Comparison/Contrast
Paper
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?
Comparison Also Discusses 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 OrganizationIn the block style of organization, each subject is discussed one at a time and there are at least two paragraphs.
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 Organization
Point 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.