

Comparison: Shows the similarities
between two or more subjects
Contrast: Shows the differences between
subjects
Explains the similarities and differences
between subjects to make it more clear
 Evaluates the subjects in order to
establish advantages and
disadvantages, strengths, and
weaknesses
 Explanatory comparison does not take
position on the relative qualities of the
subject, where as the evaluation does

In putting together a comparison, a writer
needs to select subjects from the same
group
 Points of comparison: Breaks down subject
so the writer can compare
 For example: the comparison of diets:
points you may want to address would be
forbidden foods, allowed foods, speed of
weight loss, and nutritional quality
 This ensures direct comparison rather than
just listing random characteristics


Subject-by-subject; points of comparison
are grouped under each subject

Point-by-point: subjects of comparison
are grouped under each point

“For centuries, flesh and blood Indians
have been assigned the role of a
popular-culture metaphor. Today, their
evocation instantly connotes fuzzy
images of Nature…War-bonned
apparitions passed to football helmets or
baseball caps…”
*subject-by-subject organization*

“It was Mami’s family who were really
white. They were in terms of race, and
white also in terms of class. From them
came the fine features, the pale skin,
and lank hair.”
*point-by-point comparison*
Subject-by-subject
Harris’s Diet
speed of weight loss
required selfdiscipline
nutritional risk
Marconi’s Diet
speed of weight loss
required selfdiscipline
nutritional risk

Point-by-point
Speed of Weight loss
Harris’s diet
Marconi’s diet
Required Self-Discipline
Harris’s diet
Marconi’s diet
Nutritional Risk
Harris’s Diet
Marconi’s Diet


Thesis: look over your points of
comparison and decide whether they
suggest an explanatory or evaluative
approach
› Ask: Will you be emphasizing one subject
more than the other or both equally? And
will you emphasize differences, similarities, or
both?

Organizing:
› Subject-by-subject: better for short essays
comparing dominant impressions of the
subject
› Point-by-point: better for longer essays that
require emphasis on individual points
› If you are torn between the two, you may
combine them

Are your subjects drawn from the same class?
› Subjects must have notable differences and
similarities to make the comparison worth while

Does your essay have a clear purpose and say
something significant about the subject?
› The purpose should be evident or else the reader will
be easily bored


Be sure to apply all points of comparison to
both subjects
Clear organization is important, but variety in
the writing is nice too
1. Comparison shows the similarities between two
subjects while contrast shows differences
2. Used to explain the similarities and differences
between subjects to make them clear and to
evaluate the subjects to establish their
advantages and disadvantages, strengths,
and weaknesses
3. Make sure to apply all points of comparison to
each subject
4. Parallelism in your essay: the use of similar
grammatical structures for elements of similar
importance
5. Organization is key