1. Comparison and Contrast Writing
Jessica Turner
Pima Community
College
Adapated from:
Steven Federle
Solano College

2. What is comparison and contrast?
Comparison shows how two or more things are similar
Contrast shows how two or more things are different
In most writing situations, the two related processes are used together

3. What is comparison and contrast?
Contrast shows how two or more things are different.

4. What is comparison and contrast?
Comparison shows how two or more things are similar

5. What is comparison and contrast?
In most writing situations, the two related processes are used together

6. Purposes of comparison and contrast?
To draw distinction between related subjects.
To recommend a choice between two things.
To examine advantages and disadvantages.
To show how one subject has changed (before and after).
To propose an idea, criticize a change, or make a prediction.

7. Cross-curriculum essay topics
History
Compare and contrast medieval feudal Europe and Japan.
Chemistry
Explain the difference between covalent and ion bonds.
English
How did the culture of the island change before and after Simon’s death in Lord of the Flies.
Technical Fields
Explain the pros and cons of a diesel versus a gasoline engine in a light-duty truck
Political Science
How has the Republican Party changed from its emergence in the mid-1800s?

8. Establishing a basis for comparison
The two things to be compared must have enough in common to justify the comparison.
In making comparisons, you should move beyond the obvious (i.e., people and bees)
When two things are very similar, it is the contrasts that may be worth writing about.
And on the other hand, when two things are very different, look for the similar.

9. points for discussion Turtles Tortoises
Determine your emphasis on similarities, differences, or both.
Determine the major focus of your paper.
Use the same points of discussion for each item.
Turtles
Habitat: water
Shell Shape:
Domed
Limbs: short, stubby, flat feet
Diet: omnivoire
Tortoises
Habitat:
land
Flatter
Limbs: Webbed with claws
Diet: herbivore

10. Do not vary your discussion points between subjects.
Also, be sure you cover them in the same order.
Turtles
Habitat: water
Shell Shape:
Domed
Limbs: short, stubby, flat feet
Lifespan:
80-150
years
Tortoises
Distribution: Mostly Asia & Africa
Shell Shape: Flatter
Limbs: Webbed with claws
Shell weight:
Lightweight

11. Weighing the merits Subject #1 Subject #2 Point 4 Point 3 Point 3

12. Before and AFter
Before
Detail #1
Detail #2
After

13. Comparing more than two
Sporting
Dogs
Origins
Purpose
Personality
Working Dogs
Herding Dogs

14. The Classic venn diagram
Tragedy
Comedy

15. Formulating a Thesis Statement
Identify not only the subjects to be compared and contrasted in your essay, but the point you will make about them.
Also indicate whether you will focus on similarities or differences, or balance the two.

16. sample Thesis Statements
“Although Melville’s Moby-Dick and London’s The Sea Wolf are both about the sea, the minor characters, major characters, and themes of Moby-Dick establish its greater complexity.”
The Empire Strikes Back is the best of all the Star Wars films because George Lucas didn’t direct it, the villains win, and there are no Ewoks.

17. Structuring a Comparison and Contrast Essay

18. Subject by Subject Sporting Dogs Working Dogs Herding Dogs Origins
Purpose
Personality
Working Dogs
Herding Dogs

19. Subject by Subject
Divides the paper into two (or more) different sections.
Write a separate essay about each subject, discussing the same points for both subjects.
Bring the points together in a paragraph that evaluates or judges the subject you are comparing
Arrange points in logical order, usually order of importance.
Good for short, uncomplicated papers.

20. Subject by Subject Cons Pros Simple and straightforward
Good for short papers.
Good for abstract topics
Cons
Not for long papers.
Reader forgets which details match from subject to subject.

21. Point by Point Comparison
Make a point about one subject, and then follow it with a comparable point about the other subject.
Alternating pattern
Be careful not to fall into a monotonous, back and forth movement between points. To avoid this problem, vary sentence structure as you move from point to point.

22. Cons Pros Point by point
Good for longer papers
Details are side by side for ease of comparison.
Cons
Difficult to use if the detail categories don’t align
Harder to design and write. Must be able to use transition words, phrases, and sentences well.

23. introduction Establish Common Ground
State the Problem: Disrupt the common ground. Consequence of not addressing it.
State Your Response/Thesis:
State the gist of your solution
Provide a possible solution to the problem

24. Using Transitions Comparison contrast in the same way
by the same token
similarly
in like manner
likewise
in similar fashion
contrast
yet
and yet
nevertheless
nonetheless
after all
but
however
though
otherwise
on the contrary
in contrast
notwithstanding
on the other hand
at the same time

25. Michaelangelo
Pietà
Rottengen Pietà
What significant characteristics do these two sculptures share? Do they share enough characteristics to establish a basis for comparison? Explain.

26. Michaelangelo
Pietà
Rottengen Pietà
What general statement could you make about these two sculptures? Do the provide enough support for this general statement?

27. Michaelangelo
Pietà
Rottengen Pietà

28. Grammar: parallelism
Parallelism is the use of matching nouns, verbs, phrases, or clauses to express the same or similar ideas.
“It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.” Charles Dickens, Tale of Two Cities.
Click here to visit Purdue University website on parallelism.