1. Comparison and Contrast
Lesson 8

2. Theme?
Culture

3. Watch the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8pbmbfeoHs
What are the views expressed?

4. Evaluating definitions of culture
To evaluate? = to estimate the value or quality of something e.g. ‘we will evaluate your proposal and inform you of the result in due course’. Task 1.1 p.104 – Evaluate the definitions of culture Which one is best and why?

5. Your definition of culture
Task 1.2
Characteristics of culture
Task 1.3
Write your own sentence definition of culture
[You may use the ‘Term-Class- Features’ structure – but not compulsory]

6. One possible definition
Culture
refers to...
the collective knowledge, beliefs and attitudes...
that distinguish one community from another.

7. Comparison
Root word = compare to compare (verb) = to examine the similarities and differences between two or more objects, ideas, etc. e.g. ‘He compared the drawing with the road map to get the location.’ comparison (noun) ‘The students were asked to make a comparison between the results.’

8. Contrast
to contrast (verb) = to specifically examine the differences between two or more object, ideas, etc. e.g. ‘The athlete’s bronzed skin contrasted with his plain white tee-shirt.’ contrast (noun) ‘The contrast in the girls behaviour was very noticeable.’ In contrast to the surrounding plains, the hilly region was green and fertile.

9. Why compare and contrast?
To show the similarities between at least two things
and/or
To show the difference between two things
To inform
To explain
To analyze
To evaluate
You must have a purpose for writing the essay—why are you writing the essay? What is your point? When you are getting ready to buy a car you might have specific criteria to compare and contrast. (Teachers-Ask students to generate a list of things they might look for when buying a car.) The purpose of the comparison/contrast might be to get the best value for your dollar, to meet the needs of your budget, to plan for your future etc. As you plan for which college you may want to attend, you’ll compare and contrast specific criteria to make an informed decision.
Writing a solid essay takes planning. Remember the Rhetorical Square. If you don’t have a clear idea of why you are comparing or contrasting two things, then you will have difficulty writing a focused paper.

10. Similar?

11. Similarity / similarities
Same = identical e.g. ‘My cousin and I share the same name: Mark’ Similar = Having the same characteristics without being identical e.g. ‘The two friends wore similar dresses.’ ‘Looking at these fossils, I see some similarity to modern-day birds.

12. Recognising similarities and differences
Task 3, P.105 Identify similarities and differences in the text Task 4, p.107 Link in-text references with main ideas

13. Comparison and contrast language p.107, p.111
Similarities
dIffereNCES
These oranges are similar. This orange is like that orange. These 2 oranges are alike. This orange is as _____ as that one. This orange looks like that one. Both these oranges are sweet. Neither of these apples is sweet. That orange is delicious. Likewise, this is equally tasty. In the same way, this is also tasty.
different / dissimilar unlike unalike not as ______ as is more_______ than In contrast to that orange, this apple is sweet. That orange is sweet. However, this one is sour. Although/ even though/while / whereas the orange is sour, the apple is sweet.

14. Tasks 1, p.109: Comparing and contrasting two different careers Identifying ways of organising a comparison essay
Task 2, p.110: Identifying ways to organise a comparison essay Which organisation is more effective?

15. Writing a Thesis Statement
Review your data
Decide to what extent you will stress the similarities between your subjects and to what extent you will stress their differences
Create a thesis statement that reflects that decision
Some teachers may ask for a specific thesis pattern and others may allow you to have some freedom in developing your thesis. Also, your ideas may not be completely balanced between comparison and contrast; you may have more similarities than differences or vice versa.

16. Thesis statements: examples
While some similarities between high school and college are evident, the differences in their organisation and curriculum content are striking.
Despite bearing some minor similarities, the differences between American and Russian views on human rights are pronounced, with Russia appearing to put less value on them.
The similarities between R-rated movies and PG-rated movies are evident, and this means they and the rating system need rigorous scrutiny.

17. Weak Thesis Statements: Why?
The cultures are both somewhat alike and somewhat different.
There are some similarities and some differences between the languages.
Both education systems in Europe and Asia have some similarities.

18. Task 3, p.110 : Write an outline for a comparison essay
Students work in pairs: Prepare an outline comparing two cultures from two perspectives (e.g. financial, social). Each student to write a body paragraph of words from one perspective. Selected pairs to read out paragraphs in class.

19. Task 4: identifying the structure of a comparison paragraph p. 111
Essay organisation?
Point-by-point organisation
(Evidence: Business world of 1990 and today are compared in terms of the global impact)
Perspectives?
Technological (internet); industrial / manufacturing (speed of manufacturing); financial (cost)

20. Optional listening exercise

21. Theme?
Women in Science

22. Women in Science
Unit 7C: Listening - Tasks 1, 2 ,3, pp Task 3.4 extension exercise Write some sentences about Crick, Watson , Wilkins and Roslaind Franklin using the comparison language learnt in the lesson.