Comparison and

Contrast Pattern
 What is a Writing Pattern?

 A writing pattern is a specific way of organizing

ideas to convey a certain type of argument.
 The writing pattern of an author will vary based
on the desired purposes.
• Comes from the Latin word "comparare" which means to
liken or to compare.

• Comparing things means pointing out their similarities, or

what they have in common.
• Is derived from Latin words "contra" and "stare“ which
means against and to stand. In Middle English, contrast was
used for meanings like "to fight against” or to "withstand" in a
battle.

• Contrasting things mean pointing out their differences, or where

they diverge from one another.
 COMPARISON AND CONTRAST

Comparing and contrasting is usually

done to describe the characteristics of
two related things or ideas.
That story resembles the one I
read a year ago.

That story, unlike the one that I read

a year ago, is boring.
A comparison and contrast pattern organizes
ideas based on how events, places, people,
things, and concepts are similar to or different
from one another.
In a compare and contrast pattern, ideas can
be organized in two different ways:
1. separately, which involves describing one
item first followed by the second item
2. side-by-side, which means discussing both
items based on each point of comparison.
Most important parts of a comparison-contrast pattern:

the purpose of comparison

the actual similarities

the points of
and differences of the
comparison items being compared.
Consider utilizing a Venn diagram or a
comparative/contrast matrix to enhance
comprehension of the compare and contrast
pattern.
Signal Words for
Comparison and
Contrast
 Signal Words for Comparison
also equally in the same similarly
way
in a similar
as fashion like to compare

in
both comparison likewise
 Signal Words for Contrast
although despite instead otherwise

and yet even so however still

as opposed to even though nevertheless the fact remains

but in contrast nonetheless unlike

conversely in spite of on the contrary whereas

counter to on the other hand yet

 GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS FOR
COMPARISON AND CONTRAST
COMPARISON-CONTRAST
MATRIX
VENN DIAGRAM TOPIC I TOPIC II
DIFFERENCES DIFFERENCES

SUB TOPIC  COMPONENTS  COMPONENTS

SIMILARITIES
SUB TOPIC  COMPONENTS  COMPONENTS

SUB TOPIC  COMPONENTS  COMPONENTS

 An example illustrating the
concept through the use of a Venn
diagram
 PRAWNS
• Prawns have branching
gills.
• Both prawns and
• Prawns are
typically larger than
shrimps.
• Prawns are decapod
crustaceans belonging to
the sub-order
Dendrobranchiata.
SHRIMP
• Shrimp feature lamellar
gills, which are plate-like
in structure.
shrimp have a thin
• Shrimp are generally
exoskeleton and their
smaller than prawns.
bodies are divided into
three main segments:
the head, thorax and
abdomen. • Shrimp are decapod
crustaceans
belonging to the sub-
order Pleocyemata.
An example illustrating the
concept through the use of a
Comparison and contrast
matrix
 SOCCER HOCKEY

 Black and white ball  Puck

Equipment  goal  Stick
 goal

 Cleats  Helmet
 Shin guards  Skates
Clothing  Padded jersey
 Jersey and shorts
 Goalie’s face mask

Played on  Grass field  Ice rink

(venue)
POST ACTIVITY:
Spot the signal words that indicate a
comparison-contrast pattern. Then, note
down the important details in the text
using a graphic organizer.
Are you not sure yet which phone to buy? To help you
decide, this review will inspect the basic similarities
and differences of the flagship phones of two giant
companies: Apple’s iPhone 6 and Samsung’s Galaxy
S5. Both brag to be the best smart phones in the
market to date. While these state-of-the art phones
have similarities in the form of their sleek design,
multi-touch touch screen, and multimedia features,
they have their distinctive features as well.
First, Galaxy S5 has a larger screen at 5.1 inches as
compared to iPhone 6’s 4.7 inches. As for the
operating system, iPhone 6 uses iOS (8.x) while S5
uses Android (5.0, 4.4.2). In terms of camera, S5 has a
2.1-megapixel front-facing camera which is higher
than iPhone 6’s 1.2 megapixels. Unlike S5, iPhone 6’s
battery is not user-replaceable and has a shorter talk
time, but when it comes to built-in storage, iPhone 6
outperforms S5. Now that you know the basic
differences of the two phones, you can decide!
Determine whether the statement is making a comparison or
a contrast.
1. I eat meat, whereas my parents are vegetarians.

2. Jenny had her hair done in style similar to Daisy.

3. Both Alyssa and Gigi are good at solving math equations.

4. Marc Jun is good at dancing, as well as Moises.

5. Despite their exhaustion over the last few weeks, the STEM-
Force students managed to remain positive.