Comparison- Contrast Essays

Comparison-contrast writing is one common writing structure used in academics.

Here are some helpful websites that focus on this type of essay.

GENERAL ESSAY-WRITING TIPS:

1) "Wiki-How" gives you 4 excellent, very specific steps to following when writing this type of essay (CLICK HERE)

2) "About Education" also provides tips and has numerous topic suggestions (CLICK HERE)


VIDEOS:

1) Do you want to hear another explanation of how to write this type of essay? CLICK HERE to watch a "Smart English" teacher, Shaun Macleod, explain them.

2) Here is another helpful video by "Dr. Bruce." You can watch his very clear lesson and listen to his explanation of different types of Comparison-Contrast essays and situations in which we would write them (His voice is very calming...but the information is very well presented and clear!) (CLICK HERE)


LANGUAGE/LINKING WORDS (VIDEOS)

1) A GREAT "engVid" explanation on using DESPITE and ALTHOUGH...and how they mean the same but are used differently. (CLICK HERE)

2) Also from engVId- an excellent lesson looking at making comparisons with LIKE and AS (and how they are used in different situations) (CLICK HERE)

3) One more engVid looking at how to use the subordinate conjunctions (contrast) EVEN IF, EVEN THOUGH, EVEN WHEN (and some other expressions with EVEN) (CLICK HERE)

4) Very simple video explaining the use of some contrast transition words (CLICK HERE)

5) Another very simple (and short) lesson reminding us of some great words for making comparisons/contrasts (and the teachers has a wonderful British accent!) (CLICK HERE)

6) One last engVid lesson that looks at some formal transition words for showing similarity (with good examples) (CLICK HERE)


LANGUAGE/LINKING WORDS (LISTS AND PRACTICE EXERCISES)

1) EspressoEnglish presents a nice list of contrast words, with examples of how to use them AND includes a practice activity to test your skills (there might be some pop-up ads, but just click the X if one appears) (CLICK HERE)

2) A very thorough (Excellent!) list of contrast/comparison words with examples and explanations. There is a practice activity you can open at the end. (CLICK HERE) (Source: Yeditepe University Writing Center)

3) Grammar-Quizzes.com also has a very thorough explanations of these various types of words (and has a sections that mentions common mistakes). At the bottom of the page, there are 3 wonderful practice exercises. (CLICK HERE)

Information about Vocabulary Quizzes

• Each week, we will focus on 2 chapters from our vocabulary book and study 20 words.
• This is a large number of words to remember; thus, vocabulary homework will be assigned in every class to ensure sufficient practice. I will always check this homework and expect it to be complete (not half done).
• The homework is very important in helping you to learn the words (and to improve your vocabulary and do well on the tests!)
• We will have a vocabulary quiz every Friday.
• The vocabulary goal for this class is that students will understand the vocabulary words AND also be able to use them correctly in speaking and writing.  Therefore, the quizzes are meant to assess this.
• Students are encouraged to practice using the words in sentences to study for the quiz. Every Wednesday, before the quiz, I will offer to check (and correct) 5 sentences for students who email these to me. This is a GREAT way to prepare for the quiz (AND I keep track of these emails and count them as extra credit for your homework grade!)
• Extra credit opportunities (bonus points applied directly to quiz grades) are occasionally offered here on the blog- so check it regularly!

Click here to learn more about vocabulary quizzes, get study tips and find out exactly how they will be graded!

FOR SAMPLE QUIZ, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS! (I CANNOT LINK THE PDF FILE HERE...)

WELCOME!

Welcome to our class blog!

As a help for students trying to stay organized, I will post some information here after each of our classes.  Below is a list of what you can expect:

1. A summary of what we covered in class (great information if you are ill and miss a class someday!)
2. Our homework assignment
3. Sometimes, I will also post some extra practice links for you relating to topics we cover in class.

For your first assignment, please send Andrea an email (See syllabus for her email addresses) with the following information (short answers)

1) Your name,
2) Where you are from and how long your have been in the USA,
3)What is most difficult for you in English/in school in general? What is easiest for you?

Thank you!

Clues to Parts of Speech

Clues to Parts of Speech

To use words accurately, we must know exactly how they should be used in a sentence.

One key factor in helping us figure this out is knowing which part of speech a particular word is AND knowing how these parts of speech are put together to form a sentence.

First, we can look at word endings. These will often tell us is a word is a noun, verb, or adjective:

Click here for a list of common suffixes for nouns verbs adjectives

Click here for a short practice game with basic suffixes

Click here for a great NOUN suffix list and game

 

More noun suffix practice

Here is a game to practice with VERB suffixes