Comparison/Contrast

Karen S. Wright

Making comparisons examines two or more items:

•Items alike

•Items different

•Or items that are both

Some Issues are Trivial

Whether to order. . .

hot, juicy pizza

or

a sub sandwich

Should I buy a. . .

Ford

or

Chevy?

Comparisons Also Discuss Unfamiliar Things

A sportswriter might compare:

The English sport of rugby

American football

A history teacher might compare:

France’s court system

United States court system

Comparisons Influence Important Decisions

What will be your major?

chemistryengineering

law medicine

Comparisons Must Share Common Ground

Two golfers:

Driving ability

Putting ability

Sand play

Preferred clubs

Organizing a ComparisonThere are two basic patterns to

organize a comparison/contrast paper:

Block Pattern

Alternating Pattern

Block Organization

In the block style of organization, each subject is discussed one at a time.

Each section needs to be short.

Readers can only remember short pieces of information.

Block Style

For an essay that compares and contrasts writing in college and writing at work:

Subject A: Writing in College

Point 1: Audience Instructor

Point 2: Purpose To fulfill an assignment.

Point 3: Outcomes: Feedback, evaluation,

grade

Block Organization

Subject B: Writing at Work

Point 1: Audience:

Boss or customer

Point 2: Purpose :

To convey information

Point 3: Outcomes:

Follow-up action

Point-By Point OrganizationPoint 1: Audience

College: Instructor

Work: Boss

Point 2: Purpose

College: To fulfill an

assignment

Work: To convey information

Point 3: Outcomes

College: Feedback, grade

Work: Follow-up action

Vocabulary of Comparing/Contrasting

Although on the contrary

both on the other hand

however similarly

in contrast though

like where (whereas)

while

Can be as simple as comparing a

to a

Puppy

Kitten

COMPARING

CONTRASTINGDifferent Kinds of Cows

Most important: be organized and it will. . .

put a smile on your face.