We use methods of comparison and contrast every day. These
methods are used to decide a wide range of situations, such as
where we want to live, what friends or clothes to select, and
even what sports team to support. As a technique of essay
writing, comparison and contrast takes similar or different
things and studies them. In other words, comparison shows
likenesses between things; whereas contrast shows their
differences. It is not enough, however, to merely sight
similarities or differences. The writer of such a paper should
not just state the differences between high school and college.
He or she should show why these differences are important,
unusual, or startling. The thesis of the essay must show a
purpose for the comparison and contrast, and the rest of the
paper should support that purpose.
PRINCIPLES
There are several principles of comparison and contrast
writing that writers need to keep in mind.
FIRST, they must select a topic properly. Any topic for
comparison/contrast should be worth writing
about and be relevant. Consider, for example,
the uselessness of comparing two soft drink
bottles. Most readers would respond with, "Who
cares?"
SECOND, no one paper can compare and contrast any topic
entirely, and if it could its purpose would be
meaningless. Instead, the general thrust of the
paper should be either comparison or contrast.
If, for instance, a paper is primarily a
contrast paper, then comparisons between the
topics appear early in the paper. Then follow
with the contrasts.
THIRD, comparison and contrast often incorporate other
techniques or modes. A writer often may need to
rely in part on narration, description, or
definition.
CONVENTIONS
1. Knowing your interests may be helpful when selecting topics
for comparison/contrast. If you are interested in biology, then
you may want to compare different species. But if you are not
interested, avoid such a topic.
2. Comparison and contrast papers are organized in one of the
following patterns.
Parallel pattern - In using this pattern, the author says all
he or she has to
Topic A
quality
quality
quality
Topic B
quality
quality
quality
Point by Point - This method organizes by quality, not topic
Quality __
Topic A |
Topic B |--> A & B in one paragraph
--
Quality __
Topic A |
Topic B |--> A & B in one paragraph
--
When using this method, the writer must keep the same order of
topics in each paragraph. He or she should not, for example,
cover topic A first in one paragraph and topic B first in
another.
Sentence by Sentence - This method is very similar to the
point by point method. It differs, however, in that in each
paragraph on a particular quality the sentence alternate between
topics.
Quality __
Topic A |
Topic B |--> in one paragraph
Topic A |
Topic B |
--
Quality __
Topic A |
Topic B |--> in one paragraph
Topic A |
Topic B |
--
3. Make a concerted effort to use effective transitions between
points. You might find some of these words helpful: on one
hand, similarly, nevertheless, consequently, however, moreover,
furthermore, conversely, the fact that, neither...nor,
either...or, hence, while, yet.
4. Remember that one of the purposes of comparison and contrast
is to inform. Poor topic choice or poor organization will
distract instead of inform.
STRATEGIES
1. Clarify a complex topic by comparing or contrasting it with
one easily understandable to the reader. For example, you might
want to compare learning to write (complex topic) with learning
to ride a bicycle (easily understood). You could develop the
paper by paragraphs which prove that like writing, biking has
definite rules, steps, fallbacks and skills.
2. Answer a present sociological or historical issue by
comparing or contrasting your solution to solutions tried in the
past.
3. Be sure to back up your comparison or contrast with enough
examples to make your purpose clear and logical.
4. Check your organizational pattern. Be sure to stick to one
pattern; it is confusing to the reader to mix patterns.
5. The conclusion of a comparison and contrast paper should not
be merely a summary of the points you have already made. In the
conclusion you can reiterate the relevance, propose an action,
stimulate the reader or make a generalization. All of these
strategies, among others, conclude instead of summarize.
Adapted and revised by the Washburn University
Writing Center from one originally prepared by the Purdue
University Writing Lab, West Lafayette, IN in 1982.