Comparison and Contrast Essay

 Explain the similarities and the differences between two items. e.g. a) Compare the education system in the Malaysia and England. b) Compare and contrast distance learning with traditional classroom instruction.

Organisation of Comparison and Contrast Essay. The key to writing a successful comparison and contrast essay is to organise it carefully. There are two types of organisation 1. Point-by-point organisation 2. Block organisation

Point-by-Point Organisation If you want to compare two jobs. - make a list of factors that important (e.g. salary, benefits, opportunities for advancement, etc.)

Point of Comparison Job X Job YSimilar or Different? Salary (frequency of raise) $25/hour $24/hour annual evaluation different Benefits (vacation health insurance pension plan) good same Advancement opportunities not goodgooddifferent Workplace atmosphere friendlycompetitivedifferent Commuting distance 27minutes29minutessame

1.Introduction Thesis statement: One way to decide between two jobs offers is to compare them on important points 2.Body - Salary - Benefits - Opportunities for advancement - Workplace atmosphere - Commuting distance 3.Conclusion

Block Organisation Arrange all the similarities together in a block and the differences together in a block. Discuss either similarities first or the differences first. Insert transition sentence or paragraph between two blocks.

1. Introduction Thesis statement: One way to decide between two jobs offers is to compare them on important points 2. Body A. Similarities - benefits - commute distance B. Differences - salary - opportunities for advancement `- workplace atmosphere 3. Conclusion

Comparison and Contrast Signal Words The second key to writing successful comparison/contrast essays is the appropriate use of comparison and contrast signal words. Comparison Signal Words a) Transition Words and Phrases - similarly, likewise, also and too

b) Subordinators - as, just as c) Coordinators - and, both…and, not only…but also, neither…nor d) Others - like ( + noun ), just like ( + noun ), similar to ( + noun ), (be) like, (be) similar (to), (be) the same as, (be) the same, (be) alike, (be) similar, to compare (to/with).

Contrast Signal Words Fall into two main groups according to their meaning. a) The first group show a relationship that is called concession. b) The words in the second group show an opposition relationship.

Contrast Signal Words : Concession (Unexpected Result) a) Transition Words and Phrases - however, nevertheless, nonetheless, still b) Subordinators - although, even though, though c) Coordinators - but, say d) Others - despite ( + noun ), in spite of ( + noun )

Contrast Signal Words : Direct Opposition a) Transition Words and Phrases - however, in contrast, in (by) comparison, on the other hand, on the contrary b) Subordinators - while, whereas c) Coordinators - but d) Others - differ ( from ), compared ( to/with ), (be) different ( from ), (be) dissimilar to, (be) unlike