English 1010

Session Five“The Compare & Contrast Essay”

Longman p 298 -299

What is comparison and contrast?

• Comparison shows how two or more things are similar

• Contrast shows how two or more things are different

• In most writing situations, the two related processes are used together

Prewriting and Strategies for Writing

Prewriting and Strategies for Writing

• Be sure your subjects are at least somewhat alike – “apples to oranges” rather than “apples to Volkswagens”

• Stay focused – develop only those details that relate to the topic at hand

• Form a strong thesis – identify if you are comparing similarities, differences or both

Prewriting and Strategies for Writing

• Select strong points to be discussed – use items that prove your point

• Select the appropriate pattern – “One side at a time” – this is where you present all

your facts about one item then all about the other and finish with a conclusion

– “Point/Counter-point” – you compare your topics one characteristic at a time and finish with a conclusion

• Supply the reader with solid transitions

Compare and Contrast – Sample Topicsand Use of the Venn Diagram

Compare and Contrast

Labradoodle Badger

Compare and Contrast

Labradoodle   Badger

Domestic Animal Wild

Gentle/Playful Temperament Vicious

DefinitelyPossibility

as a Pet No Way

Using the Venn Diagram for Graphic Comparisons

Labradoodle Badger

AnimalDomestic

Good Pet

Gentle

Wild

Vicious

Poor choice for a pet

Compare and Contrast

Compare and Contrast

Similarities• Both are popular

beverages• Both can be with or

without caffeine• Both have multiple

varieties• Both are American-

based companies

Differences• Coca Cola is a

carbonated beverage• Starbucks has product-

specific retail outlets• Coca Cola is not

commonly served hot; Starbucks comes both hot & cold

Using the Venn Diagram for Graphic Comparisons

Coca Cola Starbucks

Served cold

CarbonatedServed hot or cold

Retail Outlets

Popular beverage

W/ or W/out Caffeine

USA based company

Many Varieties

Compare and Contrast

Compare and Contrast

Barrack Obama   Rush Limbaugh

President of the United States Public Figure Radio Personality

Large following Popularity Large following

Democratic Political Party Republican

Moderate Liberal Political Views Harsh Conservative

YesPassionate for

his country Yes

Using the Venn Diagram for Graphic Comparisons

Barrack Obama Rush Limbaugh

Passionate

Popular

Political

US President

Liberal

Democrat

Radio Personality

Republican

Conservative

Compare and Contrast

Darth Vader Luke Skywalker

Compare and Contrast

Darth Vader   Luke Skywalker

Topic

Topic

Topic

Topic

Topic

Using the Venn Diagram for Graphic Comparisons

Darth Vader Luke Skywalker

Your Assignment

• Compose a 3-5 page compare/contrast essay on a topic of your choice– It is suggested (but not required) that your essay relates to

your program of study• The essay should be double spaced in 12 pt. Arial or

Calibri font with standard margins• There should be no “Title Page” for this assignment.• If you use any outside sources of information, you

must document these sources using MLA style and provide a list of sources at the end of the paper.