General Statement

Background information about the topic

(Why do you want the reader to read your essay?)

Thesis Statement

Identify the subject that you will compare and/ or contrast

State whether you will focus on similarities or differences.

The thesis may also indicate which points you will compare or contrast

Open your writing books to page 84.

Read the introduction of “Self Arranged Travel and Travelling With a Tour Company ”

Check the paragraph for the following items:General Statement

Background information about the topic

Thesis Statement

Everybody deserves a holiday after a tiring working year, but people prefer to spend their holidays in different ways. Some choose to stay at home and finish some long-postponed chores while resting and sleeping for long hours. Others visit their families, relatives and friends and spend some time together. However, the most common way to spend one’s holiday nowadays is travelling, which can be self arranged or with a tour company. Despite a few similarities, self arranged travel and travelling with a tour company display significant differences when it comes to the means of transport, expenses and the options they offer.

General Statement Background information about the topic

Thesis Statement Points of comparison and contrast

Topic Sentence #1 (First point of comparison and/or contrast)

The first point is that...

First of all...

First element

Indeed, both.... Not only...but also...

Second element

However,... In contrast, ...

Now read the 1st body paragraph of “Self Arranged Travel and Travelling With a Tour Company ”

Check the paragraph for the following items:

First element (Similarity/Difference)

Second element (Similarity/Difference

Topic Sentence

In addition, try to identify transition words in the paragraph

First of all, in both ways of travelling, people usually rely on the most common means of mass transport, such as buses, planes and boats. Indeed, if one is planning to visit a foreign country or another long-distance location, he/she has to get on a plane, boat or a bus whether he/she arranges his travel himself or travels with a tour company. However, when one arranges his/her own travel, one can also take the train. Most tour companies do not offer train rides to their clients, but individual travellers, especially students, prefer this way of travelling, mostly because it is usually considerably cheaper. For example, many university students who visit European countries buy Inter-rail tickets, which allow them to take whichever train they want for a month and travel the entire continent. Another difference is that when one arranges his/her own trip, he/she always has the option to hitchhike. Indeed, especially young travellers can cover very long distances by hitchhiking while meeting new and interesting fellow travellers on the road.

Topic Sentence First point of comparison

Difference Transition words

Similarity

Difference

Restatement of Main Ideas

Final Comment

Interpretation of the main pointssolution

predictionadvicesuggestion

Now read the conclusion of “Self Arranged Travel and Travelling With a Tour Company”

Check the conclusion for the following items:Restatement of Main Ideas

Final Comment

Interpretation of the main points

solutionprediction

advice

suggestion

As can be seen, although there are a few similarities between self arranged travel and travelling with a tour company, these two ways of travelling differ greatly in terms of transportation, price, and options. While the former seems more difficult as it requires making preparations and can be more expensive, the latter provides better accommodation and transportation options for a lower price. However, when it comes to freedom, individual travellers have the upper hand.That is why people should think very carefully before choosing which way to travel. Indeed, their choice can either make their holiday an unforgettable one or make them regret their choice.

Restatement of Main IdeasComment

Suggestion and final commentTransition Signal

Write a comparison/contrast essay:

Compare and contrast married life and being single.

Before you start writing take a look at these headings and try to use them in your essay

Now write your essay

• You can use the information given on page 99 in your writing book.