Comparison and Contrast
After you decide what subjects to compare or contrast
, you need to select the points you want to discuss
reason to use comparison and contrast
To show that one thing is superior to another thing
Reasons for writing comparison/contrast essays
To show that two things people normally think of as being similar are actually different, to show that two things people normally think of as being different are actually similar
what is often used to explain something "unfamiliar, abstract, or complicated" by comparing it to something that is better known
analogy
Correct the error/errors Use your basis of comparison to guide your selection of points, and arrange these points in any order, usually in order of their decreasing significance
arrange these points in some logical order, usually in order of their increasing significance
Before you can compare or contrast two things, you must be sure what exists
basic of comparison
A comparison should lead
beyond the obvious
What does the body do?
choose the method of organization, support with specific details
what do many people use to refer to likeness and differences
compare
in comparison, when should you make a point about one subject and then follow it with a comparable point about the other subject
first
Analogy
form of comparison/contrast
What does the introduction include?
identify the subject, explain the basis of comparison/contrast, state purpose and limits
when your purpose is to emphasize overall similarities and differences
in general, you should use subject-by-subject comparison
three steps in producing a Draft
introduction, body, conclusion
what are the methods of organization
point by point, subject by subject
contrast
shows how two or more things are different are different
Your thesis statement should list
the points of comparison/contrast in the order in which they will be discussed in the essay
the thesis statement identifies the subjects to be compared/contrasted and
the points you will make about them.
basis of comparison
the two things have enough in common to justify a comparison
why should you try to avoid the common error of discussing entirely different elements for each subject
this obscures any basis for comparison that might exist
In a subject-by-subject comparison, you essentially write a separate essay about each subject, but you discuss the same points for both subjects.
true
what should the thesis statement tell the reader
what to expect in your essay
when should you use point-by-point comparison
when your purpose is to emphasize individual points of similarity or difference
Your thesis statement should indicate whether you will concentrate on similarities or differences or both
whether you will concentrate on similarities or differences or both
When you compare and contrast, make sure
you treat the same elements for each subject you
how do you select the points you want to discuss
your emphasis—on similarities, differences, or both—and the major focus of your paper.
