Compare and Contrast Paragraph English 11 Mrs. Fountain

What is Comparison and Contrast? When you want to decide between options, you compare and contrast. You compare to find similarities and contrast to find difference

Purposes of Comparing and Contrasting Your purpose could be to make judgments about two things. For example, you might compare and contrast two restaurants in order to convince your readers that one is preferable. Your purpose could be to describe or understand two familiar things. For example, you might compare two stories to help your readers understand their thematic similarities.

Comparison and Contrast Patterns Point by Point Give one general area per body paragraph and then discuss each topic within that paragraph. Example: Comparing two prospective jobs Salary- Salary of Job A, Salary of Job B Convenience-Geographical location of Job A, Geographical location of Job B Colleagues- People at Job A, People at Job B Responsibilities- Responsibilities of Job A, Responsibilities of Job

Comparison and Contrast Patterns Topic by Topic Present all points related to Topic A in one paragraph and then present all points related to Topic B in the next paragraph. Example: Job A: salary, convenience, responsibilities, colleagues Job B: salary, convenience, responsibilities, colleagues

Practice Read and analyze example paragraphs

Practice 1 Underline the topic sentence. What does the paragraph compare? What pattern of comparison does the author follow? What does the author focus on? Similarities? Differences?

Developing

Topic Sentence In a comparison and contrast paragraph, the topic sentence indicates what is being compared and contrasted and expresses a controlling idea. Example: Although all dogs make good house pets, large dogs are much more useful than small dogs. Topic being compared: large vs. small dogs Controlling idea: one is more useful than the other

Practice 2 Many media pundits complain about reality television; however, reality shows are just as regular scripted shows. A. What is being compared? B. What is the controlling idea? C. What will the paragraph focus on? S or D?

Practice 2 Before the baby comes, people expect a beautiful world of soft coos and sweet smells, but the reality is quite different. A. What is being compared? B. What is the controlling idea? C. What will the paragraph focus on? S or D?

Practice 2 Teenagers are as difficult to raise as toddlers. A. What is being compared? B. What is the controlling idea? C. What will the paragraph focus on? S or D?

Your turn! Directions: For each provided topic, decide whether you will focus on similarities or differences. Then write a topic sentence for each topic. Topic: high school and college Topic: goals in childhood and goals in adulthood Topic: two people who are close to me

The Supporting Ideas After you have developed an effective topic sentence, generate supporting ideas. In a comparison and contrast paragraph, think of examples that help clarify the similarities or differences.

Paragraph Plan Topic sentence: Although many people like the freedom and privacy of living alone, living with other people has its merits. Expenses With others, you can share expenses Details: phone, electricity, etc. are less for each person Alone, you must pay for everything yourself Details: can be very expensive

Paragraph Plan Cont. Companionship With others, there is someone to talk to Details: at end of day, you can discuss experiences Aone, you can sometimes be lonely Details: nobody to come home to Decisions With others, you must compromise Details: if there are conflicts, you must find resolution Alone, you can do what you want, when you want Details: no worry about making noise

The First Draft

The First Draft After you outline your ideas in a plan, you are ready to write the first draft. Remember to write complete sentences. You might include transitional words or expressions to help your ideas flow smoothly.

Transitional Words and Expressions To Show Similarities Additionally; in addition; at the same time; in the same way; equally; similarly To Show Differences Conversely; nevertheless; however; on the contrary; in contrast; then again

Assignment Complete Practice 3- Revise and Edit Exercise Complete Writing Activity 1 (handout)