Chapter 13 Comparison and Contrast: Showing Similarities and Differences-Final

Chapter 13 Comparison and Contrast: Showing Similarities and Differences

Writing Comparison and Contrast

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Defining Comparison and Contrast

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Comparison and contrast is a method of showing similarities and differences between subjects. Comparison is concerned with organizing and developing points of similarity; contrast serves the same function for difference. In some instances, a writing assignment may require that you cover only similarities or only difference. Occasionally, and instructor may ask you to separate one from the other. Usually, you will combine them within the larger design of your Paragraph or essay.

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Working with the 4 Ps

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Regardless of nature of your topic for writing, you will develop your ideas by using a procedure called the 4 Ps: purpose, points, patterns, and presentation.

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Purpose

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In most of your writing, the main purpose will be either to inform or to persuade.

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Informative writing

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If you want to explain something about a topic by showing each subject in relationship with others, then your purpose is informative.

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Persuasive Writing

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If you want to show that one actor, one movie, one writer, one president, one product, or one idea is better than another, your purpose is persuasive.

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Points

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The points are the ideas that will be applied somewhat equally to both sides of your comparison and contrast. They begin to emerge in freewriting, take on more precision in brainstorming, acquire a main position in listing, and assume the major part of the framework in the outline.

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Using listing as a technique for inding points is simple.

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1. Select one side of your two-part subject (the side you know better) and compose a list in relation to a basic treatment you expect to extend to your comparative study.

2. Make a list of points (about Hitler as a fascist dictator).

3. Decide which points can also be applied in a useful way to the other subject, in this case, mussolini. (You can also reverse the approach.)

4. Select the points for your topic sentence or thesis.

5. Incorporate these points into a topic sentence or thesis. (Your final topic sentence or thesis need not specify the points.)

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Patterns

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Now you willl choose two basic pattern of organization: (1) subject by subject (opposing) or (2) point by point (alternating). In long pagers you may mix the two patterns, but in most college assignments, you will probably select just one and make it your basic organizational plan.

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Presentation

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The two patterns of organization-subject by subject and point by point-are equally calid, and each has its strengths for presentation of ideas.

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Practicing Patterns of Comparison and Contrast

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Shorter sompositions such as paragraphs are likely to be arranged subject by subject, and longer simpositions such as essays are likely to be arranged point by point, although either pattern can work in either length. In longer works, especially in published writing, the two patterns may be mixed.

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Source:Brandon, Lee. Brandon, Kelly. Paragraphs and Essays with Integrated Readings,eleventh  Edition. Boston, NY: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2011