Example Writing Prompt:

Write an essay comparing and contrasting two characters from the J.K Rowling novel, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

​ Whether you’re sorted into Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, or Slytherin, your background and behavior tells a lot about who you are. Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone are in opposite houses, and at times they seem like opposite characters. Even though Harry and Draco appear different in every way, readers can see how alike these two rivals really are.

​Are you Slytherin, Gryffindor or Hufflepuff? Every house is different and tells something about who you are as a person. Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone are in opposite houses because they are opposite characters. The Gryffindor house is loyal while Slytherin seems to be evil. These houses are different but they have some similarities.

​Sample 1 Introduction

​Sample 2 Introduction

Your Thesis Statement (Central Idea) must focus on the topic presented in the writing prompt.

This writing prompt asks the writer to compare and contrast two characters. Sample 2 does not meet the prompt because it is comparing and contrasting two houses not two characters.

​Remember:

Another time in the novel that demonstrates a difference between the characters is when Draco and Harry first meet Ron Weasley. Harry quickly makes friends with Ron while Draco insults Ron. During this meeting Draco tells Harry, “you will soon learn that all wizarding families are not the same. You don’t want to go making friends with just anybody.” Draco is talking about Ron in this quote, he is quick to put down other students because he thinks he is better than them, but Harry does not agree with Draco’s behavior and even refuses to shake his hand after this comment.

Evidence/Elaboration Sample 1

Evidence & Elaboration Examples

Evidence/Elaboration Sample 2

Another time in the novel that demonstrates a difference between the characters is when Draco and Harry first meet Ron Weasley. During this meeting Draco tells Harry, “you will soon learn that all wizarding families are not the same. You don’t want to go making friends with just anybody.” Draco is talking about Ron in this quote, it proves that he thinks Harry should not be friends with just anybody. It also shows that Draco feels like Harry will learn that all wizarding families are not the same. This shows a difference between the characters.

Your elaboration is a time to explain to the reader how the text evidence quote supports your topic.

The sample 1 elaboration simply repeats the quote, while sample 2 explains how the the quote demonstrates a difference between Harry and Draco.

​Remember:

     In conclusion Harry and Draco are not completely different they are similar in the ways discussed in this essay. Another way they are different is because of the things they do to win and they are the same because they both want to win. Their houses may be opposites, but their characters certainly aren’t.

​Conclusion Sample 1

Sample Conclusions

​Conclusion Sample 2

     Even though Harry and Draco are enemies throughout the book, they are not completely different. Their similarities help them grow, and their differences impact the choices they make throughout the novel, like how they treat others. Their houses may be opposites, but their characters certainly aren’t.