Comparison & Contrast Essays

Show how 2 things are BOTH similar

• Contrast = Show how things are different

• Ideas
• People
• Things
• Events
 Caution!
• You have to show BOTH similarities AND
differences.
• DO NOT pick 2 completely unrelated objects
that have nothing in common.
• DO NOT pick 2 objects that are so very similar
that there is almost nothing to write about
that’s different.
 Is it a good topic?
• Two Different Teachers
• Grammar and Reading
• The Same Holiday in 2 Different Countries
• Two Different Holidays
• Tropical forests and houseplants
• Dogs and Cats
• Cars and Airplanes
• Nurses and Doctors
 Comparison Language
• Alike
• My parents and my husband’s parents are alike in many ways
• And….too
• Dublin has an international airport, and London does too
• As…as
• The Tower’s apartments are as expensive as the Park Lane’s.
• Both….and
• Both Egypt and Kenya are in Africa.
• Like
• The weather in Philadelphia is like the weather in my hometown.
• Likewise
• Toyota makes good cars, Likewise, Fiat also makes good cars.
• Similar to
• The menu at Gino’s is similar to the menu at Frank’s.
• Similarly
• Martha has two children and works full-time. Similarly, Lelia is a working mother.
• The Same
• My roommate and I like the same kinds of music.
• The Same as
• The altitude of Calcutta is the same as the altitude of Copenhagen.
 Contrast Language
• Although
• Although the Sahara Desert has a dry climate, some crops can be grown there.
• But
• The Sahara desert has a dry climate, but the Amazon Rain Forest has a wet climate.
• Different From
• The climate in the Sahara desert is very different from the climate in the Amazon Rain Forest.
• Even Though
• Even Though the Sahara Desert has a dry climate, some crops can be grown there.
• However
• The Sahara desert has a dry climate; however, the Amazon Rain Forest has a wet climate.
• In Contrast
• The Sahara Desert has a dry climate. In contrast, the Amazon Rain Forest has a wet climate.
• On the Other Hand
• The Sahara Desert has a dry climate. On the other hand, the Amazon Rain Forest has a wet
climate.
• Unlike
• Unlike rain forests, deserts get very little rain.
• Whereas
• Whereas the Sahara Desert is dry, the Amazon Rain Forest is wet.
• While
• While the Sahara Desert is dry, the Amazon Rain Forest is wet.
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 You Try It!
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 The Great Mystery Bag Challenge
• Number off into 5 groups
• Hint: (no one should count higher than 5)
• Meet Your Group
• Each group will get a mystery bag
• Examine the contents of the mystery bag
• Hint: (you CAN eat the contents)
• Come up with AT LEAST 5 comparisons AND 5 contrasts for
the items in your bag.
• WRITE the comparisons and contrasts IN FULL SENTENCES
using the vocabulary on p. 126 in your book.
• You will share your comparisons and contrasts with the
class.
 Review
• When we compare we show similarities
• When we contrast we show differences
• A compare/contrast essay shows BOTH the
similarities AND differences between 2 things.
• When picking a topic for a C&C Essay you have to
pick 2 things that have both a lot in common and
a lot that is different so you have enough
similarities and differences to write about in an
essay
 2 Ways to Organize a C&C Essay
• Block Format
• OR
• Point-by-Point
 Block Method Introduction
• Provide background info about your topic
• Identify the 2 things you are comparing &
contrasting
• State WHY you are making the comparison &
contrast
• Thesis Statement!!!
 Block Method Body
• Body Paragraph #1 = Discuss ALL the
similarities
• Body Paragraph #2 = Discuss ALL the
differences
• (Note: 2 body paragraphs)
 Block Method Conclusion
• Restate the purpose for the comparison &
contrast
• Summarize the main similarities and
differences
• Draw a conclusion based on the information in
your essay
 Block Example
• “A Difficult Decision”
• P. 131
 Introduction
• Last week when I received acceptances from
my top two choices for college, State and
Greenwell, I knew I had a difficult decision to
make. Although I had talked to friends and
relatives who had attended both schools and
had visited both campuses many times, I
couldn’t make up my mind. It was only after I
analyzed the similarities and differences
between the two schools that I finally came to
my decision to begin classes at Greenwell in
the fall.
 Body Paragraph #1 - Similarities
• At first glance, it seems that State and Greenwell
have a lot in common. First of all, both
universities are located in Pennsylvania, where I
am from. The tuition is also exactly the same at
both schools - $30,000 per year. In addition, the
basketball team at State is just as good as the one
at Greenwell, and I would love to play for either
one. Most importantly, both schools have large
libraries, excellent academic reputations, and
first-class engineering departments.
 Body Paragraph #2 - Differences
• It was when I looked at the differences between the two schools that I
made my final decision. In terms of location, State is more attractive. Its
setting in a safe suburb was definitely more appealing than Greenwell’s
location in a dangerous city neighborhood. I also liked State’s older
campus with its beautiful buildings and trees more than Greenwell’s new
campus, which looks like an office complex. But I realized that these
should not be the most important factors in my decision. I had to pay a
lot of attention to the financial component. Although the tuition is the
same at both schools, Greenwell offered me an $8,000 scholarship,
whereas State couldn’t give me any financial aid. In addition, if I go to
Greenwell, I can live at home and save money on room and board. Since
Greenwell is much closer to home, I won’t have to spend as much time
on transportation to and from school. The most important factor in
making my decision was the difference in class size between the two
universities. State has large classes and an impersonal feeling. On the
other hand, Greenwell has small classes, and students get a lot of
personal attention.
 Conclusion
• In conclusion, after taking everything into
consideration, I think I made the right
decision. Since small classes, personal
attention from my professors, and saving
money are all very important to me, I will
probably be happier at Greenwell.
 Point-by-Point Introduction
• Provide background information about your topic
• Identify the 2 things you are going to compare &
contrast
• State the purpose for making the comparison &
contrast
• Identify the points to be compared and
contrasted
• Thesis Statement!
 Point-by-Point Body
• Paragraph 1 – compare or contrast the two things
according to the first point you identified
• Paragraph 2 – compare or contrast the two things
according to the second point you identified
• Paragraph 3 – compare or contrast the 2 things
according to the third point you identified
• (Note: 3 body paragraphs total)
 Point-by-Point Conclusion
• Restate the purpose for the comparison &
contrast
• Summarize the main similarities and
differences
• Draw a conclusion based on the information in
your essay
 Point-by-Point Example
• A Difficult Decision
• P. 132-133
 Point-by-Point Introduction
• Last week when I received acceptances from my top
two choices for college, State and Greenwell, I knew
I had a difficult decision to make. Although I had
talked to friends and relatives who had attended
both schools and had visited both campuses many
times, I couldn’t make up my mind. It was only
after I compared the location, cost and quality of
education of the two schools that I could finally
come to my decision to attend Greenwell.
 Point-by-Point Body Para #1 - Location
• The first thing I considered was the location. First
of all, both universities are located in
Pennsylvania, where I am from. But that is where
the similarities end. State’s setting is a safe
suburb is definitely more appealing than
Greenwell’s location in a dangerous city
neighborhood. I also like State’s older campus
with its beautiful buildings and gardens more
than Greenwell’s new campus, which looks like an
office complex.
 Point-by-Point Body Para #2 - Cost
• In addition to location, I had to pay a lot of
attention to the financial component. The tuition
is the same at both schools – $30,000 per year.
However, Greenwell offered me an $8,000
scholarship, but State couldn’t give me any
money. Also, if I go to Greenwell, I can live at
home and save money on room and board.
Finally, since Greenwell is much closer to home, I
won’t have to spend as much on transportation to
and from school.
 Point-by-Point Body Para #3 –
Quality of Education
• The quality of education at the two schools had the most
influence on my decision. In many ways, State and
Greenwell have similar standards of education. Both
schools have large libraries and excellent academic
reputations. Also, State has a first-class engineering
department, and so does Greenwell. So I had to look at
other things. What it came down to was the difference in
class size between the two universities. State has large
classes and an impersonal feeling. On the other hand,
Greenwell has small classes, and students get a lot of
personal attention.
 Point-by-Point Conclusion
• In conclusion, after taking everything into
consideration, I think I made the right
decision. Since small classes, saving money,
and personal attention from my professors are
all very important to me, I will probably be
happier at Greenwell.
 Your Turn
• Read the two example essays in the handout.
• One is in block format.
• The other is point-by-point.
• Answer the questions after each essay.
 Our Essays
• Pick ONE of the following writing prompts to develop into a
comparison and contrast essay:
• Discuss two kinds of music, such as classical and rock. A few points of
comparison might be artists, instruments, audiences, and popularity.
• Discuss going to the movies at the theater versus seeing a movie at
home. Points of comparison might be cost, screen size, and snacks.
• Discuss the similarities and differences between your two favorite
restaurants. Points of comparison might be type of food, cost, décor,
size, and distance from your house
• Discuss your high school experience versus your college experience.
Points of comparison might be class size, the types of people you
hang out with, how many friends you have, the types of classes you
take, the types of teachers you have, and how much homework you
have.
 It’s Pre-Writing Time!
• Complete ONE of the graphic organizers in
your essay planning packet to identify the
similarities and differences between your two
items.
• Determine if a block or point-by-point format
will work best.