COMPARISON AND CONTRAST: SHOWING RELATIONSHIPS

WHAT IS COMPARISON AND CONTRAST? Comparison shows how two or more

things are similar Contrast shows how two or more

things are different

WHY ARE THEY USEFUL?

Comparing and contrasting is in fact part of our everyday lives. We do it to determine if something is superior to or more advantageous than something else.Most decisions we make in life are the result of a process of comparison and contrast.

SELECTING ITEMS FOR COMPARISON

Always choose two similar items—two movies, two plays,—not two unequal items like a film and a painting.

Next, decide if you want to compare or contrast as your primary strategy.

Your job is to interest the reader. Choose points to discuss that are not immediately obvious.

PURPOSEWhen you write a comparison and contrast essay, you shouldn’t just point out similarities and differences. Your main purpose is to “persuade, explain or inform” (Smalley, Ruetten and Kozyrev, 2001, p. 164). Therefore, your thesis must include an opinion regarding the topic.

PATTERNS OF ORGANIZATIONOnce you have decided whether you are going to focus on comparing or contrasting, you must decide on how you will organize your ideas.

There are two basic patterns you can use:• Point – by – Point• Block Organization (All of one/All of the Other)

PATTERNS OF ORGANIZATIONTo illustrate the patterns of organization, let’s look at this example from Smalley, Ruetten and Kozyrev, 2001.

Thesis: The Speed Damon 280 is a better car than the Road Runner XL.

The two cars will be contrasted in terms of:

Cost of maintenance Performance Comfort

I. Introductory paragraph: Introduces the topic and ends with the thesis.

II. Cost of maintenanceA.The Road Runner XLB.The Speed Demon 280

III. PerformanceC.The Road Runner XLD.The Speed Demon 280

IV. ComfortA. The Road Runner XLB. The Speed Demon 280

V. Conclusion (restates the thesis): In conclusion, the Speed Demon’s economy, superior performance and comfort make it the best car of its category.

POINT – BY – POINT

BLOCK ORGANIZATION (ALL OF ONE/ALL OF THE OTHER)I. Introductory paragraph: Introduces the topic and ends with the thesis.II. The Road Runner XL

A. Cost of maintenanceB. PerformanceC. Comfort

III. The Speed Demon 280A. Cost of maintenanceB. PerformanceC. Comfort

IV. Conclusion (restates the thesis): In conclusion, The Speed Demon’s economy, superior performance and comfort make it the best car of its category.