Compare and Contrast Essays Mrs FoleyMac Gowan English

Compare and Contrast Essays Mrs. Foley-Mac. Gowan English 2012

What Compare/Contrast Essays Do • To compare two or more things is to point out what is similar • To contrast is to stress their differences • Ex: Both John Calvin and Martin Luther were persecuted by the Catholic church, opposed conservative theology, and were personally against materialistic self-indulgence. However, Luther wanted a return to the simplicity of the apostles, while Calvin supported the advancement of capitalism.

Student Example • A brief consideration of Egyptian mythology contrasted with the mythology of the Greeks is enough to convince us of the revolution in thought that must have taken place from one age to the other. The Egyptian gods had no resemblance to anything in the real world, whereas the Greek gods were fashioned after real Greek people. • Whales and human beings are like two nations of individuals who have certain characteristics in common. As mammals they both are warm-blooded, giving milk, and breathing air. As social creatures they both have basic urges for privacy as well as fraternization.

How to Use Compare/Contrast 1. Use logical bases of contrast. • Once you have your topic, decide which areas you will be contrasting. • Perhaps use a T-chart. • Ex. Good Teachers vs. Bad Teachers 2. Use either the alternating or block method of contrast. • In the alternating method, each paragraph examines both sides of the issue. • In the block method, use separate paragraphs to frame one issue at a time.

Example: Alternating Outline • Topic: Camry vs. Jetta • 1 st: Cost • Camry • Jetta • 2 nd: Performance • Camry • Jetta • 3 rd: Looks • Camry • Jetta

Example: Block Outline • Topic: Camry vs. Jetta • 1 st: Camry • Cost • Performance • Looks • 2 nd: Jetta • Cost • Performance • Looks

How to Use Compare/Contrast 3. Make Sure that the items to be compared/contrasted belong to the same class. • Wrong: Our telephone system is better than Russia. • Right: Our telephone system is better than that of Russia. • Our telephone system is better than Russia’s. 4. Deal with both sides of the question. • In Death Valley the heat is so intense that even lizards wilt, whereas at Donner Pass a cool breeze freshens even the hottest day.

Important Words • The following expressions indicate comparison: • Also • As well as • Bears resemblance to both • And in common with • In like manner • Likewise • Neither…. nor • Similar • Too

Important Words • The following expressions indicate contrast: • Although this may be true • At the same time • But • For all that • However • In contrast to • In opposition to • Nevertheless • On the contrary • On the one hand…. . on the other hand • Otherwise • Still • Unlike • Whereas • Yet