Do I want
this car … ?
… or do I
want that
other
car?
Do I want to visit
Egypt on my
next vacation … ?
… or do I want
to go to Las
Vegas?
Do I want to eat
something
healthy… ?
… or do I want
something
bad?
WHAT IS A
COMPARISON AND
CONTRAST ESSAY?
Comparison: point out the
similarities between two different
things.
Contrast: point out the differences between two
similar things.
SOOOOOOOOOO;
 In a compare and contrast essay, you should
write either the similarities or the differences
between two things.
 You should define your purpose before you
start writing
Are you going to compare?
Are you going to contrast?
Topic: Deciding which airline to fly
Purpose: To convince the readers to just choose the
least expensive one because airlines are basically the
same.
Is it a comparison or contrast?
Comparison
Topic: Deciding which airline to fly
Purpose: To explain how your choice will
make the difference between a good trip
and a bad one
Is it a comparison or contrast?
Contrast
I. Introduction
II. First point
A. Explanation of how this point relates to the first item
B. Explanation of how this point relates to the second item
III. Second point
A. Explanation of how this point relates to the first item
B. Explanation of how this point relates to the second item
IV. Third point
A. Explanation of how this point relates to the first item
B. Explanation of how this point relates to the second item
V. Conclusion
INTRODUCTION
*Begin
with a broad, general
statement of your topic
*Narrow it down to your thesis
statement.
*Broad general statements ease
the reader into your thesis
statement by providing a
background for it.
Look at the following example!
“For women shopping can be a pleasant and fun
experience, especially when they see a sale on an item
that they have wanted to buy. I think it is a little different
for men because some men find it boring, and they hate
to walk through a crowded mall. Females are very
indecisive when it comes to shopping because they can't
make up their minds about what they want to get. Males
know what they want and pick only that item up. Ladies
can take hours getting one item while men can get five
items in 20 minutes or less. Women spend a lot more
money than men when they shop because they want
everything they see. Men and women are so different
when shopping is concerned.”
BODY
*Thesis statements are extremely important because they will
organize and outline the ideas for your BODY PARAGRAPHS.
*The three parallel structures will serve as the basis for your three
paragraphs in the body.
*This way, the first item of the parallel structure will be the topic in
the first paragraph,
*the second item will be the topic in the second paragraph, *and
the third item will be the topic in the third and the last paragraph of
the body.
*In any given essay writing, once you write an effective thesis
statement, the body of the paragraph will fall into place
automatically... in the thesis statement you plan the order and
sequence of your essay. For example,
1st
Body
The first thing which makes the men and the
women in terms of shopping is that women are
indecisive while shopping, and men aren't. A women can
go into a store with every intention on getting one item,
but she sees all the cute things lying around the store
saying "buy me." For that reason, she feels compelled to
buy other items within the store. That is why a woman
can be very indecisive. When a man says that he is going
to get one thing from the store, it's a guarantee that he
will come home with that one item because things don't
scream
out
at
him,
"buy
me".
2nd
Body
Besides thier way of deciding, a female can take a
lot longer time to shop than a male does. For some
reasons, a lady has to look at everything which she finds
appealing to the eye. I know when I go shopping for a
pair of jeans, I end up with a shirt and a cute pair of
shoes to match. Normally to buy something may take 20
minutes, but it may become 2 hours for women. A man
just doesn't seem to notice things as a woman. Or
maybe it is because a man just doesn't care. In any case,
when a male says he will be back in 20 minutes from
shopping, he will be back in 20 minutes or less.
3rd
Body
The last but not the least difference is that a
female normally spends more money than a male. Most
females want everything to be name brand regardless of
the cost of the item. A male doesn't care too much if it
has Nike or Adidas logo on it or not. All he cares about is
whether or not it does the job. On the other hand, one
thing I have noticed about a man is his tools. He will
spend a lot of money on name brand tools.
CONCLUSION
A concluding paragraph is your chance to remind
the reader of your thesis. Also, the conclusion brings the
paper to a natural and graceful end, sometimes leaving
the reader with a final thought on the subject. For
example,
LANGUAGE FOR COMPARING AND
CONTRASTING
For comparing;
In the same way,
Cars are an important means of transportation. In the same way,
planes are also important.
Similarly,
Cars are an important means of transportation. Similarly, planes are
also important.
Like ……,
Like cars, planes are an important means of transportation.
Both A and B….
Both cars and planes are important means of transportation.
Neither A nor B …..
Neither my friends nor my family were with me in my birthday.
FOR CONTRASTING;
On the other hand,/ In contrast,
With your friends, you can use body language to communicate. On the
other hand/ In contrast, online friends must rely on written words.
Unlike A….,B….
Unlike face to face friends, online friends must rely on written words.
While/ Whereas A…….., B…….
While/Whereas you can communicate with your friends using body
language, online friends must rely on written words.
YOU CAN ALSO USE;
Comparatives
happy – happier than
Complicated – more complicated than
happily – more happily than (adverb)
Good- better
Bad – worse
Fun – more fun than
INTENSIFYING COMPARISONS
You can use these to make meaning more complex;
Somewhat/ considerably/ much/ far/ significantly
The matter is somewhat/ considerably/ much/ far/
significantly more serious than this.
The condition of the house is somewhat/ considerably/
much/ far/ significantly better than I expected.
TRANSITIONS FOR THE BODY
PARAGRAPH;
The (first) notable difference/ similarity is….
To give another difference/ similarity, + sentence
Yet another difference/ similarity is …….
Comparing….., we notice another difference/
similarity. (which is …..)