Write an essay comparing and contrasting two of the theories (from the theorists below) you encountered in this lesson:
Alfred Binet
Charles Spearman
Louis Thurstone
Howard Gardner
Robert Sternberg
David Wechsler
Louis Terman
As you create and develop your matrix, each point of comparison can serve as the basis for a paragraph. In this example, Paragraph 1 might focus on the similarities in the context out of which both Gardner’s and Sternberg’s theories emerged. So in Paragraph 1, you would identify and describe the point of comparison (i.e., the context out of which these theories emerged) and then explain the similarities between the two theories based on this point of comparison. As you organize your main points (the body of your essay), group your “similarities” paragraphs together, and group your “differences” paragraphs together. Once you’ve identified the points of comparison and completed the matrix (yours will look different than this one), you can begin writing your essay. Remember to include an introductory paragraph (which you may want to write after you’ve written your body paragraphs) that explains why it might be important to understand these differences/similarities (i.e., your thesis statement) and also a concluding paragraph.
