Comparing

and
Contrasting
Opinions
What's In
You have already learned about multimodal texts in the previous module. Before you start
with the new lesson, try to recall the important concepts on the use of multimodal texts.
Now, you review and do the following activities.

Activity 1 Look at the brochure and infographic below

1.  What country is described in both multimodal texts?

2.  What differences are shown in the multimodal texts in promoting Malaysia?
3.  How is the idea presented in both multimodal texts?
Fill in the concept map with your descriptions of the similarities and differences of
each multimodal text presented in the previous page. Draw on a separate sheet of
paper the concept map below for your answer
What is It
In the last part of the module, you have observed that the concept map is used in the
previous activity to identify and present the similarities and differences of different
multimodal texts. To do that, comparing and contrasting is necessary to understand the
similarities and differences.

• The questions are:

• 1. What is comparing and contrasting?

• 2. Why do we need to compare and contrast?

• 3. How do we make an opinion from the similarities and differences

between things or ideas as guided by evidence?

This part of the lesson will help you better understand why and how to
compare and contrast through its discussion.
What is comparing
and contrasting?

 Comparing is the process of

looking at the similarities of two
things or ideas with the use of
appropriate transition signals.
 Contrasting is the process of
looking at the differences
between two things or ideas
with the use of appropriate
transition signals
Why do we
• We need to compare and contrast to identify the
similarities and differences between ideas.
Comparing and contrasting will help us better

need to comprehend the issues raised or points made in any

reading passage. These skills are most especially
useful when making a stand or giving opinions. By

compare identifying the similarities and differences between

ideas, we, as readers, are able to form our own

and
informed and evidence-based opinions.
• There are many ways to note and present
similarities and differences of any expository texts

contrast using non-linear texts such as graphic organizers.

The most commonly used graphic organizer is the

things and
Venn Diagram. From there, you can write
paragraphs to communicate similarities and
differences, and then your opinion.

ideas?
 Let us analyze how people express their opinions. Read the dialogue
below and answer the questions that follow.

To Pineapple or Not to Pineapple

Reina, Karen and Cecilia were in a pizza parlor, one afternoon. While they were at the counter, Reina
and Cecilia got into a discussion.

Cecilia: I like pineapple in my pizza. It balances the salty taste.

Reina: I honestly do not prefer pineapple on my pizza.
Cecilia: How come?
Reina: I just do not like pineapple on my pizza. Period. How did you love pineapple on pizza anyway,
Cecilia?
Cecilia: As I have said, it balances the taste. It even gives texture to the food. This is according to Chef
Emily of Emily and Emmy Squarred, which Chef Louis, a veteran chef and NYC pizza consultant agrees
with, as well.
Karen: Actually, you are both correct. As long as the pizza satisfies your hunger, it is still a pizza. So
what pizza flavor do you want us to order?
Cecilia and Reina: Pepperoni!
1. What were Cecilia and Reina arguing about?

2. Whose opinion do you agree with? Explain your answer.

3. Do you agree with Karen’s statement that both Reina and Cecilia
were correct?

Why or not why not? Prove your answer.

COMPARING AND CONTRASTING OPINIONS

In writing and speaking, formulating opinions could be challenging.

Evaluating the validity and credibility of evidences in an argumentation alone asks
for a lot of skills. However, as mentioned at the beginning of this lesson, learning
how other writers and speakers construct their arguments can help you in
developing your own style to convince your audience that you have sound ideas.

Learning how to compare and contrast others’ ideas can help you to be
critical and reflective on the kind of information you will feed yourself. However,
primarily, you should learn to evaluate someone’s claims first.

One way to evaluate others’ opinions is by identifying the persuasive

strategies used by the writer or speaker. Knowing these strategies not only helps
you formulate strong claims, but also helps you identify the weak ones.
 • Ethos, pathos, and logos are
three elements of persuasion

Persuasive identified by Aristotle, a

famous philosopher.
appealing to these three
By

Techniques elements, a speaker or writer

will increase his or her
chances of persuading an
audience.
 ETHOS
It is an appeal to the writer's credibility, ethics,
morals and character.

Persuasive
Techniques

PATHOS LOGOS
It is an appeal to the emotions of the
audience It is an appeal to logic and reason.
 When you evaluate an appeal to logos, you consider an argument based on facts,
evidence and reason. Using logos means appealing to the readers’ sense of what is logical.

When you evaluate an appeal to ethos, you examine how successfully the writer or
speaker appeals to the audience’s sense of ethical behavior. The writer or speaker presents
himself or herself to the audience as credible, trustworthy, honest and ethical.

Some of the questions you can ask yourself as you evaluate an author’s ethos may include
the following:
 Has the writer or speaker cited his/her sources or in some way made it possible for the
audience to access further information on the issue?
 Does he/she demonstrate familiarity with different opinions and perspectives?
 Does he/she provide complete and accurate information on the issue?

Lastly, pathos is making an appeal to emotions. Making people feel that they have a
connection with the topic at hand evokes certain emotions, beliefs and values.
 • uses logic or reason
•  states claim clearly
•  gives logical reason
• includesfacts,
statistics, researched
information

Logos
Example: "As a doctor, I am qualified to tell you that this course of treatment
will likely generate the best results considering all the symptoms, conditions
and options.”
 • c o n v i n c e s t h e audience that
he/she is credible
•  uses correct grammar
•  sounds as well -researched of the
subject matter

Ethos •  maintains formality

Example: "More than one hundred peer-reviewed studies have been

conducted over the past decade, and none of them suggests that this is
an effective treatment for hair loss."
 • appeals to audience’s
emotions
•  carefully chooses words
•  u s e s f i g u r a t i v e language

Pathos •  d r a w s e m o t i o n a l responses
to the audience as anger, guilt,
pity, etc.

Example: "There's no price that can replace peace of mind. Our advanced security systems
will protect the well-being of your family so that you can sleep soundly at night."
 Grammatical Markers in Comparing and Contrasting

Now that you know how to evaluate claims, it is important that you understand the
grammatical markers that you may use in contrasting and comparing these claims.

The following words or short phrases are used to compare two items or ideas:

like
as well as likewise
both also same
Resemble as similar to
Here is a short paragraph that uses some of these
expressions:

Time, like money, is a limited resource. You

cannot buy everything you want, likewise, you do not
have enough time to do everything you want to do.
Our time is the same as our money. It is limited. Also,
time is a resource when work needs to be done.
The following words or short phrases are used to contrast
two items or ideas:

unlike
in contrast to as opposed to

on the other hand different from

whereas
however
on the contrary
although
Learning Task : Go back to the argument between Reina and Cecilia Compare and contrast
the claims of the two friends using logos, ethos, and pathos. Write your answers in your
notebook using the table below.

To Pineapple or Not to Pineapple

Reina, Karen and Cecilia were in a pizza parlor, one afternoon. While they were at the counter, Reina
and Cecilia got into a discussion.

Cecilia: I like pineapple in my pizza. It balances the salty taste.

Reina: I honestly do not prefer pineapple on my pizza.
Cecilia: How come?
Reina: I just do not like pineapple on my pizza. Period. How did you love pineapple on pizza anyway,
Cecilia?
Cecilia: As I have said, it balances the taste. It even gives texture to the food. This is according to Chef
Emily of Emily and Emmy Squarred, which Chef Louis, a veteran chef and NYC pizza consultant agrees
with, as well.
Karen: Actually, you are both correct. As long as the pizza satisfies your hunger, it is still a pizza. So
what pizza flavor do you want us to order?
Cecilia and Reina: Pepperoni!
 Reina Cecilia

Logos

Ethos

Pathos
Learning Task : Read each sentence carefully. Identify whether the statements COMPARE or CONTRAST
ideas. Write your answer in your notebook.

_______________1. Ella had her hair done in style similar to mine.

_______________2. That bike has the same color as our car.

_______________3. I was hungry, but I was reluctant to eat, since I did not like what was on offer.

_______________4. I got an A in Math, and I am doing well in other classes, too.

_______________5. I ordered steak; however, chicken was served instead.

_______________6. I got my homework done despite the fact that I left my book at school.

_______________7. That story resembles one I read a year ago.

_______________8. Hank is six-feet tall, although his brother is only five feet.

_______________9. I eat meat, whereas my parents only eat vegetables.

______________10. My taste differs from yours, since I do not have sweet tooth.
Here is a short paragraph that uses some of these
expressions:

Unlike time or money, desire is an unlimited resource.

Think about it. In contrast to money which can run out,
your desire for new experiences and ideas will never end.
Whereas there is never enough time to do everything you
want, your desire will always come up with something new
and exciting.
• Learning Task : In your notebook, copy the paragraph below. Circle the grammatical signals used to
compare and contrast. Then, using a Venn diagram, compare and contrast the two birds.

The Cardinal and the Cedar Waxwing are two common birds. Both have
crests on their heads. But these birds have some differences. Male Cardinal is
bright red, while the Waxwing is brown. The Cedar Waxwing often migrates
from one place to another. On the other hand, the Cardinal stays in one place
year after year.
• Learning Task :

A school debate is a perfect venue to practice

learners’ skills in making a stand on an issue by
expressing statements intermingled with facts that
are selected to support certain opinions. Your task is
to go through a debate piece to identify pure
opinions by answering the questions that follow.
Write your answers in your notebook.
Debate Topic: Replacing textbooks with tablets in schools

Pro Debater: My personal view is that mandating to replace textbooks with tablets will be
beneficial since it poses little disadvantages. Tablets increase standardized test
scores. A research study, conducted in Auburn, Maine, showed that kindergarten
students using iPads scored much higher on literacy tests than students that did
not use the device. I think, this is the primary advantage of using tablets over
books.

Aside from that, tablets cost 50%-60% less than textbooks. According to the
FCC, the U.S. spends about $7 billion per year on textbooks, but many of them
are seven to ten years out of date. Advocates claim that using tablets instead will
save money and improve learning.

Personally, and practically speaking, tablets are lighter than textbooks, as

well. Between studying, homework, and extracurricular activities, going back to
school may make kids feel like they have the weight of the world on their
shoulders. And sometimes, they literally do. After you pile a lunch, school
supplies, binders, and textbooks—which typically weigh 3.5 lbs. each—into a
child’s backpack, the load he or she is lugging around could be huge … and
potentially dangerous. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission, at least 14,000 children are treated for backpack-related injuries
every year.
Questions:

1. What is the opinion of the debater on replacing books

with tablets? Identify words or phrases that reveal the
debater’s opinion/s about it.
2. What are the facts that the debater used to back up his/her
opinion? List them down.
3. Do you agree with the debater’s stand on the matter?
Justify your answer by citing factual evidence from the
speech itself or other additional reliable and credible
sources.