Comparison/Contrast Discovering Similiarities and Differences

Comparison/Contrast Natural part of selection process Help us to understand one subject by putting it next to another Discover likenesses/similiarities Finding differences/contrasting elements

Part of Same Process We have no reason to compare if we are not going to identify contrasting ideas – Why do we care if they are similar? – Why do we care if they are different? Two items must have something in common – Apples / Oranges – Dogs / Cats – Chevy Truck/ Dodge Truck THESIS must have a point!

Example Recently I saw a bumper sticker that read, “It used to be wine, women, and song, and now it’s beer, the old lady, and T.V.” Much truth may be found in this comparison of single and married lifestyles. When my husband and I used to date, for example, we’d go out for dinner and drinks and then maybe see a play or concert. Our discussions were intelligent, often ranging over global politics, science, literature, and other lofty topics. He would open doors for me, buy me flowers, and make sure I was comfortable and happy. Now, three years later, after marriage and a child, the baby bottle has replaced the wine bottle, the smell of diapers wipes out the scent of roses, and our nights on the twon are infrequent, cherished events. But that’s all right. A little bit of the excitement and mystery may be gone, but those intangible qualities have given way to a sturdy, dependable trust in each other and a quiet confidence about our future together. From – The Prose Reader, Essays for Thinking, Reading, and Writing, 8 th Edition

In this Example… The author compares married life to single life – Date night Conversation intellectual/infrequent Smell of roses / diapers Wine bottle / baby bottle

How We Compare… Simile – comparing two things using like or as – Her eyes were like oceans of blue Metaphor – comparing two things without using like or as – I could get lost in the waves of her crystal blue eyes

Getting Started Make a list of everything you already know about both items/topics Put ideas into two columns: similiarities and differences Draw lines to connect similar ideas Find ‘holes’ in list and start to research to fill-in the gaps

example ApplesOrangesfruitgrow on trees eat peeldon’t eat peel redorange crunchy texturesquishy textureclimateregion

C / C - FORMATS Point by Point MPG, Car A MPG, Car B Horsepower, Car A Horsepower, Car B Handling, Car A Handling, Car B Equipment, Car A Equipment, Car B Subject by Subject Car A, MPG, Horsepower, Handling, Equipment Car B, MPG, Horsepower, Handling, Equipment Similarities/Differences Similarities: MPG Cars A & B Differences: Horsepower, Handling, Equipment, Cars A & B Each ‘idea’ should be explained in a full, complete paragraph – at least 7 sentences!

C / C - FORMATS Combination Equipment – Car A & B MPG, Horsepower, Handling – Car A MPG, Horsepower, Handling, Car B Most difficult type to write because it adds confusion. This format does not always work for students.

Don’t forget…  Add specific examples and details – use imagery!  Add narration / personal experience / dialogue  Provide quotes from research  Use academic language - avoid conversational language – no slang or ‘you know’ phrases  Always use PRESENT tense verbs!

C/C Assignment! Compare and Contrast 3 colleges – 1 Texas Public school – 1 out-of-state-public- school – 1 Private School Include ideas including, but NOT LIMITED TO… – Academics – Athletics – Student Support Services – Housing – Financial Assistance – Admission Requirements Create a chart for all 3 schools – Creative – Neat – Detailed – Complete Charts will be presented to the class next week – Poster / PPT / MOVIE – Presentations Begin Oct 5 (B day) and Oct 6 (A day)