Comparison and Contrast

Comparison Contrast: My maternal grandparents vs my paternal grandparents

I. Introduction

A. Every person’s grandparents are unique. (I’m introducing the topic of grandparents, in
general.)

B. My grandparents were no exception. (I’m indicating that I’m going to be talking about my
grandparents specifically.)

C. Although my grandparents on both sides of the family came from the countryside, they
looked at life very differently. (=Thesis: my grandparents were both similar and different.)

II. On the one hand, their rural upbringing made them approach life similarly. (topic sentence)

A. First, they were generous, especially when it came to food.

1. It was impossible to eat only one serving because my grandparents kept insisting we eat.

2. On both sides of my family, we have stories of my grandparents feeding homeless
people even when they had little food themselves.

B. Second, they were very proud.

1. It was easy for them to help other people, but it was not easy for them to accept help.

2. They always emphasized that we had to keep a good name.

III. On the other hand, my grandparents also approached some parts of life differently because
they came from different kinds of rural communities. (topic sentence)

A. First, they approached their roles in the family differently.

1. For my dad’s family, the roles were clearly defined into “man’s work” and “woman’s
work.”

2. For my mom’s family, the roles had more overlap between what was expected of the
man and the woman.

B. Second, they approached gift-giving differently.

1. My dad’s parents were more concerned with quality and reputation.

2. My mom’s parents were more concerned with simplicity and resourcefulness.

IV. Conclusion

A. In conclusion, my grandparents shared some similar characteristics, but they also came
from different backgrounds.

B. They taught me so much about life.

Cause Effect: Grandparents as role models

I. Introduction

A. To navigate life, most of us need role models. (I’m introducing the topic of role models, in
general.)

B. For me, my grandparents were my best role models. (I’m indicating that I’m going to be
talking about my grandparents as role models, specifically.)

C. Because of my grandparents’ influence on my life, I became a better person. (=Thesis:
reasons why my grandparents were my role models / results of that.)

II. On the one hand, my grandparents were great examples of role models. (topic sentence)

A. First, they took care of family first.

1. They sacrificed for their families by taking on extra work so that they could provide
what was needed.

2. They took care of their parents when their parents became elderly.

B. Second, they focused on experiences and relationships rather than things.

1. Dinners were important, but having things was not.

2. A person was valued depending on how well he / she took care of family.

III. On the other hand, their values greatly influenced me. (topic sentence)

A. First, my family knows they can depend on me for everything.

1. They know I will do what I have to do in order to achieve the goal.

2. Even if I do not succeed 100%, they know that I gave it my best.

B. Second, no one would ever say that I am materialistic.

1. I do not really care about “having things.”

2. I feel “crowded” when there are too many “things” around.

IV. Conclusion

A. In conclusion, grandparents are great role models for shaping our lives.

B. The values that grandparents pass along are the values that make us who we are.