COMPARISON/CONTRASTDefinitions

*To compare is to show similarities (likenesses).*To contrast is to show differences.

COMPARISON/CONTRASTTwo Techniques Strategies for organizing

information Establish meaningful

similarities/differences Subjects in the same

class Helps us make informed

decisions based on facts

Comparison/contrast is used for different topics and purposes.

Comparison/contrast may be separate or combined.

COMPARISON/CONTRASTTitle

Unfortunately, the title will not be cleverbut routine. Possible titles for a comparison/contrast essay about Grant and Lee are the following:

Grant vs. LeeGrant and Lee

Two Outstanding Generals

COMPARISON/CONTRASTPart-By-Part or Point-by-Point or Alternating

Paragraph 1 (introduction)—lists (series using commas) the two subjects that are beingcontrasted in 3 areas.Note: A transitional word or phrase must be used, such as On the other hand, conversely, in contrast … to show the shift from the first subject to the second.

COMPARISON/CONTRAST SAMPLE INTRODUCTION

Even though Grant and Lee were two distinguished generals in the Civil War in 1865, (one similarity) they were significantly different in terms of their background, perceptions of leadership, and the sense of loyalty to their own region. (three differences)

COMPARISON/CONTRASTApplication of Part-by-Part Method

Paragraph 2: Discusses subjects 1 (Grant) and 2 (Lee) in terms of the first difference (background), giving facts and using a transition.

COMPARISON/CONTRASTSample Paragraph 2

Grant was a middle-class man from humble beginnings in the mountains. He was tough, self-reliant, and independent, believing that he alone was responsible for his fate. Only his skills, efforts, and perseverance would determine if he would besuccessful. Because he was dissatisfied with the status quo, he believed in democracy and competition. In contrast, (transitional phrase), Lee was an aristocrat from a family of landowners. He believed there should be an inequality in thesocial structure, and that society should be tied to the land as the chief source of wealth. Since Lee was satisfied with the status quo, he feared change.

COMPARISON/CONTRASTApplication of Part-by-Part Method

Paragraph 3: Discusses subject 1 (Grant) and subject 2 (Lee) in terms ofthe second difference (leadership), giving facts and using transitions.

COMPARISON/CONTRASTApplication of Part-by-Part MethodSample Paragraph 3

Grant believed any man could become a leader, provided he had the ability, skills, and was able to assume the position. He wanted only to be able to improve himself and to prove what he could accomplish in a democratic nation. Nevertheless (transition), Lee thought otherwise; he believed that only wealthy landowners could be leaders because they had a stake in their community. As a leader, Lee was accountable to those men in his region because they looked to him as a role model for higher values.

COMPARISON/CONTRAST Application of Part-by-Part Method

Paragraph 4:Paragraph 4: discusses subject 1 (Grant) and 2 discusses subject 1 (Grant) and 2 (Lee) in terms of the third difference (loyalty to (Lee) in terms of the third difference (loyalty to their region), giving facts and using transitionstheir region), giving facts and using transitions. .

COMPARISON/CONTRASTApplication of Part-by-Part MethodSample Paragraph 4

Grant had no sense of loyalty to his region. As far as he was concerned, every man had an equal chance to show how far he could rise. He believed in competition. Privileges had to be earned, not given. On the other hand (transitional phrase), Lee was tied to hisregion because of his position, and he would fight to the limit to defend it because it was what gave his life meaning. Privileges were given to those who were wealthy landowners.

COMPARISON/CONTRASTApplication of Part-by-Part Method

Paragraph 5 (Conclusion): states that one man is superior to the other, orthat both men are equal.

COMPARISON/CONTRAST SAMPLE CONCLUSION (Alternating)

Despite the fact that both Grant and Leewere rivals on the battlefield and Lee lost the war, both men exemplified perseverance, courage, and patience when they finally agreed to negotiate the terms for peace in 1865 at Appomattox Court House after manylives had been lost in the Civil War.

COMPARISON/CONTRAST Advantages and Disadvantages of Part-by-Part Method

Better for short essays

Differences are easier to spot because they are lined up

Can be short, choppy, and disorganized without proper transitions, such as however, on the other hand, conversely, nevertheless, nonetheless …

COMPARISON/CONTRAST(SAMPLE INTRODUCTION (Whole by Whole) [Same as the Point-by-Point method]

Even though Grant and Lee were distinguished generals in the Civil War (one similarity), they were significantly different in terms of their background, perceptions of leadership, and sense of loyalty to their own region. (three differences)

COMPARISON/CONTRASTApplication of Whole-By-Whole Method

Paragraph 2 – discusses Grant in terms of all three differences: background, leadership, and loyalty to the region), giving facts.

COMPARISON/CONTRASTApplication of Whole-by-Whole MethodSample Paragraph 2

In terms of background, Grant was a middle-class man from humble beginnings in the mountains. He was tough, self-reliant, and independent, believing that he alone was responsible for his fate. Only his skills, efforts, and perseverance would determine if he would e successful. Because he was dissatisfied with the status quo, he believed in democracy and competition. Grant also believed any many could become a leader, provided he had the ability, skills, and was able to assume the position. He wanted only to e ale to improve himself and to prove what he could accomplish. Moreover, Grant had no sense of loyalty to his region. As far as he was concerned, every man had an equal chance to show how far he could rise. Privileges had to be earned, not given. Life was competition.

COMPARISON/CONTRASTApplication of Whole-by-Whole MethodParagraph 3

Paragraph 3 – Discusses Lee in terms of all three differences (background, leadership, and loyalty to the region), giving facts.Note: A transitional word or phrase must precede the paragraph on the second subject to show a shift from one subject to theother.

COMPARISON/CONTRASTApplication of Whole-by-Whole MethodSample Paragraph 3

In contrast, Lee was an aristocrat from a family of landowners who owned slaves. He believed there should be an inequality in the social structure, and that society should be tied to the land as the chief source of wealth. Since Lee was satisfied with the status quo, he feared change. He believed only wealthy landowners could be leaders because they had a stake in their community. As a leader, Lee was accountable to the men in his region because they looked to him as a role model for higher values. Moreover, he was tied to his region because his position provided him with a solemn obligation to these men because of his financial ties to his community. Consequently, he would fight to the limit to defend it because it was what gave his life meaning.

COMPARISON/CONTRASTApplication of Whole-by-Whole Method

Paragraph 4 (Conclusion): states that one man is superior to the other, orthat both men are equal.

COMPARISON/CONTRASTSAMPLE CONCLUSION(Whole by Whole) {Same as the Point-by-Point method]

Despite the fact that both Grant and Lee were rivals on the battlefield and Lee lost the war, both men exemplified perseverance, courage, and patience when they finally agreed to negotiate the terms for peace at Appomattox Court House in 1865 after many lives had been lost in the Civil War.

COMPARISON/CONTRASTAdvantages and Disadvantages of Whole-by-Whole Method

Better for longer essays when background information is needed or when the reader wants to display a lot of information at a glance

Can be viewed as a separate essay if no transitions are used

Takes longer for readers to see the difference, since they are not aligned

COMPARISON/CONTRAST

The writer determines how he/she wishes to organize the material for proper effect. The writer needs to consider the topic, purpose, and how much an audience knows about the subject matter.

Remember: Your purpose is to inform. As a writer, you must assume your readers have some information about the topic, but they are not “experts.” Finally, you are to mention only one similarity but three differences between the subjects. The focus of this essay is on differences, not similarities!

Determining the Organizational Pattern