WRITING CENTER "INFORMATION PICK-UP" (S.S.C.C.)
COMPARISON/CONTRAST:
• WHAT IS A COMPARISON/CONTRAST ESSAY? WHAT IS THE BLOCK METHOD OF ORGANIZING A COMPARISON/CONTRAST
ESSAY? THE POINT-BY-POINT METHOD?
• WHAT ARE SOME COMMON USES IN SOCIETY?
• HOW MAY A STUDENT PRE-WRITE A COMPARISON/CONTRAST ESSAY?
• WHAT IS A COMPARISON/CONTRAST ESSAY? WHAT IS THE BLOCK METHOD OF ORGANIZING A COMPARISON/CONTRAST ESSAY? THE POINT-BY-POINT METHOD?
When we use comparison, we emphasize the similarities between two (or more) subjects.
When we use contrast, we emphasize the differences between two (or more) subjects.
A comparison-and-contrast essay may combine both comparison AND contrast or focus on one or the other.
Comparison and contrast are two related methods of explaining subjects.
The problem with writing a good comparison or contrast paragraph usually centers on the fact that you now have a two-part topic. This demands very careful attention to the topic sentence. You must be careful to choose two subjects that have enough in common to make them comparable. You must also not choose two things having so much in common that you cannot possibly handle all the comparable points in one paragraph or even ten paragraphs.
Once you have chosen a two-part topic that you feel is not too limiting and not too broad, you need to remember that a good comparison or contrast paragraph should devote an equal or nearly-equal amount of space to each of the two parts. If the author devotes too much to one and neglects the other, the paragraph will be one-sided and appear biased and unfair.
It is assumed that in a comparison, the author will choose one item as better over the other, or make some sort of judgment.
How can material be organized in a
comparison or contrast?
POINT-BY-POINT METHOD: This method is structured according to the comparison of a point of one topic with a point of the other topic.
BLOCK METHOD: This method allows the author to present all his/her information about the first topic before going on to give all the fact sand supporting details about the second topic. The first subject is dealt with in a "block," then the second one is described.
Some common transitions (words which show the connections or relationships between ideas) for the comparison or contrast method include:
TRANSITIONS FOR COMPARISON: similar to, similarly, like, likewise, just like, just as, furthermore, moreover, equally, again, also, too, so,
TRANSITIONS FOR CONTRAST: on the contrary, on the other hand, in contrast with, in spite of, despite, instead of, different from, whereas, while, although, though, unlike, even though, nevertheless, however, but, otherwise, except for, and yet, still
A note on "like" and
"as":
Like is a preposition and is used in the prepositional phrase "like me."
My sister Carolyn is just like me.
As is a subordinate conjunction and is used in the clause below with a subject and a verb.
My sister April enjoys cooking and canning, as do her friends.
• WHAT ARE SOME COMMON USES IN SOCIETY?
Comparison and contrast essays most commonly appear in articles for magazines like Consumer Reports which compares and contrasts the relative strengths and weaknesses of various products--based on certain criteria such as cost, quality, performance, and other factors.
Comparison and contrasts are done often also in politics in which politicians, policies, tactics in political campaigns, track records, campaigning styles, funding, and other factors are commonly examined.
• HOW MAY A STUDENT PRE-WRITE A COMPARISON/CONTRAST ESSAY?
POINTS TO
COMPARE OR A B
CONTRAST
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
(Revised 1998)