Comparison and Contrast Essay Dr. Alan J. M. Haffa

Purpose of Comparison and Contrast A contrast draws out differences between two subjects A comparison outlines both similarities and differences between two subjects To demonstrate how one subject is superior in some way to the other To demonstrate how two subjects, which appear dissimilar, are actually similar Instead of judgmental, your purpose may be informational.

Method Brainstorm everything that you can think of for your two subjects Identify points that are relevant to both subjects Establish a dominant idea after examining your points of similarity and difference. This is the basis of your comparison/contrast. Select those you want to focus upon based upon the dominant idea Arrange them Make all of these choices subject to your purpose— what do you want to accomplish

Vertical or Horizontal Arrangement Vertically (Block): Treats all of the elements for each subject separately. Example: School A, point 1, School A, point 2, School A, point 3; School B, point 1, School B, point 2, School B, point 3. Horizontally (Alternating): Treats each element with respect to each subject sequentially. School A and B, point 1; School A and B, point 2; School A and B, point 3. If the comparison is short (a paragraph or two), then the vertical method is fine. Horizontal is usually preferable for longer comparisons; there is a risk that a vertical essay will sound like two separate essays weakly connected with a transitional paragraph or sentence.

Use of Indicators Good comparison or contrast essays feature the use of indicator words to convey to the reader at any given moment whether a comparison or contrast is being made and the nature of it. Similarity: likewise, the same as, too, also, similarly, in like manner Contrast: but, yet, however, nevertheless, on the contrary, contrary to, unlike, the opposite of

Rules of thumb with Comparison and Contrast essays Be sure to treat both subjects equally in terms of coverage Be sure to treat the same elements for each subject; do not treat of one element for one subject and not do so for the other! Use indicators to clarify what you are doing Decide either upon horizontal or vertical arrangement; do not mix. Have a clear purpose that your comparison/contrast achieves