Essays: A Study in Contrasts

This famous essay, Grant and Lee: A Study in Contrasts, by Bruce Catton, is an outstanding display of nearly every lesson covered in the Writing Whatever program. From the introduction, through the body paragraphs, and to the conclusion, Catton delivers a powerful and enlightening discourse on the similarities and differences between these "two strong men."

Students are often taught that there are two choices in writing a compare/contrast essay, Block or Topic. Catton masterfully uses both: Block when discussing differences, and Topic when pointing out the similarities.

There is so much to learn here. This essay is a roadmap, or a template, or a model of how to deliver the organization, the details, and the flow that all the teachers advocate.

Let us know if you have a particular essay that could be analyzed in similar fashion. It's all for the kids.