Comparison and contrast essays

PATTERN : Go on vacation : on a beach or in a city Thesis statement: The purpose of this essay is to contrast the differences between vacation at a beach or in a city.. Short Conjunctio

WEEK 5,6,7 – WRITING 4 - LE PHUONG THAO

THE COMPARISON AND CONTRAST ESSAY Introduction

Comparison and contrast essays indicate the similarities and contrasts between two things The purposes are to determine the superiority of one thing over another, to persuade, to explain or to

inform.Therefore, think of comparison and contrast as a method of development – not as a purpose for writing

Notice: When you compare two places, situations, things or persons, there must be a basis of comparison It means they must have something basic in common We can not compare the river Nile and New York city

How to write

1 Thesis statement:

In your thesis statement you should make it clear to the readers whether the essay is indicating the similarities or differences

2 Organization

A- Point by point: This kind of pattern is used for organizing the complex topics because the comparison

or contrast is made clear throughout the essay

PATTERN : Go on vacation : on a beach or in a city

Thesis statement: The purpose of this essay is to contrast the differences between vacation at a beach or

in a city.

a Differences about the kind of activities you are able to do:

* At a beach: - Sailing, - Fishing, - Surfing

* In a city: - Visiting museums, theaters, downtown, etc.

b Differences about the clothing and equipment you need to take with you:

* Beach: - Bathing suit- Short- Short-sleeve shirts- Sunglasses, etc.

*City: - Jeans- Tennis shoes-Fancy clothes, etc.

(From the presentation of Group 4,7)

B- All of one / All of the Other: This kind of pattern is used for organizing the simple topics because it is

sometimes difficult to remind the readers in the second section of how the points compare/contrast with the points mentions in the first section

PATTERN :

Thesis statement: A Honda is abetter car than a Toyota

1 A Honda

a Cost of maintenance

b Performance

c Comfort

2 A Toyota

3 Cost of maintenance

4 Performance

5 Comfort

Short Conjunctions Longer Expressions

Similarly,

Likewise,

the same

the same as

also

, too

both

In the same way,

X is similar to Y in that (they)

X and Y are similar in that (they)

Like X, Y [verb]

In like manner, One way in which X is similar to Y is (that)

Another way in which X is similar to Y is (that)

Short Conjunctions Subordinating Conjunctions

However,

In contrast,

By contrast,

, but

, yet

On the other hand, even though + [sentence]

although + [sentence]

whereas + [sentence]

unlike + [sentence]

while + [sentence]

nevertheless,

is similar to

Example: Spring weather in

Vancouver is similar to spring

weather in Halifax

On the other hand

Example: On the other hand, winter is much colder in

Halifax.

both

Example: Both Vancouver and

Halifax have rain in the spring.

however

Example: However, winter is much colder in Halifax

also

Example: Halifax also has a rainy

spring season

but

Example: Vancouver has a mild winter, but Halifax has a cold

one.

too

Example: Halifax too has a rainy

spring season

in contrast

Example: In contrast to Vancouver, Halifax has a cold winter.

as well

Example: As well, Halifax has rainy

spring season.

differs from

Example: Halifax differs from Vancouver by having a cold

winter.

while

Example: While Vancouver has a mild winter, Halifax has a

cold winter.

unlike

Example: Unlike Vancouver , Halifax has a cold winter.