12th Grade Compare And Contrast Essay Lesson Plan Example

Topic: Compare and Contrast Essay

Objectives & Outcomes

• Students will be able to research their top two career choices and write a 5 paragraph compare and contrast essay using correct MLA formatting.

Materials

• Information packets on the top two career choices selected by each student
• MLA format template
• Writing materials (pen/pencil, paper, etc.)

Warm-up

• Ask students to think about the different aspects of a job or career that they find important, such as salary, benefits, location, nature of work, satisfaction, etc.
• Have students share their top three priorities with the class and write them on the board.
• Explain that in this project, students will research their top two career choices and write a 5 paragraph compare and contrast essay using correct MLA formatting.Topic
• Introduce the topic of the compare and contrast essay, which is to compare and contrast the two selected careers.
• Explain that the first paragraph will be dedicated to the first career choice and will include the following elements:
• Introduce the career and its basic description, including its name, location, and main responsibilities.
• Provide statistics and facts about the career, including salary, growth potential, and any other important information.
• The second paragraph will be dedicated to the second career choice and will include the following elements:
• Introduce the career and its basic description, including its name, location, and main responsibilities.
• Provide statistics and facts about the career, including salary, growth potential, and any other important information.
• The third paragraph will be dedicated to a comparison of the two careers, and will include the following elements:
• List the similarities between the two careers.
• Explain how the two careers are similar, using examples and evidence.
• The fourth paragraph will be dedicated to a contrast of the two careers, and will include the following elements:
• List the differences between the two careers.
• Explain how the two careers are different, using examples and evidence.
• The fifth paragraph will be dedicated to a conclusion, and will include the following elements:
• Summarize the main points of the compare and contrast essay.
• Restate the main similarities and differences between the two careers.
• Use the conclusion to provide any final thoughts or recommendations about the two careers.

Guided Practice:

• Give students a handout with the two career choices listed on it.
• Have students work in pairs to research and write a one page summary of each career choice, including the main responsibilities, typical education required, and average salary.
• Have students present their summaries to the class and ask for feedback and questions.Independent Practice:
• Have students use the handouts with the two career choices listed on them to begin drafting their compare and contrast essays.
• Have students work in pairs to read through each other's drafts and provide feedback and suggestions.{{anchorSample Essay:
• Give students a sample essay to reference when drafting their own compare and contrast essays.{{anchorAssessment:
• Have students hand in a draft of their compare and contrast essay for feedback and suggestions.
• Have a small group or individual interview with each student to review their draft and provide additional feedback and suggestions.
• Have students re-draft their essays and submit a final version for grading.

«Class Debriefing»:

• Have students share their compare and contrast essays with the class and discuss their findings.
• Ask students if they have any additional questions or concerns about the two career choices.

Closure:

• Review the key points of the lesson and encourage students to continue researching their top two career choices.
• Ask students to share what they have learned about their chosen careers and what they like and don't like about them.

Assessment:

• Collect and grade the compare and contrast essays for proper MLA formatting and accurate information about the two chosen careers.
• Provide feedback on the essays and encourage students to share their thoughts on their chosen careers.