Comparison/Contrast Paragraphs

What is a Comparison/Contrast Paragraph? Comparison and Contrast paragraphs write about how things are either similar or different. When you compare two things, places, people, or ideas you show the reader how they are similar. When you contrast, you show how they are different. Always choose two equal items — two cars, two vacations, two sports stars, etc. You must identify topics (e.g. high school and university) and their points of comparison or contrast (e.g., location, study requirements, clothes) that can be compared or contrasted. A A B B

Sharks The great white shark lives in the deep, cold seas. It will attack large animals such as sea lions. In contrast, the bull shark lives mostly in shallow waters. Also, it is sometimes found in rivers. These sharks are both very good swimmers and hunters. Both kinds of sharks have lots of teeth. Take 15 seconds to read this paragraph on Sharks

Shallow water similar Bull shark Great white shark Deep, cold seas Very good swimmers Shallow water Deep, cold seas Lots of teeth Here is the information represented in a Venn Diagram… Now we’re going to look at information on a website…

Key words commonly used to express comparison include: like same too similar In the same way as Both … and have in common the same as similarly alike as well as Now let’s look at contrasting language….

Contrasting Key Phrases although yet whereas however but while differ instead unless unlike on the contrary contrary to in contrast even though on the other hand the reverse dissimilar to

Both Gaza and Sydney have rain in winter. SIMILARITIES similar to Spring weather in Gaza is similar to spring weather in Sydney. Both Both Gaza and Sydney have rain in winter. Also Sydney also has a rainy winter season. Too Gaza has a rainy spring season, too. Similarly Similarly, Sydney is very hot in summer.

However, winter is much colder in Sydney. DIFFERENCES On the other hand On the other hand, winter is much colder in Sydney. However However, winter is much colder in Sydney. But Gaza has a mild winter, but Sydney has a cold one. In contrast to In contrast to Gaza, Sydney has a cold winter. Differs from Sydney differs from Gaza by having a cold winter. While While Gaza has a mild winter, Sydney has a cold winter.

Likewise, ...the same... ...the same as... ...also... ..., too. Short Conjunctions Longer Expressions  Similarly, Likewise, ...the same... ...the same as... ...also... ..., too. Both … and However, Nevertheless, Conversely, In contrast, In the same way, … X is similar to Y in that (they)... X is different from Y in that (they)... X and Y are similar/different in that (they)... Like X, Y [verb]... Unlike X, Y [verb] … In like manner, One way in which X is similar to Y is (that)... One way in which X is different from Y is (that)...

Activity 1: Join the following Sentences 1. Hani is bachelor. His sister is bachelor 2. The Jordan River is long. The Nile River is long. 3. Amal's grades are high. Huda's grades are rather low. 4. Ahmed is very busy. Ali is busy. 5. I think Ahmed is a diligent student. Everyone thinks Ahmed is a diligent student. 6. John admits he had a lot of money. He claims he has lost everything. 7. My father usually goes to work by car. I go to work by car. 8. I believe that physical exercise is good. I believe that nutritious food is good. 9. Teaching beginners requires simple techniques. Teaching advanced students requires sophisticated techniques.

Activity 2: Complete the following sentences: (although) Texting is a popular new way to communicate______________________________ (similarly) Taking care of children requires a lot of patience__________________________________ (in contrast) Universities spend a lot of money on research ____________________________________ (however) My two friends study similar things at university ____________________________________ (whereas) my grandparents do not know how to turn a computer on __________________________ (both) Eating well will keep you in good health _______________________________________________

Complete the following paragraph There are various differences between means of transport in the past and today. In the past, people used animals, such as camels and donkeys to move from one place to another. Furthermore, in the past means of transport were not safe. They were slow and dangerous. Additionally, they were quite uncomfortable because the journey used to take weeks or even months. Nowadays. ______________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________. To sum up, means of transport have become very important in our life.

Complete the following paragraph There are various differences between means of transport in the past and today. In the past, people used animals, such as camels and donkeys to move from one place to another. Furthermore, in the past means of transport were not safe. They were slow and dangerous. Additionally, they were quite uncomfortable because the journey used to take weeks or even months. Nowadays, people use cars, trains and planes to move from one place to another. These transport means have become fast and quite comfortable, as it now takes less than a day to get anywhere you want. To sum up, means of transport have become very important in our life.

in the same way – alike – another similarity – similarly – similarity – too – both - similar   While we come from different cultures, my wife and I are______ in several ways. First, we are______ thirty-two years old. In fact, our birthdays are in the same month of July._____ is that we both grew up in large cities. Helen was born and raised in Paris and I come from London. Third, our hobbies are alike ______. My wife gives a lot of her free time to playing jazz piano._______, I like to spend time after work playing the guitar. A more important________ concerns our values. For example, Helen has strong opinions about educating our children and raising them to be good citizens. I feel________. Our children should receive good education and moral training.

However – another difference – similarly – also – on the other hand – but – while- different Even though Arizona and Rhode Island are both states of the U.S., they are ______ in many ways. For example, the physical size of each state is different. Arizona is large, having an area of 114,000 square miles, ______ Rhode Island is only about a tenth the size, having an area of only 1,214 square miles. ______ is in the size of the population of each state. Arizona has about four million people living in it, ____ Rhode Island has less than one million. The two states _____ differ in the kinds of natural environments that each has. For example, Arizona is a very dry state, consisting of large desert areas that do not receive much rainfall every year. ______, Rhode Island is located in a temperate zone and receives an average of 44 inches of rain per year. In addition,  ______ Arizona is a landlocked state and thus has no seashore, Rhode Island lies on the Atlantic Ocean and does have a significant coastline.

Using However or Whereas However and Whereas can be used to join two different or opposite ideas: My friend prefers watching television. However, I find reading books more interesting. My friend prefers watching television, whereas I find reading books more interesting. Whereas my friend prefers watching television, I find reading books more interesting. NOTE: Use whereas at the beginning of a sentence or in the middle. Use however at the beginning of a sentence.

Connect the following sentences using However or Whereas Skiing is a popular sport. Many young people prefer snowboarding. My literature class has over 200 students in it. My linguistics class has just twelve. Dogs are more faithful. Cats are more independent. DVDs are more common these days. I have a huge video tape collection. Whereas I like all types of fish, ________________. The winter season is quite mild in Gaza __________. My little brother likes to play __________________. Whereas you have lots of time to do your homework___ __________________________________________.