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Nexus resource
Comparison writing
Key features and writing framework
Subject:
English
Age groups:
8 – 11, 12 – 14, 15-16, 17 - 18
Topic:
Non-fiction genres
Licence information | This resource is free to use for educational purposes. ©British Council 2014
Source | This resource was originally developed by Charlotte Hurley and has been adapted by EAL
Nexus.
Comparison
The items or topics to be compared are introduced in the first
paragraph
Paragraphs begin with topic sentences to introduce the similarities
and differences
Topic sentences are followed by elaboration to give more
information about the point being made
The last paragraph summarises the points
Comparative adjectives are used
The comparison is written in the present tense. It is written in the
past tense when comparing items/ subjects from history.
Words and phrases that introduce additional points may be used:
‘Furthermore…’, ‘Also…’ ‘In addition…’ ‘Another similarity is…’ ‘A
further difference is…’
Words and phrases that introduce contrasting points may be
used: ‘However…’, ‘on the other hand…’ ‘In contrast…’
©British Council 2014
Comparison writing framework
Purpose: To show similarities and differences of two or more items
Beginning - An
introduction to the
topic and the subjects
to be compared
Middle - either of the
following:
A) Two paragraphs- the
first with all of the
similarities between the
subjects followed by a
paragraph detailing all
the differences
B) A series of
paragraphs showing a
number of similarities
and differences
grouped together by
area of comparison
In both, paragraphs
begin with topic
sentences and points
are backed up with
evidence (e.g.
examples, statistics,
quotations)
Ending – summary of
the main points and
evaluation
©British Council 2014