art and Architecture of Academic Writing
Patricia Prinz and Birna Arnbjörnsdóttir
[Not in series 231] 2021
► pp. 111–136

Chapter 6
Compare/Contrast and Cause/Effect

Article outline
  • A.Compare and contrast
    • 1.Examining compare/contrast
    • 2.Compare/contrast thesis statements
    • 3.The architecture of a compare/contrast essay
      • a.Body paragraphs
        • Point-by-point: Comparison or contrast
        • Subject-by-subject: Comparison or contrast
      • b.Discourse connectors for compare/contrast
        • Practice: Reading to write—analyzing comparison
  • B.AWARE writing: Compare/contrast essay
    • 1.AWARE: Arranging to write
      • a.Practice: Reading to write—Using a T chart to outline the main ideas
      • a.A Venn diagram for generating ideas for a contrast essay on marriage
      • b.Practice: Developing a working thesis and a point-by-point outline
    • 2.AWARE: Writing
      • Practice: Using a T chart to draft body paragraphs
      • Practice: Analyzing a body paragraph for contrast
    • 3.AWARE: Assessing
      • a.Assessing strategy: Evaluating the evidence
      • b.Assessing strategy: Evaluating the thesis statement
      • c.From working thesis to thesis statement
    • 4.AWARE: Revising
      • a.Revising strategy: Sharpening the writer’s voice with precise vocabulary
        • Practice: Precise vocabulary
      • b.Revising checklist
    • 5.AWARE: Editing
      • a.Commonly confused words in English
      • b.Editing checklist
  • C.Expanding language: Comma splices
    • Practice: Comma splices
  • D.Cause and effect
    • 1.Examining cause and effect
    • 2.The architecture of cause and effect
      • a.Examining multiple effects: Thesis statements and body paragraphs
      • b.Discourse connectors for effect
        • Practice: Reading to write—body paragraph for multiple effects
        • Practice: Discourse connectors
      • c.Examining multiple causes: Thesis statements and body paragraphs
        • Thesis statement: The cumulative effects of light pollution disrupt the human sleep cycle.
        • Practice: Reading to write—body paragraphs for multiple cause
      • d.Causal language
        • Practice: causal language
  • E.AWARE writing: Cause and effect
    • 1.Arranging to write: Cause and effect
      • a.Developing a working thesis
      • b.Graphic organizers for cause and effect essay
        • Graphic outline for single cause with multiple effects
        • Graphic outline for single effect with multiple causes
    • 2.AWARE writing: Cause and effect
    • 3.AWARE: Assessing
    • 4.AWARE: Revising
      • Revising checklist
    • 5.AWARE: Editing
      • Editing Checklist