Compare and Contrast

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Compare and Contrast

• AP English 11

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• A comparison shows the similarities between two
  or more things, while a contrast shows the
  differences between two or more things.
• A comparison-contrast paper shows the
  similarities and differences between two or more
  things.

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• Basis for Comparison or Contrast the shared
  aspect of the two or more things being compared
  or contrasted

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• For instance, if you were to compare/contrast 2
  men, you need to determine which shared aspect of
  the 2 men that you want to compare/contrast.

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• Their physical attributes?
• Their athletic prowess?
• Their intelligence?

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• Once you have chosen what aspect you are going to
  compare/contrast, then you need to decide upon
  the specific points of the comparison/contrast.

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• The points of the comparison/contrast are the
  specific aspects or features that you will
  examine once you have chosen your basis for
  comparison/contrast.

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• If you chose physical attributes as your basis
  for comparison/contrast, then some of the points
  of the comparison/contrast could include

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• eye color
• hair color
• height
• weight
• body type

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An Important Point to Remember

• Compare/contrast according to one principle at a
  time. For example, if you are focusing on
  physical attributes, then

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• dont mention intelligence in the same section!

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Why Use Compare/Contrast?

• 1. One purpose is to clarify or explain a topic.
  For example, to explain wedding customs in a
  certain country, the writer may compare/contrast
  them with American wedding customs in order to
  make the topic clearer for the reader.

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• 2. A second purpose is to show the superiority of
  one thing over another. For example, you could
  compare/contrast two types of cars in order to
  show how one is better than the other.

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Organizing a Compare/Contrast Paper

• Follow an established pattern of organization. A
  comparison-contrast paper can be organized in one
  of three ways subject by subject, point by
  point, or a combination of the two.

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• Subject-by-Subject Pattern- this pattern involves
  explaining the first subject completely
  (according to a single principle) in one
  paragraph/section and then moving on to the other
  subject(s) that you are comparing or contrasting
  to the first in the next paragraph/section.

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• Point-by-Point Pattern this pattern involves
  focusing on a single principle and then comparing
  or contrasting both subjects in the same
  paragraph based on that principle.

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• You could combine the organization patterns in
  your paper (look back at Grant and Lee). You
  can have subject by subject in one part and

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• then shift to point by point. It is up to you!
  Just make sure it is logically organized!