PIE 2412 ACADEMIC WRITING

SEMESTER 2, 2019-2020

SUPLEMENTARY NOTES
(WEEK 5 – WEEK 6)

COMPARE AND CONTRAST

PARAGRAPH
 Supplementary Notes 2

Compare and Contrast Paragraphs

Purpose: A compare and contrast paragraph analyse the similarities and/or differences
between two things the reasons that a certain action or event occurs or the results, effects,
or consequences of an action.

Technique in writing of a compare and contrast paragraph:

Venn diagram

A B

Both A & B

Two circles that overlap (one side of a circle overlaps with one side of another); the outer
sides of the each circle highlight points unique to one item, where the middle section, which
forms an oval from the overlapping, highlights similarities between the two items.

How to write the topic sentence?

The topic sentence of your comparison/contrast paper is very important: it can help you
create a focused argument and give your reader a road map so she/he doesn't get lost in the
sea of points you are about to make. As in any paragraph, you will want to replace vague
reports of your general topic (for example, "This paragraph will compare and contrast two
pizza places," or "Pepper's and Amante are similar in some ways and different in others," or
"Pepper's and Amante are similar in many ways, but they have one major difference") with
something more detailed and specific. For example, you might say, "Pepper's and Amante
have similar prices and ingredients, but their atmospheres and willingness to deliver set
them apart.
Example (for a paragraph comparing the Canadian cities of Vancouver and Halifax)

While there are some similarities between Vancouver and Halifax, there are also some
differences, particularly in weather and population.

Or

Although Vancouver and Halifax are similar in some respects, they are quite different in
terms of climate and size.
Or

Vancouver and Halifax are similar in many ways, but they have one major difference:
weather.
Organization for Compare/Contrast Order
You can organise a compare/contrast essay in two main ways: "block" organization and
"point-by-point" organization.

Block Organisation
Write about the first item completely in the first body paragraph; then write about the other
item in the second body paragraph.  If you mention a particular point in the first paragraph,
you must mention the same point in the next paragraph, and in the same order. Don’t forget
your introduction and conclusion paragraphs. Your total number of paragraphs is 4.

Layout of a block organisation is shown below.

Block Arrangement (four paragraphs)

I. Introduction in which you state your purpose which is to discuss the differences
between vacationing in the mountains or at the beach

II. Mountain
A.  Climate
B.  Types of Activities 
C.  Location 

III. Beach
A.  Climate
B.  Types of Activities 
C.  Location 

IV Conclusion
.
 Point-by-Point Organisation
A second way to organize the essay is to discuss a particular point about item one and
then immediately to discuss the same point about the second item. Then, in the next
paragraph, you discuss another point about item one and then the same point about
item two. Finally, you discuss a third point about item one in the third body paragraph
and the same point with item two.  This is called point-by-point or alternating
arrangement. Don’t forget your introduction and conclusion paragraphs. Your total
number of paragraphs is 5.

Point-by-Point or Alternating Arrangement (five paragraphs)

I. Introduction in which you state your purpose which is to discuss differences between
vacationing in the mountains or at the beach

II. First difference between mountains and beaches is climate

A.  Mountains
B.  Beach

III. Second difference between mountains and beaches are types of activities
A.  Mountains
B.  Beach

IV. Third difference between mountains and beaches is the location

A.  Mountains
B.  Beach

V. Conclusion

Key Words for Compare and Contrast

The following words signal that two pieces are being compared:
also just as
as well as like
both most important
comparatively similarly
in the same way the same as
in addition too
The following words signal that two pieces are being contrasted:
although more than
besides nevertheless
but notwithstanding
compared with on the other hand
conversely otherwise
differ rather than
even though regardless
furthermore though
however unless
in contrast to unlike
instead while
less than yet

Sample sentences;
Similarities
is similar to Spring weather in Vancouver is similar to spring weather in Halifax.
Both Both Vancouver and Halifax have rain in the spring.
Also Halifax also has a rainy spring season.
Too Halifax has a rainy spring season, too.
as well As well, Halifax has a very rainy spring season.

Differences
on the other hand On the other hand, winter is much colder in Halifax.
however However, winter is much colder in Halifax.
but Vancouver has a mild winter, but Halifax has a cold one.
in contrast to In contrast to Vancouver, Halifax has a cold winter.
differs from Halifax differs from Vancouver by having a cold winter.
while While Vancouver has a mild winter, Halifax has a cold winter
Activity 1

Read the following compare-contrast paragraph. Answer the questions below.

High School and College

Even though high school and college are both places of learning, they differ in at least
three ways. The first difference between high school and college is their social
atmospheres. In high school the building is usually smaller, so most students know each
other. In addition, students in high school have the same six-hour 7:40 to 2:30 day, which
helps them to know one another better. At college people are constantly coming and
going, rarely seeing the same person twice in one day. The second difference between
high school and college is their policies about homework. In high school, homework is
usually. Knowing they have to submit assignments in algebra or history makes students
keep up with these subjects. In college most homework consists of just studying; very little
of it is written and turned in. If students do their homework, it is to their advantage; if they
do not, the teachers will not force them to. The student is only wasting his own money if
he neglects his course work. The third and last difference between high school and
college is their attendance policies. In high school, students must attend class or their
parents will be called. In college, students may skip classes if they choose and refer to the
syllabus to get missed assignments or tests. It is the student’s responsibility to make work
up. In spite of these differences between high school and college, they both serve the
same purpose — to prepare an individual for the real world.

1. What is the topic sentence of this paragraph?

___________________________________________________________________

2. Underline the concluding sentence.

Activity 2
Complete the following items and then write a compare-contrast paragraph.
1. First, choose a topic and then brainstorm ideas for that topic.
Here are some topics to choose from, or you come up with your own topic:
 Malaysia vs Your hometown
 Traditional vs Modern classroom
 Printed vs Online material

Your topic: ___________Malaysia vs. My home country__

2. Purpose statement:
To declare the similarities and dissimilarities of My home country and Malaysia
country.______
 3. Topic sentence with a controlling idea:
To compare Malaysia with Somalia in terms of higher education system.
___________________________________________________________________

4. Supporting details:
The system of universities
Management and curriculum
Students responsibility
___________________________________________________________________

5. Now, write your paragraph in the space below

The higher education system is a very vital and important among the world. But to
know the difference and the similarity of higher education system of Malaysia and
Somalia is remarkable. The Malaysian universities are old and great universities that
have been built many years ago, while the Somalia universities are mostly have been
built after 1990s except the Somalia national universities. Malaysia universities give
all levels of education such as Bachelor, master, PhD and post-doctoral, but Somalia
universities mostly give only bachelor and master degree. But both countries’
universities are similar in terms of curriculum, qualified teachers and the whole
system of higher education. The management systems of Malaysia universities are
trust board and the other managements of the universities, like that Somalia
universities are the same with that. Most of the universities of Malaysia focus
research issues and students must take more research than course work, conversely
Somalia universities focus their studies course work than research. However both
countries are struggling to develop their educational background.
( _168____ words)