Comparison and Contrast Writing What is comparison contrast

Comparison and Contrast Writing

What is comparison & contrast? • Comparison shows how two or more things are similar • Contrast shows how two or more things are different

• The two things to be compared must have enough in common to justify the comparison. • In making comparisons, you should move beyond the obvious • When two things are very similar, it is the contrasts that may be worth writing about. Establishing a basis for comparison

Searching points for discussion • Determine your emphasis on similarities, differences, or both. • Determine the major focus of your paper. • Make sure you treat the same or similar elements for each subject you will discuss:

• Do not discuss entirely different elements for each subject. Novel A Novel B Major Plot Characters Minor Author’s Characters Life Themes symbolism

• Identify not only the subjects to be compared and contrasted in your essay, but the point you will make about them. • Also indicate whether you will focus on similarities or differences, or balance the two. • “Both cats and dogs make excellent pets, but an appropriate choice depends on the pet owner’s lifestyle, finances, and household accommodations. ” Formulating a Thesis Statement

• Good for longer, more complex papers • Make a point about one subject, and then follow it with a comparable point about the other subject. • Alternating pattern • Be careful not to fall into a monotonous, back and forth movement between points. To avoid this problem, vary sentence structure as you move from point to point. Point by Point Comparison

• See transitions especially useful for comparison and contrasts as listed in Chapter 8 of Models for Writers. • Longer essays may have transitional paragraphs that connect one part of the essay to another. Using Transitions

Student Example: Comparison and Contrast Essay