1. Comparison and Contrast Essays

2. What is comparison and contrast?
Comparison=similarities
Contrast= differences
Used together

3. Establishing a basis for comparison
must have enough in common
move beyond the obvious (i.e., plot)
If two things are very similar, the contrasts may be worth writing about

4. Searching points for discussion
Determine your emphasis—similarities, differences, both
Determine the major focus
Address the same or similar elements for each subject
Novel A
Novel B
Major characters
Minor characters
themes

5. Do not discuss entirely different elements for each subject
Novel A
Novel B
Major Characters
Plot
Minor Characters
Author’s Life
Themes
symbolism
Do not discuss entirely different elements for each subject

6. Brainstorm everything you know about each subject
Go back and find connections
Identify connections as similar and/or different
Points of C/C
Autumn
Spring
Temperature (-)
Cooler
Warmer
Changes (-)
Leaves change
Flowers bloom
Colors (+)
Brilliant colors
Location (-+)
Precedes winter
Precedes summer
Symbolism (-)
Death
Birth

7. 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.
EXAMPLE: “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.”

8. Structuring a Comparison and Contrast Essay
Subject by Subject
Address one subject first, the other second—discuss the same points for both
Use brainstorming to guide your selection of points
Arrange points in logical order, usually order of importance.
Good for short, uncomplicated papers.

9. Point by Point Comparison
Good for longer, more complex papers
Make a point about one subject, and then follow it with a comparable point about the other subject.
Alternating pattern
BAD: Ping-Pong effect
**To avoid this problem, vary sentence structure as you move from point to point.

10. Student Example: Comparison and Contrast Essay

15. WRITING EXERCISE: LOVE!
Auguste Rodin, The Kiss (Sculpture)
Robert Indiana, LOVE (Sculpture)
What significant characteristics do these two sculptures share? Do they share enough characteristics to establish a basis for comparison? Explain.

16. Auguste Rodin, The Kiss (Sculpture)
Robert Indiana, LOVE (Sculpture)
In your journal, create a venn diagram to list the similarities and differences of these two works of art.

17. Auguste Rodin, The Kiss (Sculpture)
Robert Indiana, LOVE (Sculpture)
What general statement could you make about these two sculptures? Do the points you listed on your venn diagram provide enough support for this general statement?

18. Auguste Rodin, The Kiss (Sculpture)
Robert Indiana, LOVE (Sculpture)
Write a short comparison-contrast essay in your journal on the following:
How does each sculpture convey the idea of love? Which one do you believe conveys this idea more effectively? Why?

19. 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.