PARAGRAPHS THAT COMPARE AND CONTRAST
Comparison and contrast is a technique that we use every day. For example, we compare and contrast products and prices when we shop. An employer compares and contrasts applicants for jobs, and a job applicant compares and contrasts job offers.
In college classes, you will often have to compare and contrast. For example, in a history class, you might be asked to compare and contrast two historical figures or two events. In a literature class, you might have to compare two poems or two characters in a play. Knowing how to write comparison/contrast paragraphs is a very useful skill.
When we compare two (or more) things, we tell what is similar about them. When we contrast things, we tell what is different about them. Usually, the emphasis is on the differences, but sometimes a paragraph describes both similarities and differences.
Activity 1. Brainstorm ideas to compare and contrast. Then compare lists with your partner.
People: …………………and ………………
Places: ………………….and ……………...
Things: …………………and……………….
Reading and Analyzing. Sample Paragraph
Activity 2. Read the sample paragraph and answer the questions.
a. What two things does the paragraph talk about?
b. Is the paragraph mostly comparing or mostly contrasting?
Paragraph 1
Right Brain /Left Brain
The left and right sides of your brain process information in different ways. The left side is logical, rational, linear, and verbal. The right side, on the other hand, processes information intuitively, emotionally, creatively, and visually. Left brains think in words, whereas right brains think in pictures. People who depend more on the left side of their brain are list makers and analysts. They are detailed, careful, and organized. In contrast, right-brained people are visual, intuitive, and sensual. When a left-brained person has to make an important decision, he or she makes a mental list of all the factors involved and arrives at a decision only after careful analysis. When a right-brained person has to make the same decision, on the other hand, he or she is more likely to base it on intuition and feelings. For example, a left-brained automobile shopper will consider a car's cost, fuel efficiency, and resale value, whereas a right-brained shopper bases a decision on how shiny the chrome is, how soft the seats are, and how smoothly the car drives. Of course, no one is 100 percent left-brained or 100 percent right-brained. Although one side may be stronger, both sides normally work together.
Comparative and contrastive structures
Just as there are signal words and phrases that help your reader understand time order, there are also words and phrases that help your reader understand similarities and differences. As you read the following model, see if you can find these comparison/ contrast signals.
Two Varieties of English
Although U.S. English and British English are mutually understandable languages, there are quite a few differences. One difference is spelling. Some words are spelled one way in the United States but spelt another way in Great Britain. A person goes to a British theatre but to a U.S. theater. 5ln U.S. schools, students theorize, analyze and socialize, whereas British students theorize, analyze, and socialize. A second area of difference is vocabulary. For example, the word college names two very different types of schools in the United States and Great Britain – university level in the United States and pre-university level in Great Britain. Also, British university students live in halls on campus and in flats off campus, but U.S. students live in dormitories on campus and in apartments off campus. Finally, there are many differences in pronunciation. In Great Britain, the sound of a in the words path, laugh, aunt, plant, and dance is like the a in father. In the United States, in contrast, the a sound in the words is like the a in cat. All in all, though there are differences between the English spoken in the United States and the English spoken in the British Isles, we understand each other most of the time!
Activity 5. Answer the questions.
1. Underline the topic sentence. Does it indicate that the paragraph will discuss mostly similarities or mostly differences?
2. What comparison and contrast signals can you find? Circle them.
3. What other transition signals can you find? Put a box around them.
Using comparative structures
These words and phrases are used for writing comparisons
and The man and the woman are tall.
both Both of the tables have broken legs.
both …and Both my neighbour and I are selling our cars.
also The shops are closing for the bank holiday. The post office is also closing.
too Kathy is planning to go to the party, and I am, too.
neither…nor Neither Joe nor Steve went to the meeting last night.
similar to Their new computer is similar to the one my brother bought.
the same as Is the restaurant where you had dinner the same as the place where I ate last month?
(just) as + adjective + as His coat is just as warm as the more expensive one.
Likewise My parents were born in a small village. Likewise, my brothers and I also grew up in a small town.
similarly There are many parks to visit in that city. Similarly, there are several parks in my hometown, too.
Activity 7. Complete the following sentences.
1. Both in Tokyo and in _____ the art museums display many famous masterpieces.
2. Both overcrowded subways and ________ are problems in Tokyo and New York City.
3. You can buy designer clothes not only in boutiques but also__________.
4. New Yorkers and Tokyoites can not only see a movie but can also______ at any time.
5. In the summer, the weather in Tokyo and in New York is both hot and________.
6. The Ginza and Fifth Avenue shopping districts have both fine jewelry stores
And________.
Activity 8. Combine the ideas in the two sentences, using the comparison structure word in brackets. Punctuate your new sentences carefully.
1. Magazine and newspaper advertising information about new products to the public. Radio, television, and Internet ads tell the public what's new. (similarly)
Magazine and newspaper advertising information about a product to the public.
Similarly, radio, television, and Internet ads tell the public what's new.
2. Newspapers and magazines need advertising to pay their costs. Radio and television need advertising to pay their costs. (like)
3. The media reach millions of people around the world. The Internet reaches people everywhere. (similarly)
4. Most people read a daily newspaper. Most people listen to the radio or watch television every day. (just as)
5. Printed pictures are powerful advertising media. Video pictures are powerful advertising media. (equally)
