Marikina Polytechnic College
Sta. Elena, Marikina City
A Lesson Plan in ENG 111 – English for Study and Thinking Skills
Lesson: Method of Paragraph Development:
Comparison and Contrast
References:
Del Mundo, Lucila Cabrera and Belen Zabala de Asis.(2008).”Improving
Study, Thinking Reading and Writing Skills for College Freshmen”.Sta.
Cruz, Manila: Booklore Publishing corp.
Pablo, Eracem A.(2002).”Functional Text in English 1: Focusing on Study
and Thinking Skills and Effective Writing”.Cubao, Quezon City,
Metro Manila: Lorimar Publishing Co. Inc.
General objective:
Resource teacher: Mrs. Katherine R. Oliveros
Understand the use of comparison and contrast by following
instructions and cooperating in the classroom discussions and activities
Specific objectives

Describe the
similarities
and
differences of
the given
pictures
Procedure
a. Preparation
 Prayer
 Checking of attendance
 Review of the past lesson
 Motivation
The teacher will show 4 pictures to the class
and will ask the students to describe the
similarities and differences of those pictures.
Techniques/Strategies



Questioning
Brainstorming
Inductive
method
Materials

Pictures
Valuing

Give sample
sentences that
state
comparison
and contrast
b. Presentation of the topic
Comparison and Contrast
Comparison – points or emphasizes the
likeness or similarities between two persons,
objects or things, places and events
Contrast – points out or emphasizes the
differences between two persons, objects or
things, places and events
Comparison and Contrast – is a method that
is used to emphasize or discuss similarities or
differences between or among ideas,
theories, concepts, events and persons
Methods used in Comparison and Contrast
A. Alternating or Point-by-Point Method
– In this method, the writer
compares or contrasts two things
item by item.
B. Block Method – In this method, the
writer explains all the characteristics
of the first item together in a block
and
then
explains
all
the
characteristics of the second item in
a corresponding block.
C. Mixed
Comparison-and-Contrast
Method – All the points of similarities
of the two being compared are
explained first and then all the
differences later.
(sample paragraphs will be provided
by the teacher)
Transitional words and phrases or Signals
For Comparison:
compare, like, so, just as/as, too, parallel,
likewise,
resembles,
furthermore,
in



Lecturing
Discussion
Brainstorming


Visual aids
Hand-outs
 Realize that
having the
knowledge and
understanding
on how to
apply
comparison
and contrast
method of
paragraph
development
will help them
become better
writers

List the
similarities
and
differences of
two objects,
persons, or
ideas using
the Venn
diagram
comparison, equally, similar, moreover, in
the same way/manner, again, similarly, also
For Contrast:
on the contrary, despite, while, even though,
otherwise, on the other hand, instead of,
although, nevertheless, except for, in
contrast with, different from, though,
however, and yet, in spite of, whereas,
unlike, but, still
Steps for Writing the Comparison and/or
Contrast Paragraph
1. After choosing your two-part topic,
plan your topic sentence.
2. List all your ideas for points that can
be compared or contrasted.
(the teacher will suggest the use of
Venn diagram)
3. Then choose the three or four most
important points from your list.
4. Decide on what method you wanted
to use.
5. Write at least one complete sentence
for each of the points you have
chosen from your list.
6. Write a concluding statement that
summarizes the main points, makes
judgments, or emphasizes what you
believe is the most important point.
7. Finally, copy your sentences into
standard paragraph form.
c. Generalization
Comparison and Contrast is a method of
paragraph development that is used to
emphasize or discuss similarities or
differences between or among ideas,
theories, concepts, events and persons. The
patterns or methods used in writing a
comparison and/or contrast paragraph are
alternating or point by point, block and mixed
comparison-and-contrast.

Write a
comparison
and/or
contrast
paragraph by
following the
steps and
using one of
the patterns
or methods
for it.
d. Application
The class will be grouped into four. Each
group should accomplish the following task.
Writing the Comparison and/or Contrast
Paragraph Step by Step
Topic: Compare or contrast the life of a high
school student and the life of a college
student.
1. Topic sentence: ____________________
_____________________________________
___________________________________
2. Using the Venn diagram, list possible
comparison and/or contrast points for your
topic.
3. Choose three to four important points to
be used in your paragraph. Put them in order.
4. Decide on what pattern or method to be
used.
5. Write at least one sentence for each point
selected.
6. Write your concluding sentence.
7. On a separate sheet of paper, copy your
sentences into standard form. You may use
transitional words and phrases whenever
necessary.


Collaborative
and
cooperative
learning
Brainstorming
 Appreciate the
importance of
collaborative
and
cooperative
learning
activities to the
development
of their
confidence in
writing


Identify the
types of
pattern or
method
described in
the given
sentences
Identify the
types of
pattern or
method and
the
transitional
words or
phrases used
in the given
comparison
and/ or
contrast
paragraphs
e. Evaluation
Test I
Directions: Identify what methods or patterns
used in comparison and contrast are being
defined in the following sentences: (1 point)
___1. In this method, the writer explains all
the characteristics of the first item together
in a group of sentences and then explains all
the characteristics of the second item in a
corresponding group of sentences.
___2. All the points of similarities of the two
being compared are explained first and then
all the differences later.
___3. In this method, the writer compares or
contrasts two things item by item.
Test II
Directions: Identify the types of pattern or
method of comparison and contrast used in
the following paragraphs (2 points).
Underline the transitional words or phrases
used (1 point each).
A) No two persons ever react to the same
situation in the same manner. Take my
sister’s two sons, for instance. The elder one
is quiet and deliberate, when faced by a
difficult problem, talking all its aspects into
consideration and his decisions are always
the result of careful thought. Unlike him, his
younger brother never gives too much time
or thought to any one thing. When presented
with a problem, he always allows his first

worksheets
impulse to be his guide and, with complete
aplomb, he rushes straight to a solution with
only his instincts and impulses as his guide.
Method: ___________________________
B) As broad as their sounds are, there are
several very distinct similarities and
differences between electric and acoustic
guitars. For instance, both utilize the use of a
body for the neck to attach to and a neck
with frets for finger placement. The strings
attach to the lower end of the body and go all
the way to the head, or the top of the neck.
They both use strings that vary in gauge, or
size, which are vital to produce sound when
they are picked, hammered on, or strummed
as a group. Similarly, each is tuned in the
same manner to produce the proper tone
desired. An acoustic guitar needs no amplifier
to make its sound loud enough to be heard.
An acoustic guitar uses the body of the guitar
as its amplifier. Because the body is very thick
and hollow it is able to project its own natural
sound loudly. This makes it very portable and
capable of being played virtually anywhere.
An acoustic guitar doesn’t need any foot
pedals, volume and tone knobs, or any other
hardware like that to produce the sound it
makes. An electric guitar is very hard to hear
without an amplifier. An electric guitar
requires the use of an amplifier to transport
the sound though pickups that are secured in
the body. These sounds are transferred
through a cable connected to the guitar. The
cable then goes to the amplifier which
produces the sounds out of the speakers.
Volume and tone knobs on the electric guitar
can make it louder or change the sound of
the strings being played. Additionally, foot
pedals can be added to produce even more
different sounds so that the musical
capabilities of the electric guitar are almost
limitless. There’s not a lot of music that I
listen to that doesn’t have some sort of
electric or acoustic guitar in the mix, either as
the main instrument or as small as a fill in for
a certain sound. The genre of the music
frequently dictates which type of guitar
should be used.
Method: ___________________________
f. Assignment
Writing Paragraph Using Comparison and/or
Contrast Method
Directions: Choose a topic from the list
below. Modify it by adding appropriate
subjects (proper names) that you want to
compare and/or contrast. On a whole sheet
of yellow paper write a paragraph about it.
Be sure to follow the steps in writing a
comparison and/or contrast paragraph.
1. Two radio stations
2. Two TV stations
3. Two foreign singers
4. Two well-known fast food centers
5. Two famous Philippine cuisines
Prepared by:
Geraldine P. Pineda BTTE IV-D