Once the novel study has been studied, students should be encouraged to rent and watch the 2004 Walden Media release of I Am David.  Copious class discussion is usually generated, and I take this as a perfect opportunity to look at writing a formal compare / contrast essay.

Great time and care are taken to go through the elements of a formal essay of this nature, and several in-class examples (from brainstorming to mapping to published product) are scrutinized before turning the students loose to write their own essays.

A sample assessment format is included below.

Please note: Classrooms in Canada are considered public spaces, so it is a violation of the Copyright Act to rent this movie to show to students in class.

Compare and Contrast Essay

1=Weak, 2=Moderately Weak, 3=Average, 4=Moderately Strong, 5=Strong

1.	The student attempts comparisons from appropriately parallel categories of items.
1	2	3	4	5
2.	The student chooses only a very few specific items to be compared.
1	2	3	4	5
3.	The student determines what characteristics the selected items have in common.
1	2	3	4	5
4.	The student decides on which of these common areas he or she wishes to concentrate.
1	2	3	4	5
5.	The student identifies similarities and differences in the selected common areas.
1	2	3	4	5
6.	The comparison employs the appropriate information or facts as evidence.
1	2	3	4	5
7.	The comparison shows an understanding of the appropriate concepts or topics.
1	2	3	4	5
8.	The conventions of a well-written essay have been achieved.
1	2	3	4	5
9.	The comparison is presented in a clear, concise, and appropriate manner.	
1	2	3	4	5
10.	Overall, the comparison demonstrates the student’s competence in applying this skill.
1	2	3	4	5

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