What’s the Difference?

Writing to Compare & Contrast

Comparison & Contrast

• Purpose: Helps us to understand one subject by seeing it in relation to another; helps evaluate

• Essential for learning, evaluating, & decision making

• Compare= similarities• Contrast= differences• One of the most difficult patterns

Drafting

• What is your purpose? Who is your audience?• Prewriting: Identify Points of Comparison;

limit scope• Introduction: What is your thesis? What are

your subjects? What is the basis for your comparison/contrast?

• Body Paragraphs: Choose the organizational pattern that best suits purpose

• Conclusion: Summarizes point & draws logical conclusions

Using an Analogy

• Special type of comparison• Used to clarify an unfamiliar or complex subject

by pointing out similarities to something concrete

• Compares two dissimilar subjects• No direct relationship is drawn • EXAMPLES:– Art of Writing/ Art of Carpentry– Earth’s Atmosphere/Window

Point-by-Point (Alternating)

I. MPGI. Car AII. Car B

II. HandlingI. Car AII. Car B

III. Special Equipment I. Car AII. Car B

Subject-by-Subject (Divided or Block)

I. Car AI. MPGII. HandlingIII. Special Equipment

II. Car BI. MPGII. HandlingIII. Special Equipment

Transitions

• Compare:– In comparison to– Likewise– Similarly– One similarity…another

similarity– Just as– Again– As– Too– In the same way

• Contrast:– In contrast to– Another point of

distinction– One difference..another

difference– Unlike – While– Conversely– On the contrary– Rather than