1. What’s the Difference?
Writing to Compare & Contrast

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. Point-by-Point (Alternating)
I. MPG
I. Car A
II. Car B
II. Handling
I. Car A
II. Car B
III. Special Equipment
I. Car A
II. Car B

6. Subject-by-Subject (Divided or Block)
I. Car A
I. MPG
II. Handling
III. Special Equipment
II. Car B
I. MPG
II. Handling
III. Special Equipment

7. Transitions
• Compare: • Contrast:
– In comparison to – In contrast to
– Likewise – Another point of
– Similarly distinction
– One similarity…another – One difference..another
similarity difference
– Just as – Unlike
– Again – While
– As – Conversely
– Too – On the contrary
– In the same way – Rather than