COPYRIGHT © 2005 South-Western, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Humphrey ▪ Conklin CONNECTIONS Writing for Your World CHAPTER 18 Writing to Compare and Contrast

CONNECTIONS: Writing for Your World by Humphrey & Conklin Chapter 18 Slide 2 Learning Objectives  Structure documents based on comparison, contrast, or both.  Write a strong thesis statement for a comparison or contrast essay.  Use analogy, a special type of comparison.

CONNECTIONS: Writing for Your World by Humphrey & Conklin Chapter 18 Slide 3 Elements of a Comparison-Contrast Document - 1 Thesis statement  Present your main idea.  Avoid being overly vague.

CONNECTIONS: Writing for Your World by Humphrey & Conklin Chapter 18 Slide 4 Elements of a Comparison-Contrast Document – 1 (cont.) Thesis statement examples:  Vague: The two computers are basically similar but have different features.  Better: The two computers use the same microprocessor and operating system, but they differ in memory, storage capacity, expandability, and other key features.

CONNECTIONS: Writing for Your World by Humphrey & Conklin Chapter 18 Slide 5 Elements of a Comparison-Contrast Document - 2 Body paragraphs can use:  Point-by-point format  One-side-at-a-time format  Category-by-category format (variation of point-by-point)

CONNECTIONS: Writing for Your World by Humphrey & Conklin Chapter 18 Slide 6 Choosing the Right Format One-Side-at-a-Time  Easy for the writer to organize  Requires the reader to remember a lot  Gives a fuller view of each subject Point-by-Point or Category-by-Category  Harder for the writer to organize  Puts less strain on the reader’s memory  Gives a clearer view of similarities or differences

CONNECTIONS: Writing for Your World by Humphrey & Conklin Chapter 18 Slide 7 Structure for the Point-by-Point Format 1.Opening paragraph with thesis statement 2.Body paragraphs In each body paragraph, the topic sentence states one point of comparison or contrast. The next sentences explain that point, often with details or examples. 3.Concluding paragraph

CONNECTIONS: Writing for Your World by Humphrey & Conklin Chapter 18 Slide 8 Subordination Subordination shows that one idea is less important than another idea in the same sentence. Subordinate idea Main idea Because the storm had flooded the park, we canceled our picnic.

CONNECTIONS: Writing for Your World by Humphrey & Conklin Chapter 18 Slide 9 Common Subordinating Terms  althougheven though  whilewhereas  becausesince  whenif  afterbefore  until unless

CONNECTIONS: Writing for Your World by Humphrey & Conklin Chapter 18 Slide 10 Combining Comparison and Contrast  In your outline, separate your document into a comparison section and a contrast section.  Decide which should come first, the comparison or the contrast.  Choose an appropriate format for each section—one-side-at-a-time, point-by-point, or category-by-category. Different sections may use different formats.

CONNECTIONS: Writing for Your World by Humphrey & Conklin Chapter 18 Slide 11 Category-by-Category Format  Divide your comparisons or contrasts into categories.  Discuss one category at a time.

CONNECTIONS: Writing for Your World by Humphrey & Conklin Chapter 18 Slide 12 Analogy  A special type of comparison that uses subjects from two different categories  Meant to be understood figuratively, not literally

CONNECTIONS: Writing for Your World by Humphrey & Conklin Chapter 18 Slide 13 Uses of Analogy  Explain the unfamiliar by comparison with something familiar. Example: The microchip is the brain of the computer.  Increase the vividness of your writing. Example: That afternoon, the snowflakes were like tiny white feathers in the sky.

CONNECTIONS: Writing for Your World by Humphrey & Conklin Chapter 18 Slide 14 False Analogy An analogy is false if it:  Leaves out important differences between the two subjects being compared.  Tries to “prove” an untrue statement.

CONNECTIONS: Writing for Your World by Humphrey & Conklin Chapter 18 Slide 15 Online Writing Guides  Many web sites offer writing advice. Some have interesting writing samples. Some include practice exercises.  Look especially for sites connected with college writing programs.

CONNECTIONS: Writing for Your World by Humphrey & Conklin Chapter 18 Slide 16 Compare and Contrast Writing Process  Prewriting Choose your subjects and identify similarities and differences. Brainstorm your points of comparison and select the best options. Identify your format (point-by-point or one-side-at-a-time) and create an outline.  Writing Write a draft. Include a thesis that presents the main idea and a conclusion that restates your main idea in a new way.  Revising and Editing Read your draft and revise it for clarity. Save each draft as you revise; proofread thoroughly.

CONNECTIONS: Writing for Your World by Humphrey & Conklin Chapter 18 Slide 17 Revising Comparisons and Contrasts  Does your opening paragraph clearly identify the two subjects you will be comparing and/or contrasting?  Does your opening paragraph include a thesis statement that expresses the main idea of your essay?  Does the body of your essay have a clear and logical structure?  Do you support your comparisons and contrasts with sufficient detail?  Have you used analogies to make your writing vivid and to help explain unfamiliar ideas?  Is your conclusion strong? Does it restate your main idea in fresh, memorable language?

CONNECTIONS: Writing for Your World by Humphrey & Conklin Chapter 18 Slide 18 Summary Points  Typical structures include point-by-point, one-side-at-a-time, and (for mixed comparison-contrast) category by category.  The thesis statement gives the main idea behind the comparison or contrast.  Analogy, a special kind of comparison, involves explaining something by comparing it to something in a different category.