Comparison/Contrast Paragraphs Comparison/Contrast Paragraphs

What is a Comparison/Contrast Paragraph?What is a Comparison/Contrast Paragraph? Comparison and Contrast paragraphs write about how things are either

similar or different. When you compare two things, places, people, or ideas you show the reader how they are similar. When you contrast, you show how they are different.

Always choose two equal items — two cars, two vacations, two sports stars, etc. You must identify topics (e.g. high school and university) and their points of comparison or contrast (e.g., location, study requirements, clothes) that can be compared or contrasted.

B

AA B

SharksSharks The great white shark lives in

the deep, cold seas. It will attack large animals such as sea lions. In contrast, the bull shark lives mostly in shallow waters. Also, it is sometimes found in rivers. These sharks are both very good swimmers and hunters. Both kinds of sharks have lots of teeth.

similar

Very good swimmers

Lots of teeth

Great white shark

Deep, cold seas

Bull shark

Shallow water

Key words commonly used to expresscomparison include:

Key words commonly used to expresscomparison include:

like same too

similar In the same way

as

Both … and

have in common

the same as

similarly alike as well as

Contrasting Key PhrasesContrasting Key PhrasesContrasting Key PhrasesContrasting Key Phrases

although yet whereas

however but while

differ instead unless

unlike on the contrary contrary to

in contrast even though on the other hand

the reverse dissimilar to

SIMILARITIES

similar to Spring weather in Gaza is similar to spring

weather in Sydney. Both

Both Gaza and Sydney have rain in winter.

Also Sydney also has a rainy winter season.

Too Gaza has a rainy spring season, too.

SimilarlySimilarly, Sydney is very hot in summer.

DIFFERENCESOn the other hand

On the other hand, winter is much colder in Sydney.

HoweverHowever, winter is much colder in Sydney.

ButGaza has a mild winter, but Sydney has a cold one.

In contrast toIn contrast to Gaza, Sydney has a cold winter.

Differs from Sydney differs from Gaza by having a cold winter. While

While Gaza has a mild winter, Sydney has a cold winter.

Short Conjunctions Longer Expressions

 Similarly, Likewise, ...the same... ...the same as... ...also... ..., too. Both … andHowever,Nevertheless, Conversely,In contrast,

In the same way, … X is similar to Y in that

(they)... X is different from Y in that

(they)... X and Y are similar/different

in that (they)... Like X, Y [verb]... Unlike X, Y [verb] … In like manner, One way in which X is similar

to Y is (that)... One way in which X is

different from Y is (that)...

Activity 1: Join the following Sentences1. Hani is bachelor. His sister is bachelor

2. The Jordan River is long. The Nile River is long.

3. Amal's grades are high. Huda's grades are rather low.

4. Ahmed is very busy. Ali is busy.

5. I think Ahmed is a diligent student. Everyone thinks Ahmed is a diligent student.

6. John admits he had a lot of money. He claims he has lost everything.

7. My father usually goes to work by car. I go to work by car.

8. I believe that physical exercise is good. I believe that nutritious food is good.

9. Teaching beginners requires simple techniques. Teaching advanced students requires sophisticated techniques.

Activity 2: Complete the following sentences:

1. (although) Texting is a popular new way to communicate______________________________

2. (similarly) Taking care of children requires a lot of patience__________________________________

3. (in contrast) Universities spend a lot of money on research ____________________________________

4. (however) My two friends study similar things at university ____________________________________

5. (whereas) my grandparents do not know how to turn a computer on __________________________

6. (both) Eating well will keep you in good health _______________________________________________

There are various differences between means of transport in the past and today. In the past, people used animals, such as camels and donkeys to move from one place to another. Furthermore, in the past means of transport were not safe. They were slow and dangerous. Additionally, they were quite uncomfortable because the journey used to take weeks or even months. Nowadays. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________. To sum up, means of transport have become very important in our life.

Complete the following paragraph

There are various differences between means of transport in the past and today. In the past, people used animals, such as camels and donkeys to move from one place to another. Furthermore, in the past means of transport were not safe. They were slow and dangerous. Additionally, they were quite uncomfortable because the journey used to take weeks or even months. Nowadays, people use cars, trains and planes to move from one place to another. These transport means have become fast and quite comfortable, as it now takes less than a day to get anywhere you want. To sum up, means of transport have become very important in our life.

Complete the following paragraph

While we come from different cultures, my wife and I are______ in several ways. First, we are______ thirty-two years old. In fact, our birthdays are in the same month of July._____ is that we both grew up in large cities. Helen was born and raised in Paris and I come from London. Third, our hobbies are alike ______. My wife gives a lot of her free time to playing jazz piano._______, I like to spend time after work playing the guitar. A more important________ concerns our values. For example, Helen has strong opinions about educating our children and raising them to be good citizens. I feel________. Our children should receive good education and moral training.

in the same way – alike – another similarity – similarly – similarity – too – both - similar  

Even though Arizona and Rhode Island are both states of the U.S., they are ______ in many ways. For example, the physical size of each state is different. Arizona is large, having an area of 114,000 square miles, ______ Rhode Island is only about a tenth the size, having an area of only 1,214 square miles. ______ is in the size of the population of each state. Arizona has about four million people living in it, ____ Rhode Island has less than one million. The two states _____ differ in the kinds of natural environments that each has. For example, Arizona is a very dry state, consisting of large desert areas that do not receive much rainfall every year. ______, Rhode Island is located in a temperate zone and receives an average of 44 inches of rain per year. In addition,  ______ Arizona is a landlocked state and thus has no seashore, Rhode Island lies on the Atlantic Ocean and does have a significant coastline.

However – another difference – similarly – also – on the other hand – but – while- different

However and Whereas can be used to join two different or opposite ideas:My friend prefers watching television. However, I find reading books more interesting. My friend prefers watching television, whereas I find reading books more interesting. Whereas my friend prefers watching television, I find reading books more interesting.

NOTE: Use whereas at the beginning of a sentence or in the middle. Use however at the beginning of a sentence.

Using However or Whereas

1. Skiing is a popular sport. Many young people prefer snowboarding.

2. My literature class has over 200 students in it. My linguistics class has just twelve.

3. Dogs are more faithful. Cats are more independent.

4. DVDs are more common these days. I have a huge video tape collection.

5. Whereas I like all types of fish, ________________.

6. The winter season is quite mild in Gaza __________.

7. My little brother likes to play __________________.

8. Whereas you have lots of time to do your homework___ __________________________________________.

Connect the following sentences using However or Whereas

Writing Problems 1. The internet has alot of benefit for college students. 2. First, It allow to you to search for an information. 3. First, it is help us to make a lot of ideas. about many

subjects wich we need. 4. using the internet in university study have two

advantages. 5. to sum up using the internet university easy way and

become common to study. 6. Then, he depend on him self in order to improvement the

living situation of his family. 7. Although, from the living difficulty; nevertheless he was

one of a famouse personalities. 8. I like his way in telling stories, he make me feel that I’m

in the middle of a story. 9. He prefer to tell me stories happened with him.

Writing Problems 10. This year full of pressure, effort and hard work. 11. First day in the university it’s the most exciting event in my life. 12. when I arrived at the university I feel so happy Because now am free. 13. she encourge me to continue the life; inspite of, all the difficulties. 14. Older sister can help you when you have some difficult in your studing, she can tell you some information. 15. Our life full of an exciting experiences which make it wonderful. so, every one have many experiences, but there is one which the most exciting. 16. To have brothers and sisters is a priceless gift from Allah, as well as you will not be alone any more, your brothers and sisters will not share your house, they will share your time.

17. In this paragraph, I will talk about deference between high school and university.

18. We have a lot of difference between high school and university. I will mention three of them.

19. First, in a high school we wear formal uniform. but in the university we wear what we want.

20. For example, In school the student go to school at exactly time, but in university they can go lecture quite late.

21. First, In university you can choose the subjects that I can study it and feel comfortable with it, In contrast in high school we committed to study that subjects that choose by the school.

The most exciting experience. I had my success in Tawjihi, How beautiful that day was! I felt so happy that I never taste before. But, I Became sat at the same time, for it wasn’t the success as big as I wishes. Regardless that sad feeling, my parent were so glad that pushed me to be surprised to notice my father’s tears. so, I asked him at that time a bout the reason. It was pride, “I am proud of you my daughter”. I will never forget that day and the taste of pleasure.

University differ from High School such as number of lectures, time of lectures and exams.

First of All, in university you choose your lectures but, in school you have 6 or 5 classes.

Second, in university you can choose your time lectures for example, you have some in the morning and some lectures in the afternoon.

Finally, in University you have to study hard to get a high marks because of hard exam, but in School isn’t much difficult than University exams.

To sum up. University more different than school.