Stephen Mahler

Virtues Comparison

(Nelson Mandela & Rosa Parks)

Virtue is a habitual and firm disposition to do good.

Prudence disposes the practical reason to discern, in every circumstance, our true good and to choose the right means for achieving it.

Justice consists in the firm and constant will to give God and neighbor their due.

Fortitude ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of the good.

Temperance moderates the attraction of the pleasures of the senses and provides balance in the use of created goods.

By faith, we believe in God and believe all that he has revealed to us and that Holy Church proposes for our belief.

By hope we desire, and with steadfast trust await from God, eternal life and the graces to merit it.

By charity, we love God above all things and our neighbor as ourselves for love of God. Charity, the form of all the virtues, "binds everything together in perfect harmony" (Col 3:14).

**Record the page number and phrase that you think illustrates the corresponding virtue. Choose 3 virtues to compare. The virtues must be the same for both Nelson Mandela and Rosa Parks since you will be comparing the two people in an essay.

Virtue / Nelson Mandela / Rosa Parks
Prudence / pageand phrase / page and phrase
Justice / page and phrase / page and phrase
Fortitude
Temperance
Faith / page and phrase / page and phrase
Hope
Charity (love)

Virtues Comparison Essay Requirements

(Nelson Mandela and Rosa Parks)

First Paragraph

  • This paragraph describes your idea/definition of a hero. You should include ideas from the “Characteristics of a Hero” chart on p. 845 and your“Virtues Comparison Table.”

Second and Third Paragraphs

  • These paragraphs will be about Nelson Mandela and Rosa Parks. One paragraph is about Nelson Mandela. The other is about Rosa Parks. It’s up to you to choose the order in which they appear in your essay. You must include ways each person lived out the virtues and/or characteristics of a hero in your paragraphs. Be sure to include the page number, evidence, and explanation. The evidence can be cited in a short phrase. It does not have to be the whole quote. Only the part that supports your writing. If you shorten a sentence, the quotation should follow the following format: On page 123, Mandela said, “I never lost hope…” The …tells the reader that there is more information in the quote, and he/she can read the page for more information, if he/she desires.

Fourth Paragraph

  • Explain how Nelson Mandela and Rosa Parks are similar, and explain how they are different. You should focus your comparison on the information you just wrote about in paragraphs 2 and 3. It is important, however, to say the same information in a different way. You cannot copy the information from paragraphs 2 and 3 and paste it in this paragraph. You do not need the quotes from the text because you’ve already shared this information with the reader in the previous paragraphs. This is a way you establish your voice and writing style.

Fifth Paragraph

  • Explain which hero you admire most and why you admire him or her. Use details from your first four paragraphs or textbook. You cannot copy the information from the first four paragraphs and paste it in this paragraph. You do not need the quotes from the text because you’ve already shared this information with the reader in the previous paragraphs. This is a way you establish your voice and writing style.