  Comparison & Contrast Strategy   ENG 101: Professor Bailey-Kirby

What’s the purpose of Comparison & Contrast? TO RECOMMEND A CHOICE BETWEEN TWO THINGS : TO RECOMMEND A CHOICE BETWEEN TWO THINGS : The basic purpose of stating recommendations is to persuade readers to make a choice. The basic purpose of stating recommendations is to persuade readers to make a choice. By offering the distinctive characteristics between two competing products or campaign rivals and going beyond answering “How are things alike or different?” it advises the reader to make an educated choice. By offering the distinctive characteristics between two competing products or campaign rivals and going beyond answering “How are things alike or different?” it advises the reader to make an educated choice. TO DRAW DISTINCTIONS AMONG RELATED SUBJECTS: The basic goal of drawing distinctions is to inform readers of similarities and differences. When drawing distinctions, writer’s explain differences between similar subjects but do not choose one over the other.

Organizing Comparison & Contrast Papers When developing a paper using comparison and contrast, you must be sure your subjects share enough common points for meaningful discussion. When developing a paper using comparison and contrast, you must be sure your subjects share enough common points for meaningful discussion. In addition, comparisons have to be carefully limited, especially when comparing broad or complex subjects. In addition, comparisons have to be carefully limited, especially when comparing broad or complex subjects. Whether drawing distinctions or making recommendations, writers use two methods of organizing comparison and contrast essays: Subject-by-Subject or Point-by-Point. Whether drawing distinctions or making recommendations, writers use two methods of organizing comparison and contrast essays: Subject-by-Subject or Point-by-Point.

Subject-by-Subject The Subject-by-Subject method divides the paper into two sections. The Subject-by-Subject method divides the paper into two sections. The writer’s state all the information about topic A and then discusses topic B. The writer’s state all the information about topic A and then discusses topic B. Usually, the actual comparisons are drawn in the second part of the paper where B is discussed in relation to A. Usually, the actual comparisons are drawn in the second part of the paper where B is discussed in relation to A. For example: In a short paper about two types of life insurance, the writer first explains whole life insurance and then discusses “term” insurance and draws distinctions between the two types. Since the purpose is to make distinctions, the conclusion does not offer a recommendation. For example: In a short paper about two types of life insurance, the writer first explains whole life insurance and then discusses “term” insurance and draws distinctions between the two types. Since the purpose is to make distinctions, the conclusion does not offer a recommendation.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Subject-by-Subjec t The Subject-by-Subject is best suited for short papers. The Subject-by-Subject is best suited for short papers. A twenty-page report organized in this fashion would read much like two ten-page papers fastened together. It would be difficult for readers to remember enough of the first subject to appreciate how it differs from the second. A twenty-page report organized in this fashion would read much like two ten-page papers fastened together. It would be difficult for readers to remember enough of the first subject to appreciate how it differs from the second. This method, however, allows writers to compare abstract subjects with ease, especially when a subject has individual features the other does not share. This method, however, allows writers to compare abstract subjects with ease, especially when a subject has individual features the other does not share.

Point-by-Point The Point-by-Point organizes the comparison of A and B on a number of specific points. The Point-by-Point organizes the comparison of A and B on a number of specific points. Following an introduction, A and B are discussed in a series of comparisons. Following an introduction, A and B are discussed in a series of comparisons. Hotels, for example, have a number of common points: location, appearance, atmosphere, and room rates. Hotels, for example, have a number of common points: location, appearance, atmosphere, and room rates.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Point-by-Point The Point-by-Point method is useful in organizing longer and more technical or complex papers. The Point-by-Point method is useful in organizing longer and more technical or complex papers. The specific facts, statistics, and quotes about A and B appear side by side. The specific facts, statistics, and quotes about A and B appear side by side. Readers of a long report about two hotels organized in a subject-by-subject manner would be easily frustrated because instead of seeing room rates compared in the same paragraph, they might have to flip back a dozen pages. Readers of a long report about two hotels organized in a subject-by-subject manner would be easily frustrated because instead of seeing room rates compared in the same paragraph, they might have to flip back a dozen pages.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Point-by-Point Continued Point-by-Point organization is helpful when addressing multiple readers who may be interested in only a portion of the paper. Point-by-Point organization is helpful when addressing multiple readers who may be interested in only a portion of the paper. However, Point-by-Point papers about abstract subjects such as two films or two novels might be difficult to organize because many important details about one subject may have nothing in common with the other subjects. However, Point-by-Point papers about abstract subjects such as two films or two novels might be difficult to organize because many important details about one subject may have nothing in common with the other subjects.