Compare/Contrast Essays

Choices for OrganizationTransition Words

Checklist

Two Definitions First

• To COMPARE means to show how two things are SIMILAR.• To CONTRAST means to show

how two things are DIFFERENT.

Whole-to-Whole

• Also called “Block Strategy.” • In this structure, you say everything about one item

then everything about the other. • For instance, if you’re comparing a book and a movie,

say everything about the characters, setting, and plot for the book then everything about the characters, setting, and plot for the movie.

• The points in each of the sections should be the same.• The points in each of the sections should be explained

in the same order.

Whole-to-Whole Structure • Whole-to-Whole comparison and

contrast uses a separate paragraph for each item you're discussing.

• For a paper comparing and contrasting a book to a movie, the paragraph for Item #1 would include everything about the book and the paragraph for Item #2 would cover everything about the movie.

• The points in each of the paragraphs should be the same and they should be explained in the same order (for instance, you might discuss character, setting, and plot for both, and in that order for both).

Introduction ParagraphItem #1Item #2Conclusion Paragraph

Introduction Paragraph

Item #1

Item #2

Conclusion Paragraph

Similarities-to-Differences

• In this structure, you explain all the similarities about the items being compared and then you explain all the differences.

• For instance, you might explain that the characters and plot were similar in both the book and movie in the one section.

• In the next section, you could explain that the settings were different. The book took place during the summer while the movie took place during the winter.

Similarities-to-Differences Structure

Introduction ParagraphSimilarities

Differences

Conclusion Paragraph

• Similarities-to-Differences uses separate paragraphs for similarities and differences.

• In other words, the body of your paper would have two large paragraphs: one for similarities, and another for differences.

Point-by-Point

• In this structure, you explain one point of comparison before moving to the next point.

• For instance, you would write about the characters in the book and movie in one paragraph, then you would write about the setting in the book and movie in the next section.

Point-by-Point Structure• Point-by-Point comparison and

contrast uses a separate paragraph for each point.

• Point #1 for your paper could be information about the characters in the book and the movie.

• Point #2 will be in a separate paragraph.

• For consistency, begin with the same item in each paragraph of your point-by-point paper. For instance, for each point that you discuss, explain the information about the book first and then about the movie.

Introduction ParagraphPoint #1

Point #2

Conclusion Paragraph

Transition Words

• In compare and contrast essays, transition words tell a reader that the writer is changing from talking about one item to the other.

• Transitional words and phrases help make a paper smoother and more coherent by showing the reader the connections between the ideas that are being presented.

Transition Words

To CompareAlsoAs

As well asBoth

In the same mannerIn the same way

LikeLikewise

Most importantSame

SimilarSimilarly

The same asToo

• When you're comparing items, using a transition from this list will signal to readers that you're changing from one item to the next and it will also tell the reader that the two items are similar.

• Here are some examples: The characters in the movie were very similar to the characters in the book.

• Both the characters in the movie and in the book were interested in detective work.

Transition Words• On the other hand, using one of

the transitions from this list of words will signal readers that the two items you're discussing are different.

• Here are some examples: The setting in the book was summer while the setting in the movie was winter.

• The events in the book took place during several afternoons, but the events in the movie took place during the evening.

To ContrastAlthough

ButDiffer

Even thoughHowever

In contrastInstead

NeverthelessOn the contrary

On the other handUnlessUnlikeWhile

Yet

Checklist

1. Purpose and Supporting Details:a. The paper compares and contrasts

items clearly.b. The paper points to specific examples

to illustrate the comparison. c. The paper includes only the information

relevant to the comparison.

Checklist

2. Organization & Structurea. The paper breaks the information into the whole-to-whole, similarities-to-

differences, or point-by-point structure.

b. The paper follows a consistent order when discussing the comparison.

c. The paper breaks the information into paragraphs.

Checklist

3. Transitions & Coherencea. The paper moves smoothly from

one idea to the next.b. The paper uses comparison and

contrast transition words to show relationships between ideas.

c. The paper uses a variety of sentence structures and transitions.