COMPARE & CONTRAST PARAGRAPHS

MA. HOANG NU MINH CHAU

What is a Compare & Contrast Paragraph?
▪ A compare & contrast paragraph looks at the similarities and/or differences of
two people or two objects.

▪ In a compare & contrast paragraph, there must be some relation, some

common ground between the two elements.

▪ When making comparisons or contrasts, it is important to be clear

what criteria you are using.

Ex: Aaron is tall and strong. In contrast, Bruce is handsome and very intelligent.

 Unclear criteria

▪ You can decide to focus on comparing or contrasting, or both, as your main

strategy.
Brainstorming and Outlining

▪ Make a list of similarities and differences between two subjects.

Venn diagram
Brainstorming and Outlining

▪ Make a list of similarities and differences between two subjects.

▪ Decide what criteria you want to focus on in comparing the items.

o What’s interesting, relevant and informative?
o What matters to the argument ?
o What’s basic or central ?
o What’s more important - similarities or the differences?

▪ Choose the type of organization for your paragraph:

o Block Method
o Point-by-point Method
Brainstorming and Outlining

Subject A
Point 1 Point 2 Point 3

Subject B
Point 1 Point 2 Point 3
 Block Method
My life now and my life five years ago are similar but there are also some
major differences. Five years ago, I was living in Havre and going to high school. I
didn’t have to work because my parents supported me. I went to school everyday and
spent time with my friends. I babysat my nieces everyday after school because both of
my parents were working at the time. I had the responsibility of feeding them and
making sure nothing happened to them while I was watching them. I didn’t really have
any major goals five years ago. I wasn’t really thinking about my future quite yet. On
the other hand, now I live in Great Falls and I’m not in high school anymore. I have
to work now in order to support myself. I only work twenty hours a week because I’m
in school right now. I have a lot more responsibility now than I did five years ago. I
have to take responsibility for myself now and everything that I do. I have a lot of
major goals now. For instance, I want to graduate and get my two year degree. I want
to come back and get a bachelor’s degree. I have a lot of things that I want to
accomplish now.
Brainstorming and Outlining

Point/ Reason 1
Subject A Subject B

Point/ Reason 2
Subject A Subject B

Point/ Reason 3
Subject A Subject B
 Point-by-point Method
The left and right side of your brain process information in different ways.
The left side is logical, rational, linear, and verbal. The right side, on the other hand,
processes information intuitively, emotionally, creatively, and visually. Left brains
think in words, whereas right brains think in pictures. People who depend more on the
left side of their brain are list makers and analyst. They are organized, careful and
detailed. In contrast, right-brained people are visual, intuitive, and sensual. When a
left-brained person has to make an important decision, he or she makes a mental list of
all the factors involved and arrives at a decision only after careful analysis. When a
right-brained person has to make the same decision, on the other hand, he or she is
more likely to base it on intuition and feelings. For example, a left-brained
automobile shopper will consider a car’s cost, fuel efficiency, and resale value,
whereas a right-brained shopper bases a decision on how shiny the chrome is, how
soft the seats are, and how smoothly the car drives. Of course, no one is 100 percent
right-brained. Although one side may be stronger, both sides normally work together.
Brainstorming and Outlining

Complete an outline

Topic Sentence - Topic + Main focus

Supporting Sentences - Block Method

- Point-by-point Method

Concluding Sentence - Restate the topic sentence

- Give opinion
Transition Signals
Comparison likewise, similarly, comparatively, correspondingly,
transitions identically, similar, moreover, together with, in the
same way, either …or…, in like manner

Contrast conversely, instead, on one hand, on the other hand,

transitions on the contrary, rather, yet, but, however,
nevertheless, in contrast, unlike

Example for example, for instance, illustrated with, as an

transitions example, in this case, chiefly, markedly, namely,
including, specifically, such as