Compare/Contrast Essays

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Compare/Contrast Essays

• Norm Johnson
• Spring 2009

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Purpose

• Compare showing the similarities
• Contrast showing the differences
• Note In common conversation, compare is
  sometimes used to also talk about the differences
  between two things.

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Practice Comparing Contrasting

• Compare Chinese Mexican Food
• Chinese food and Mexican food are similar in one
  important way, they both use rice as an
  ingredient.
• Contrast Soccer Basketball
• While soccer requires players to be skillful at
  controlling the ball with their feet, in
  basketball players must not kick the ball at all.

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Transition Expressions

• Showing similarities
• (Something) is as (adjective) as (something).
  (one sentence)
• Sentence A. Similarly, Sentence B.
• Showing differences
• Direct Contrast (while, whereas, however, but)
• Unexpected Result (although, though,
  nevertheless)
• Concession (nevertheless, despite, in spite of,
  although, though and even though)
• Look at the examples on the handout.

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Topic Sentence Patterns

• There are several differences/similarities
  between _A_ and _B_.
• There are several differences between high school
  and college.
• _A_ and _B_ are different/similar in many ways.
• American homes and Japanese homes are different
  in several ways.
• A comparison between _A_ and _B_ reveals some
  surprising similarities/differences.

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Practice Writing a Paragraph

1. We read about how nutrition information is
   communicated in several different countries.
2. Write a paragraph describing how two countries
   communication strategies are similar or different.

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Two Methods of Organizing

1. Block Method
2. Point by Point Method

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The Block Method

1. Describe the similarities in one paragraph.
2. Describe the differences in a different
   paragraph.

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Example of the Block Method

• Japanese homes and American homes are similar
  in the following ways. Each typically has a
  kitchen, dining area, living room and bedrooms.
  Many electronic gadgets such as computers, TVs
  and stereos can be found in both.

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Example 2 of the Block Method

• They also differ in important ways. Japanese
  homes have a special entryway designed for taking
  off your shoes before entering the house. The
  type of flooring and methods of heating rooms
  also generally are different. Finally, the
  bathrooms are quite different between American
  and Japanese homes.

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The Point by Point Method

1. Identify several key points or dimensions about
   which to consider the two subjects.
2. Describe the similarities and differences about
   each point together in separate paragraphs.

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Example The Point by Point Method

• Japanese homes and American homes both
  typically have an entryway, but in Japanese homes
  the entryway is more prominent. It is usually the
  same level as outside the front door, and then
  you step up into the house after you have taken
  off your shoes.
• Both Japanese and American homes have a
  bathroom. They both usually have bath tubs. But
  the shape and function of the bath tub in Japan
  is different from America.

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Writing a Compare/Contrast Essay

1. Topic Compare/Contrast the similarities and
   differences in eating here and there.
2. Make a list of 5 similarities and 5 differences.
3. Compare your list with others from your culture
   (if possible).
4. Will you use the Block or Point by Point method?
   Choose one or the other.

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Essay Basics Review

1. An essay should have 3 parts
2. Introduction, Body Conclusion
3. The introduction should include 3 things
4. A hook to catch the readers interest
5. Background information
6. Thesis Statement
7. The body should do what?
8. Support the thesis with facts, examples reasons
9. What are some techniques to use in the
   conclusion?
10. Restate the thesis, Ask a Question, Make a
    Prediction