compare and contrast

Step 1: Read Both Documents Carefully

• Read each letter at least twice.

• As you read, think about:

  • Who is writing the letter?

  • Who is the audience?

  • What is the purpose of each letter?

  • What problems or issues are being discussed?

Step 2: Identify Similarities

In your response, explain at least two ways the letters are alike.
For example, you might compare:

• The concerns about African-American workers

• The goals of the writer

• The tone or message

• The historical issues being addressed

Step 3: Identify Differences

Next, explain at least two ways the letters are different.
You might look at:

• Differences in audience

• Differences in focus or purpose

• Differences in how African Americans are described

• Differences in the solutions or actions being suggested

Step 4: Use Evidence from the Text

• Support your answers with specific details or quotes from both letters.

• Explain how your evidence proves your comparison or contrast.

Step 5: 8-sentence paragraph

Write a paragraph stating two similarities and two differences between the two documents. Also, state which document you feel is more important and why it was written.