COMPARISON/CONTRAST Finding similarities and differences

COMPARISON Shows how things are alike

CONTRAST Shows how things are different

Note Your textbook refers to this pattern of essay development as “Comparison” instead of “Comparison/Contrast.” Don’t let this difference in terminology affect your ability to understand that for Essay #5 you are being asked to show similarities or differences, not just similarities.

Let’s Get Started...

What are the differences in these two pictures?

What are the similarities in these two pictures?

The Pumpkins Are the two pumpkins “alike” enough that you can look at their similarities and their differences? In other words, are they basically in the same “category” so that they can be evaluated equally?

What are the differences in these two pictures?

What are the similarities in these two pictures?

The Typist and the Check Mark Are these two pictures “alike” enough that you can look at their similarities and their differences? Are they in the same “category” so that they can be equally evaluated?

The Typist and the Check Mark If you had trouble with this exercise, that is okay. –Most people do. –The two SUBJECTS are not in the same category. – Therefore, you probably would not be able to present a good evaluation!

Think about the pictures... You had two pictures to view. –These two pictures were your SUBJECTS. You developed different ways in which they were alike or different –These “ways” are the POINTS of discussion.

This is okay for looking at pictures, but what about making decisions in real life?

Why do we need to compare and contrast effectively ? To help us make choices What kind of soap should I buy? What college should I attend? What radio station do I want to listen to this morning? Whom should I vote for? What movie should I see this weekend?

Why do we need to compare and contrast effectively ? To impose meaning on experiences that otherwise might remain fragmented and disconnected Examples: Is television’s coverage of terrorism more or less objective than it was before September 11, 2001? What are the advantages of the various positions on abortion?

When is it appropriate to use the comparison- contrast pattern of development? Often, an assignment’s wording signals that comparison-contrast is called for: Football, basketball, and baseball differ in the ways they appeal to fans. Contrast the unique drawing power of each sport and arrive at some conclusions about the nature of each sport’s following.

When is it appropriate to use the comparison- contrast pattern of development? Other assignments will, in less obvious ways, lend themselves to comparison- contrast. For instance, although the words compare and contrast don’t appear in the following assignment, essay responses to the assignments could be organized around the comparison-contrast format.

Example #1 The emergence of the two-career family is one of the major phenomena of our culture. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of having both parents work, showing how you feel about such two-career households.

Example #2 There has been considerable criticism recently of the news coverage by the Brewton Standard and the Atmore Advance. Indicate whether you think the criticism is valid by discussing the similarities and differences in the two papers’ news coverage. Note: This essay will cover similarities AND differences, not just one or the other.

Your Topic See the Topic Sheet for a list of topics. You are to choose one of the ten listed. You are to compare OR contrast – NOT BOTH – in this essay. As you continue through this presentation, have the topics in hand so that you can think about various writing strategies!

Strategies for Using Comparison-Contrast in an Essay

Strategy #1 Remember that there is a significant reason for comparing or contrasting the items in your paper. This “reason” will help focus your thesis statement.

Strategy #2 Be sure your subjects are somewhat alike. –You won’t have a problem with this on your essay because your topics are already set. –You will need to be aware of this when working with a free choice topic approach.

“Comparison/Contrast isn’t an end in itself.” This is where the “judgment” concept applies. Your “reason” might be to show that one Subject #1 is better than Subject #2.

Strategy #3 Stay focused on your purpose Comparison/contrast isn’t an end in itself Your objective is not to have a mechanical list of how “A differs from B” Use comparison/contrast as a strategy for making a point or meeting a larger purpose NOTE: THIS GOES BACK TO THE “REASON” FOR YOUR PAPER.

Strategy #4 Select the points to be discussed.

Brainstorming... Take a few minutes to brainstorm on your topic. List everything you can think of! Then, try to “lump together” similar ideas so that you can identify three main points.

Brainstorm to develop your points... Item 1How alike? (What do they share in common?) Item 2

Brainstorm to develop your points... Item 1 How different? (What characteristics are not common?) Item 2

What approaches can you take? Evaluation Interpretation Analysis Synthesis

Evaluation Simplest approach Two or more ideas are compared or contrasted to determine the value of the two Focuses on which option is better Examples: –Two types of students –Two types of employees

Interpretation One item is used to explain another by comparing or contrasting. One item is the KNOWN. The other item is the UNKNOWN that the writer wants to interpret, or explain. Examples: –Football to rugby –Checkers to chess

Analysis Two or more items are broken down into their parts to understand each in relation to the other. Tends to be very detailed. Focus is UNDERSTANDING each item being compared or contrasted and on UNDERSTANDING THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO EACH OTHER. Examples: –Men and women –High school and college

Synthesis The two items are compared or contrasted and then related to something larger than the items. Most sophisticated kind of comparison/contrast. Expands the discussion beyond the topics considered to broader social, cultural, philosophic, or other systems. Examples: –Two characters in a recent movie (physical appearance, psychological makeup, actions, their representations of members of society)

Strategy #5 Formulate a strong thesis!!! Name the subjects being compared and contrasted Indicate whether the essay focuses on the subjects’ similarities, differences, or both State the essay’s main points of comparison or contrast

Why is the thesis so important? You can manipulate and control how the readers will respond to your ideas. You must anticipate and acknowledge (if necessary) any significant or opposing views and tactfully dispense of these views. You are letting your reader know that you have limited your topic to specific ideas – no more, no less.

Sample Thesis Statement The Waltons and Seventh Heaven can be contrasted according to family situations, language, and content. –Subjects: The Waltons and Seventh Heaven –Points: family situations, language, and content

Sample Thesis Statement Jefferson Davis Community College and University of South Alabama can be compared according to accessibility, course offerings, and faculty/student interaction –Subjects: Jefferson Davis Community College and University of South Alabama –Points: accessibility, course offerings, and faculty/staff interaction

Strategy #6 Organize the points to be discussed. Subject-by-subject method Point-by-point method

Subject-By-Subject Method Your textbook refers to this as the “Block” method. See p. 158 in your text. Note how one subject is discussed completely before you move on to the next subject. See the Subject-By-Subject Sample Outline document. Note that I have inserted comments that will help you when writing the essay.

Reading Assignment Read the sample essay: “Two Sports.” –Can you determine the method of organization? –Is this method used consistently?

Reading Assignment Read the sample essay: “Athletes and Couch Potatoes.” Can you determine the method of organization? Is this method consistently?

Point-by-Point Method Your textbook refers to this as the “Alternating” method. See p. 158 in your text. Notice how each point is discussed completely for both subjects. Once Point I is discussed, you move on to Point II, etc. See the Point-by-Point Sample Outline document. Note that I have inserted comments that will help you when writing the essay.

Need More Help with Organization? See the Point-by-Point Outline Worksheet document. See the Subject-by-Subject Outline Worksheet document.

Strategy #7 Supply the reader with clear transitions.

Transitions: Similarities Also In the same way Likewise Similarly Like As In addition Just as Both... And As well as Both Neither,nor

Transitions: Differences By way of contrast In contrast On the other hand However But Although Whereas Conversely Yet Unlike Nevertheless Even though While Review the Transitions document.

Strategy #8 Analyze your audience. Think about what your readers know and what they expect to learn.

Analyze your audience. If they know a lot about your subjects, –Spend less time on pointing out similarities –Spend more time on your reasons for making the comparisons

Analyze your audience. If they know very little about your subjects, You must describe each subject Use FAMILIAR examples to explain the subjects Note: You can’t point out contrasts between two subjects if the members of your audience don’t know much about the subjects!

Strategy #9 Avoid the “so what” syndrome...

Avoiding the “so what” syndrome... Don’t make a mechanical list of the similarities and differences. Look at your subjects as part of a bigger “picture.” Attempt to demonstrate that one subject is better than the other. Attempt to reveal a particular relationship between the two subjects.

Reminders... Balance the various sections of your contrast or comparison Include reminders, such as transitional phrases and sentences, to help your readers connect the points of your contrast or comparison Supply reasons to support your purpose and to explain WHY you are making the contrast or comparison.

Summary To compare means to show similarities between two subjects; to contrast is to show differences between two subjects. Comparison and contrast writing, like any other type of writing, should have a clear purpose. Be sure your subjects are somewhat alike. Stay focused on your purpose. Formulate a strong thesis. Select the points to be discussed. Organize the points to be discussed, using either the point-by- point method OR the subject-by-subject method. Each side of a comparison or contrast essay should be supported with SPECIFIC details and examples. Supply the reader with clear transitions.

Reading Assignment Read the Sample Essay with Comments document. Note the organizational pattern. Note the use of transitional sentences AND transitional expressions. Note the use of examples.

REVISION STRATEGIES

Revision Strategy#1 Does the essay have a thesis? Could it be stated more clearly, effectively?

Revision Strategy #2 Does the essay utilize the point-by-point method? The subject-by-subject method? Is this approach effective?

Revision Strategy #3 Regardless of the method used to organize the essay, are the same features discussed for each subject? Are they discussed in the same order?

Revision Strategy #4 What point of comparison or contrast might be unfamiliar to readers? Are any significant points missing?

Revision Strategy #5 Where would transitions signaling similarities/differences make following the line of thought within and between paragraphs easier? Where do too many transitions make sentences awkward and mechanical?

Best Wishes as you work on this essay! Contact me if you need assistance.