This document provides guidance on how to structure a comparative essay analyzing two literary texts. It recommends using an introduction with a contention and four arguments, followed by four body paragraphs, each analyzing evidence from one of the texts in relation to one of the arguments. The conclusion should summarize the arguments and contention. Guidance is provided on the components to include in each paragraph, such as topic sentences, evidence explanation, and linking back to the overarching prompt. Students are prompted to write out example paragraphs following the structure.

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Name: ___________________________________________
HOW TO START
YOUR ESSAY.
KEY
Use this colour for your introduction and conclusion paragraphs
Use this colour for your for your body paragraphs
This colour is for tips & practicing
Comparative linking words and phrases:
Linking ideas that are
SIMILAR
Linking ideas that are
DIFFERENT
Linking ideas in a
SEQUENCE
Similarly… In contrast… In addition…
In the same way… On the other hand… Additionally…
Just as… Whereas… Another reason/example/point…
Likewise… However… Further / Furthermore…
Similar to… Although… Moreover…
Accordingly… Yet… Lastly…
So too… Conversely… Finally…

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The Block Method

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Introduction
• UNDERSTAND YOUR PROMPT!
Do you agree or disagree with the prompt?
Re-write the prompt in the form of a contention. Eg.:
• NOW LETS WORK ON OUR ARGUMENTS. How can you argue (back up) your contention?
• The better the arguments, the easier the rest of the essay will be to write.
• This becomes your TOPIC SENTENCE #1 later on in your BODY PARAGRAPHS.

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• This becomes your TOPIC SENTENCE #2 later on in your BODY PARAGRAPHS.
• This becomes your TOPIC SENTENCE #3 later on in your BODY PARAGRAPHS.
• This becomes your TOPIC SENTENCE #4 later on in your BODY PARAGRAPHS.
Introduction – (your turn)
Using your CONTENTION, ARGUMENT 1, ARGUMENT 2, ARGUMENT 3 and ARGUMENT 4, write an
INTRODUCTORY paragraph.

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Body Paragraph #1
Text 1: ‘12 Angry Men’ by Reginald Rose
• How does Text 1 (‘12 Angry Men’ by Reginald Rose) relate to the prompt
• Explain how your topic sentence (above) relates to the prompt with specific evidence from the text.
• This could be simply a scene from the novel or a quote that comes from a character.
• Explain (one more time) how your topic sentence (above) relates to the prompt with specific evidence from the
text ‘12 Angry Men’.
• Again, this could be simply a scene from the novel or a quote that comes from a character.
• Link back to the initial prompt with a final statement.
• Use this sentence starter if you want to.

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Body Paragraph #1 (your turn)
Using the 4 pieces of information above: re-write your 1st
BODY PARAGRAPH
i. Topic Sentence
ii. Evidence and Explanation
iii. Evidence and Explanation
iv. Link back to the prompt

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Body Paragraph #2
Text 2: ‘The Crucible’ by Nicholas Hytner
• How does Text 2 (‘The Crucible’ by Nicholas Hytner) relate to the prompt
• Explain how your topic sentence (above) relates to the prompt with specific evidence from the text ‘The Crucible’.
• This could be simply a scene from the movie or a quote that comes from a character.
• Explain (one more time) how your topic sentence (above) relates to the prompt with specific evidence from the
text ‘The Crucible’.
• Again, this could be simply a scene from the movie or a quote that comes from a character.
• Link back to the initial prompt with a final statement.
• Use this sentence starter if you want to.

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Body Paragraph #2 (your turn)
Using the 4 pieces of information above: re-write your 2nd
BODY PARAGRAPH
i. Topic Sentence
ii. Evidence and Explanation
iii. Evidence and Explanation
iv. Link back to the prompt

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Body Paragraph #3
Texts 1 & 2: ‘12 Angry Men’ by Reginald Rose &
‘The Crucible’ by Nicholas Hytner
• How are Text 1 (12 Angry Men) and Text 2 (The Crucible) similar or different in relation to the prompt.
• Explain how your topic sentence (above) relates to the prompt with specific evidence from the text ‘12 Angry
Men’.
• This could be simply a scene from the novel or a quote that comes from a character.
• Explain (one more time) how your topic sentence (above) relates to the prompt with specific evidence from the
text ‘The Crucible’.
• Again, this could be simply a scene from the novel or a quote that comes from a character.
• Link back to the initial prompt with a final statement.
• Use this sentence starter if you want to.

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Body Paragraph #3 (your turn)
Using the 4 pieces of information above: re-write your 3rd t
BODY PARAGRAPH
i. Topic Sentence
ii. Evidence and Explanation
iii. Evidence and Explanation
iv. Link back to the prompt

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Body Paragraph #4
Texts 1 & 2: ‘12 Angry Men’ by Reginald Rose &
‘The Crucible’ by Nicholas Hytner
• How are Text 1 (12 Angry Men) and Text 2 (The Crucible) similar or different in relation to the prompt.
• Explain how your topic sentence (above) relates to the prompt with specific evidence from the text ‘12 Angry
Men’.
• This could be simply a scene from the novel or a quote that comes from a character.
• Explain (one more time) how your topic sentence (above) relates to the prompt with specific evidence from the
text ‘The Crucible’.
• Again, this could be simply a scene from the novel or a quote that comes from a character.
• Link back to the initial prompt with a final statement.
• Use this sentence starter if you want to.

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Body Paragraph #4 (your turn)
Using the 4 pieces of information above: re-write your 4th t
BODY PARAGRAPH
v. Topic Sentence
vi. Evidence and Explanation
vii. Evidence and Explanation
viii. Link back to the prompt

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Conclusion
Summarise each argument/idea that you have discussed.
It should be similar to your Introductory arguments, but reworded.
State how these prove your response to the prompt

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Conclusion – (your turn)
Using your previous argument summaries, write an CONCLUSION paragraph.

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First Draft
CONGRATULATIONS,!!
you are now ready for your first draft.
Re-write all the paragraphs here with edits and corrections.

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