1. Comparison/Contrast
Karen S. Wright

2. Making comparisons examines
two or more items:
•Items alike
•Items different
•Or items that are both

3. Some Issues are Trivial
Whether to order. . .
hot, juicy pizza
or
a sub sandwich

4. Should I buy a. . .
Ford
or
Chevy?

5. Comparisons Also Discuss Unfamiliar Things
A sportswriter
might compare:
The English sport
of rugby
American football

6. A history teacher might compare:
France’s court system
United States court system

7. Comparisons Influence Important Decisions
What will be
your major?
chemistry
engineering
law medicine

8. Comparisons Must Share Common
Ground
Two golfers:
Driving ability
Putting ability
Sand play
Preferred clubs

9. Organizing a Comparison
There are two basic patterns to organize a
comparison/contrast paper:
Block Pattern
Alternating Pattern

10. Block Organization
In the block style of organization, each subject is
discussed one at a time.
Each section needs
to be short.
Readers can only
remember short
pieces of information.

11. Block Style
For an essay that compares and
contrasts writing in college and
writing at work:
Subject A: Writing in College
Point 1: Audience Instructor
Point 2: Purpose To
fulfill an
assignment.
Point 3: Outcomes: Feedback,
evaluation,
grade

12. Block Organization
Subject B: Writing at Work
Point 1: Audience:
Boss or customer
Point 2: Purpose :
To convey information
Point 3: Outcomes:
Follow-up action

13. Point-By Point Organization
Point 1: Audience
College: Instructor
Work: Boss
Point 2: Purpose
College: To fulfill an
assignment
Work: To convey information
Point 3: Outcomes
College: Feedback, grade
Work: Follow-up action

14. Vocabulary of
Comparing/Contrasting
Although on the contrary
both on the other hand
however similarly
in contrast though
like where (whereas)
while

15. Can be as simple as comparing a
to a
Puppy
Kitten

16. C
O
M
P
A
R
I
N
G
C
O
N
T
R
A
S
T
I
N
GDifferent Kinds of Cows

17. Most important: be organized
and it will. . .
put a smile on your face.