Unit 4: Comparison-Contrast

Navarro CollegeEnglish 1301Hammonds-French

What is Comparison-Contrast?

Comparing = seeing how things are alike Contrasting = seeing how things are

different

Comparison-contrast helps us to answer questions of benefits v. disadvantages, cost v. reward, likes v. dislikes, and it gives us knowledge in a variety of situations that require choice: which movie would I rather spend my money to see?

Purpose and Audience

Comparison-contrast works best for the following purposes: to demonstrate that one thing is better than

another; to demonstrate that two things that seem

different are actually alike; or to demonstrate that two things that seem

alike are actually different.FYI ~ Words like compare, contrast, differ, have in

common, or versus, lend themselves to comparison-contrast writing.

STRATEGIES

1. Be sure your subjects are at least somewhat alike. Some obvious qualities are needed to serve as the starting point to jump into a discussion of the not so obvious differences. (Note what the following topics already have in common.)▪ Compare and contrast two different parts of the

same country.▪ Compare and contrast two identical twins.▪ Compare and contrast two famous comedians.

2. Stay focused on your purpose. You are NOT to just compose a mechanical list of “how A differs from B.” You must determine in your thesis the reason for your comparison-contrast. (See if you can determine the reason for the c-c in the thesis statements below.)▪ Though both Destin Beach and Sunset Beach are tourist

beaches in Florida, the vacationer is sure to book a return trip to Sunset Beach for three important reasons.

▪ Despite the mirror images Traci and Maci, identical twins, display physically and facially, if you value a friend who is trustworthy, loyal, and honest, then you could only choose one.

▪ Though Bill Cosby and Bernie Mac share many comedic traits, when it comes to family dynamics, only one humorously communicates ideas that resonate for the 21st century family.

3. Formulate a strong thesis statement that does the following. Your thesis should…▪ Name the subjects being compared.▪ Indicate whether the essay focuses on the subjects’

similarities, differences, or both.▪ State the essay’s main point of comparison-

contrast.

▪ LOOK BACK AT MY PREVIOUS THESIS STATEMENTS FOR AN ACTIVITY.

1. Name the subjects being compared and contrasted. 2. Indicate whether the essay focuses on similarities, differences, or both. 3. State the essay’s main point of comparison-contrast.

▪ Though both Destin Beach and Sunset Beach are tourist beaches in Florida, the vacationer is sure to book a return trip to Sunset Beach for three important reasons.▪ Destin Beach and Sunset Beach▪ Both; more of contrasts since they already share similarities▪ To show why tourists are more likely to return to Sunset Beach

▪ Despite the mirror images that Traci and Maci, identical twins, display physically and facially, if you value a friend who is trustworthy, loyal, and honest, then you could only choose one. (1.?2.?3.?)

▪ Though Bill Cosby and Bernie Mac share many comedic traits, when it comes to family dynamics, only one humorously communicates ideas that resonate for the 21st century family. (1.?2.?3.?)

4. Select the points to be discussed.▪ Consider your topics.▪ Consider your thesis statement.▪ Consider your paper length (generally 2 page

length, but if you write onto the third page, that is ok).▪ Consider what would be meaningful and

interesting for a focus. ▪ Usually 3-4 points is enough. 2 points is not

enough! 5 points would make the paper too long!

ACTIVITY

Consider the following thesis statement and the points under it. What points should be eliminated as UNSUITABLE for the thesis/topic?▪ Though Bill Cosby and Bernie Mac share many comedic

traits, when it comes to family dynamics, only one humorously communicates ideas that resonate for the 21st century family.

▪ Points?▪ Race of the comedian▪ Age of the comedian▪ Famous jokes about family▪ Personal family information (marriage, children,

grandchildren)▪ Television sitcoms about family issues▪ Education of the comedian

5. Organize the points to be discussed so that they are not a confused jumble of information. There are two acceptable ways of organizing your essay: One-side-at-a-time method (total 4

paragraphs) Point-by-point method (total 5

paragraphs)

One-side-at-a-time method Everything about subject A (in one paragraph)

Point 1 Point 2 Point 3 Point 4

Everything about subject B (in one paragraph) Point 1 Point 2 Point 3 Point 4

THE POINTS SHOULD BE IN SAME ORDER!

FOR EXAMPLE…

Everything about Traci (one paragraph) Trustworthiness (examples, details) Loyalty (examples, details) Honesty (examples, details)

Everything about Maci (one paragraph) Trustworthiness (examples, details) Loyalty (examples, details) Honesty (examples, details)

NOTICE: THE POINTS ARE IN SAME ORDER! NOTICE: THE PAPER HAS TWO BODY PARAGRAPHS!

THIS PAPER WILL HAVE LENGTHY BODY PARAGRAPHS THAT RELY ON GOOD ARRANGEMENT AND COHERENCE!

Point-by-point method

First point of subjects A & B Subject A shows this point… Subject B shows this point…

Second point of subjects A & B Subject A shows this point… Subject B shows this point…

Third point of subjects A & B Subject A shows this point… Subject B shows this point…

FOR EXAMPLE

Trustworthiness (one paragraph) Traci demonstrates trustworthiness by… (examples, details) Maci demonstrates trustworthiness by…(examples, details)

Loyalty (one paragraph) Traci shows her loyalty by…(examples, details) Maci shows her loyalty by…(examples, details)

Honesty (one paragraph) Traci defines honesty as… (examples, details) Maci defines honesty as…(examples, details)

NOTICE : THE POINTS ARE IN THE SAME ORDER IN EACH CATEGORY! NOTICE : THE PAPER HAS THREE BODY PARAGRAPHS!

THIS PAPER REQUIRES THE WRITER TO SHIFT BETWEEN THE TOPICS WITHIN THE SAME PARAGRAPH WHILE STAYING ON POINT!

6. Supply the reader/evaluator with clear transitions. Even if you follow the pattern correctly, you will still need to use transitions to smoothly move through your essay. Transitions to signal comparisons: also, in the

same way, likewise, similarly… Transitions to signal contrasts: by way of contrast,

on the other hand, however, but, yet, contrarily…

NOTICE: Failure to use adequate and smooth transitions can significantly impede meaning and thereby lower your overall

grade on the essay.

REVIEW of strategies

1. Stay focused on your purpose. 2. Formulate a strong thesis statement. 3. Make sure thesis statement names the

topics, indicates the focus, and states the reason for the c-c.

4. Select 3-4 points to be discussed. 5. Choose your organizational pattern:

one-side-at-a-time OR point-by-point. 6. Supply the reader/evaluator with clear

transitions.

ACTIVITY (starting point)

Compare- contrast topic: Paper or plastic? What could your purpose be? Are the topics somewhat alike already? What points could you list that could be

narrowed for your discussion? Can you formulate a possible thesis

statement? ****

ACTIVITY discussion

1. Read the sample essay “Euromail and Amerimail” in the textbook, pp. 315-17.

Determine the two subjects of the essay.

Determine the points of comparison-contrast.

Determine the thesis statement.

Analysis follows…

Essay analysis:

Paragraphs 1 = introduction, background, thesis statement [Europeans and Americans use two distinct forms of e-mail.**Your thesis statement must be stated as the last sentence of your introduction paragraph.**

Paragraphs 2-9= comparison-contrast is point-by-point organization

Concluding paragraph 11 = Author gives preference for the European style e-mails.

**You are only required one introductory paragraph and one concluding paragraph. You will then develop 2 body paragraphs OR 3 body paragraphs

depending upon the pattern of organization you choose to use.

TOPICS:

1. The decisions of Little Red Riding Hood v. The decisions of Goldilocks

2. A book v. The book’s movie version 3. Tattoos v. Piercings 4. Two approaches for dealing with problems 5. Physical beauty v. Inner beauty 6. Two attitudes toward money 7. Writing essays v. Going to the dentist

[NAVARRO class only= rough draft due next week for peer evaluation]

PREWRITING

Use the appropriate graphic organizer to help with prewriting on your topic.

Handouts

ROUGH DRAFT

Handwrite or type your first draft of your essay, BUT mark on it with editing notes, revision suggestions.

Proofread what you have written or typed.

Check your rough draft with your prewriting graphic organizer and notes to make sure you have followed the correct organizational pattern.

PEER EVALUATION

Bring your COMPLETED rough draft to class on the calendar date.

FINAL DRAFT

This is due on You must also bring all prewriting

and rough drafts with the peer evaluation sheet to turn in!