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com Comparison Contrast Essay

A. Read the sample Comparison/Contrast Essay below and answer the questions.
It seems that every generation has its own counter-culture movement, each drastically different from, and often completely opposed to, the last. In Western culture, the two youth movements that made the most significant and lasting impressions are arguably the hippies of the 1960s and the punks of the 1970s. Though on the surface they may seem completely different, the music and fashion of these two youth movements had some undeniable similarities. Although perhaps difficult to notice initially, the music of the hippies and punks had some similarities. The nature of the music itself was fundamentally different; typical music of the late 60s is characterized by acoustic instruments and vocal harmony. In contrast, punk rock of the 70s was known for its aggression and volume. However, much of the music of both the hippies and the punks can be seen as political and even anti-establishment. The 60s popularized the protest song, speaking out against authority and the policies of those in power, Neil Youngs Ohio being an example of this. Similarly, the lyrics of punk rock songs often involved antigovernment sentiments, an example of that being Anarchy in the UK by Englands Sex Pistols. One movement sang of love and peace while the other sang of destruction and chaos; however, both contain political messages. One may be surprised by the suggestion that the fashion of these movements had similarities. After all, hippies adorned themselves in tye-dyed, rainbow coloured skirts; in contrast, the punks wore black leather and torn jean jackets. While hippies conveyed the image of nature and rural living, the punks seemed to symbolize an industrialized, urban world. Even so, both groups used these now iconic and even caricatured styles for a specific purpose: to distinguish themselves from those in authority and to protest social conventions. Both the hippies and the punks used their clothing, be it wooden love beads or studded wristbands, as a

uniform and a source of identity. While their choice of clothing was entirely different, both groups used fashion to symbolize their freedom from conformity. It is easy to suggest that the hippie movement of the 1960s and the punk rock movement of the 1970s had little or nothing in common. At a glance, they seem to be fundamentally different in everything from appearance, music, and political ideology. However, if one examines the underlying motivation and messages behind the music and clothing, it is apparent that these two movements did share some similarities. 1. 2. 3. 4. Is the first sentence of this essay an effective hook? Why or why not? Find the thesis statement and rewrite it in your own words. Is this a similarities/differences essay or a point-by-point essay? In your own words, what are the differences and/or similarities between the music of both movements as mentioned by the author?0 5. In your own words, explain what their fashion had in common?

B. Use the following outline to prepare for and write a comparison/contrast essay on the following topic:
Compare and/or contrast two important and influential people from your country. Comparison/Contrast Essay Outline Introduction Hook: Background: Thesis: Body 1 point: details: Body 2 point: details: Conclusion Restate thesis:

Summarize points: POSSIBLE ANSWERS: 1. Answers will vary 2. The two movements seem different, but their music and fashion have some things in common. 3. Point-by-point 4. The hippies music was soft and peaceful while punk rock was angry and loud; however, both styles of music contained lyrics that protested government and authority. 5. Both groups used fashion to set themselves apart from the majority in an effort to be free and challenge traditional ways of thinking.