Writing a Comparison / Contrast Paragraph

Comparison shows similarities between persons, places, things, ideas, or situations.

Contrast points out the differences between persons, places, things, ideas, or situations.

Useful phrases:
Comparison
 in the same way
 both… and
 similarly
 just like…
 in similar fashion
Contrast
 yet
 in contrast to…
 nevertheless
 after all
 but
 however
 although/though
 otherwise
 on the contrary
 unlike X…, Y is…
 on the one hand… on the other hand
 while X is…, Y is…

Two Basic Methods for Organizing Comparison / Contrast Paragraphs

1. If you let A and B stand for the two things (subjects) being compared, then you can
use the block method in which you tell all about A, then tell all about B. Thus you
discuss A in a block and B in a block.
2. If you let A and B stand for the two things (subjects) being compared, then you
compare them point by point. Every time you say something about A, you also
say something about B – right in the same sentence or in the sentence
immediately following.

The Topic Sentence

Your topic sentence should identify both items (subjects) to be compared or contrasted
and tell the reader exactly what you are going to say about these items (attitude).

The Body Once you have decided on a good topic sentence, list all the points of
comparison/ contrast that you can think of. Next, review the list and eliminate any points
which are irrelevant or unimportant. Now, organize your details in a logical sequence,
and begin your draft.
The Conclusion
The most effective conclusion for a comparison/contrast paragraph is usually a final
sentence, which reinforces the controlling idea.

A Good Example of the Block Method:

New York and Cairo have many similarities. For instance, New York is home to a
million of people and is one of the largest cities in the United States. In addition, the Big
Apple has a variety of ethnicities, races, and religions. New York also is a major center of
commerce for both the United States and the world and its restaurants serve the food of
many cultures throughout the globe. In comparison, Cairo is the largest population center
in Egypt and one of the largest cities on the planet. Like New York, Cairo attracts people
with many different beliefs, colors, and faiths. The city on the Nile also functions as a
major financial location and the food in its restaurants reflects the many tastes of the
world. Both cities are examples of the diversity and vitality of civilization at its best.

A Good Example of the Point-by-Point Method:

New York and Cairo have many similarities. For example, New York is home to a
million of people and is one of the largest cities in the United States while Cairo is the
largest population center in Egypt and one of the biggest metropolitan locations on earth.
The Big Apple is also a major center of commerce for both the United States and the
world and Cairo functions as a major financial center in Africa and the Middle East. The
restaurants of both locations serve the food of many cultures. Both cities are examples of
the diversity and vitality of civilization at its best.

A Good Example of the Block Method:

Students who have Mr. Jones and Mr. Smith are immediately aware of the difference in
the lecturing manner of each teacher. Mr. Jones has a pleasant voice, which helps hold
the interest of the students. He pronounces clearly in a rhythmic pattern emphasizing key
words. His moderate tone and inflected words make his lectures interesting. Mr. Jones
also adds humor to his subject, and he welcomes questions from students who don’t
understand the material. He takes his time and explains slowly. He tries to make sure that
his students understand a concept before he moves on to something new, and he is very
enthusiastic about his subject. Mr. Smith, on the other hand, has a different tone,
pronunciation, expression and attitude from Mr. Jones. He has a booming voice, which
commands rather than teaches, and sometimes it is hard to understand because he runs his
words together. His lectures are not as interesting as those of Mr. Jones, either, because
Mr. Smith speaks in a boring monotonous voice. He also hates to be interrupted; feeling
that he must cover everything. Mr. Smith teaches every class in a serious, determined
mood. Thus, as the above points illustrate, the lectures of Mr. Jones and Mr. Smith are
quite different.

A Good Example of the Point-by-Point Method:

Students who have Mr. Smith and Mr. Jones are immediately aware of the difference in
the lecturing manner of each teacher. Mr. Jones has a pleasant voice, which helps hold
the interest of the students. Mr. Smith, however, has a booming voice, which commands
rather than teaches. Mr. Jones pronounces clearly in a rhythmic pattern emphasizing key
words. On the other hand, Mr. Smith mumbles, running his words together. The moderate
tone and inflected words of Mr. Jones make his lectures more interesting than those of
Mr. Smith, who speaks in a boring monotonous voice. Mr. Jones also adds humor to the
subject, whereas Mr. Smith is always serious about each lesson. Mr. Jones welcomes
questions from students who don’t understand the material, as compared to Mr. Smith
who hates to be interrupted. Mr. Jones takes his time and explains slowly, whereas Mr.
Smith rushes through each lesson. Mr. Jones is very enthusiastic about his subject: he
tries to make sure everyone understands a concept before he moves on to something new.
Mr. Smith, however, is always in a determined mood; he feels that he must cover
everything. Each teacher has a different voice, tone, pronunciation, expression, and
attitude: and as a result, their lectures are quite different.

Topics:
- 2 places you have visited
- 2 perspectives (past/present) on a place you have visited
- 2 stages of a person’s life
- 2 restaurants/fast-food restaurants
- 2 cities
- a city and a small town
- 2 neighborhoods
- 2 holidays
- a real holiday and an ideal holiday
- 2 ways of breaking a bad habit
- a good boss and a bad boss
- 2 colleagues
- 2 schools/courses you attended
- 2 missions you have participated in
- 2 memorable professors
- 2 close friends
- reading the book vs. watching the movie