ACADEMIC WRITING I April 18, 2014

Today compare/contrast writing

Compare/Contrast Writing In comparison/contrast writing, we explain the differences and/or similarities between two subjects. (That is part of it, anyway) - The ‘subjects’ can be most anything. (transportation systems, governments, kinds of ice cream).

Compare/Contrast Writing This is a very common type of essay in many fields. Examples: Compare the forms of government of Canada and the U.S. Compare the characters of Winston and O’Brien in George Orwell’s “1984.” Compare and contrast methods for marketing a new product. Political Science Literature Business

Organization A key feature of comparison/contrast essays is organization. - Careful organization is necessary for an effective essay of this kind. - You don’t want to confuse the reader(s). - There are several ways to organize a comparison/contrast essay. We will examine two of them.

Organization Look at these two examples: - How does each organize its information?

Organization – Example 1 Subjects: beaches & mountains Points of comparison/contrast: climate, activities, locations Body 1: Mountains Body 2: Beaches

Organization – Example 2 Subjects: fresh foods & canned foods Points of comparison/contrast: flavors, benefits, cost Body 1: flavor Body 2: health benefits Body 3: cost

Organization Example 1: Block organization Example 2: Point-by-point organization - Neither holds advantage over the other. - Which you use depends on your preference (and to a degree), the goal of your writing.

Block Organization Contents organized into “blocks” Discuss all of topic A, then all of topic B.

Block Organization Basic outline: I. Introduction (opening, purpose of the essay, thesis statement). II. Body A. Topic A features - Feature 1 - Feature 2 B. Topic B features - Feature 1 - Feature 2 III. Conclusion NOTE: Make sure you discuss the same features for each topic!

Point-by-Point Organization Each point of comparison (“feature”) becomes the topic of a paragraph. Within each paragraph, the two topics are compared or contrasted on that feature.

Point-by-Point Organization Basic outline: (Two topics, A & B) I. Introduction (opening, purpose of the essay, thesis statement). II. Body A. Difference/similarity 1 - Flavor - Topic 1 - Fresh - Topic 2 - Canned B. Difference/similarity 2 – Health Benefits - Topic 1 - Topic 2 C. Difference/similarity 3 - Cost - Topic 1 - canned - Topic 2 III. Conclusion NOTE: Always discuss the topics in the same order!

Which do you prefer? OR Source: billsmovieemporium.wordpress.combillsmovieemporium.wordpress.comSource:

Which do you prefer? OR Source: euyeomuyeo.tumblr.comeuyeomuyeo.tumblr.comSource: s276.photobucket.coms276.photobucket.com

- These both have similarities and differences, BUT Which would you recommend to a foreign tourist? Source:

Compare/Contrast Writing - Analysis - It is not enough to simply say: “This is how A & B are different; this is how they are similar.” - The above is just repeating information. - At the university level, some form of analysis is needed in comparison/contrast writing.  Go beyond “here is some information…the end ”

Compare/Contrast Writing - Analysis - Your analysis should begin by considering the information you have collected. - Ask yourself: What factors can I compare my two topics on? - How are they similar? - How are they different?

Compare/Contrast Writing - Analysis - Your analysis should begin by considering the information you have collected. - Next, determine a position: i.e., two smart phones: Which would you recommend to a new smart phone user? two countries: Which is better for a foreign investor? two universities: which provides the best opportunities to foreign students?

Compare/Contrast Writing - Analysis - Ask yourself: “Along what factors are these two topics reasonably comparable?” - Research factors that will allow for a logical analysis to be made.

Compare/Contrast Writing - Analysis Example: Comparing two similar jobs for a college graduate entering the job market. Job X and Job Y

Point of comparison Job XJob Y Same or different ? Salary$30/hour$25/hourdifferent Benefits (vacation, pension, health insurance). Great (all) Good (no health insurance) different Chance for promotion Good same Workplace environment Friendly, supportive same

Compare/Contrast Writing - Analysis How could this information be analyzed? i.e., While both Job X and Job Y offer good workplace environments and opportunities for promotion, Job X is a better job for a recent graduate because it offers superior salary and benefits.

Point of comparison Job XJob Y Same or different ? Salary$30/hour same Benefits (vacation, pension, health insurance). Great same Chance for promotion mediumGood different Workplace environment Stressful, busyFriendly, supportive different

Compare/Contrast Writing - Analysis How could this information be analyzed? i.e., Despite offering similar salaries and benefits, Job Y is a better job for a recent graduate than Job X because of its more conductive workplace environment and better chance for promotion.

Compare/Contrast Dong Young and Grad School - Which would be better to show a visitor to KMU’s campus?

Assignment 3 – Compare/Contrast Essay Start researching one of the following: 1. Two countries’ suitability for studying abroad 2. Two sports to introduce to a new fan 3. Active vs. passive personality in terms of business success. 4. Two leaders (modern or historical) NOTE: All topics must be INTERNATIONAL (not Korean)