Comparison and contrast essays

WEEK 5,6,7 – WRITING - LE PHUONG THAO THE COMPARISON AND CONTRAST ESSAY Introduction Comparison and contrast essays indicate the similarities and contrasts between two things The purposes are to determine the superiority of one thing over another, to persuade, to explain or to inform.Therefore, think of comparison and contrast as a method of development – not as a purpose for writing Notice: When you compare two places, situations, things or persons, there must be a basis of comparison It means they must have something basic in common We can not compare the river Nile and New York city How to write Thesis statement: In your thesis statement you should make it clear to the readers whether the essay is indicating the similarities or differences Organization A- Point by point: This kind of pattern is used for organizing the complex topics because the comparison or contrast is made clear throughout the essay PATTERN : Go on vacation : on a beach or in a city Thesis statement: The purpose of this essay is to contrast the differences between vacation at a beach or in a city a Differences about the kind of activities you are able to do: * At a beach: - Sailing, - Fishing, - Surfing * In a city: - Visiting museums, theaters, downtown, etc b Differences about the clothing and equipment you need to take with you: * Beach: - Bathing suit- Short- Short-sleeve shirts- Sunglasses, etc *City: - Jeans- Tennis shoes-Fancy clothes, etc (From the presentation of Group 4,7) B- All of one / All of the Other: This kind of pattern is used for organizing the simple topics because it is sometimes difficult to remind the readers in the second section of how the points compare/contrast with the points mentions in the first section PATTERN : Thesis statement: A Honda is abetter car than a Toyota A Honda a Cost of maintenance b Performance c Comfort A Toyota Cost of maintenance Performance Comfort Short Conjunctions Longer Expressions Similarly, Likewise, the same the same as also , too both In the same way, X is similar to Y in that (they) X and Y are similar in that (they) Like X, Y [verb] In like manner, One way in which X is similar to Y is (that) Another way in which X is similar to Y is (that) Short Conjunctions Subordinating Conjunctions However, In contrast, By contrast, , but , yet On the other hand, even though + [sentence] although + [sentence] whereas + [sentence] unlike + [sentence] while + [sentence] nevertheless, Similarities is similar to Example: Spring weather in Vancouver is similar to spring weather in Halifax both Example: Both Vancouver and Halifax have rain in the spring also Example: Halifax also has a rainy spring season too Example: Halifax too has a rainy spring season as well Example: As well, Halifax has rainy spring season Differences On the other hand Example: On the other hand, winter is much colder in Halifax however Example: However, winter is much colder in Halifax but Example: Vancouver has a mild winter, but Halifax has a cold one in contrast Example: In contrast to Vancouver, Halifax has a cold winter differs from Example: Halifax differs from Vancouver by having a cold winter while Example: While Vancouver has a mild winter, Halifax has a cold winter unlike Example: Unlike Vancouver , Halifax has a cold winter  ... Y is (that) Short Conjunctions Subordinating Conjunctions However, In contrast, By contrast, , but , yet On the other hand, even though + [sentence] although + [sentence] whereas + [sentence]... as well Example: As well, Halifax has rainy spring season Differences On the other hand Example: On the other hand, winter is much colder in Halifax however Example: However, winter is much colder... colder in Halifax but Example: Vancouver has a mild winter, but Halifax has a cold one in contrast Example: In contrast to Vancouver, Halifax has a cold winter differs from Example: Halifax differs