1. Academic english iii
April 14, 2015

2. Today
Compare/Contrast writing
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3. Compare/Contrast Writing
This is a very common type of essay in many fields. Examples: Compare the forms of government of Canada and the U.S. Compare the characters of Winston and O’Brien in George Orwell’s “1984.” Compare and contrast methods for marketing a new product.
Political Science
Literature
Business

4. Compare/Contrast Writing - Analysis
- It is not enough to simply say: “This is how A & B are different; this is how they are similar.” Or “A and B are similar, yet different.” - The above is just listing information. - At the university level, some form of analysis is needed in comparison/contrast writing.  Go beyond “here is some information…the end ”

5. Organization
A key feature of comparison/contrast essays is organization.
- Careful organization is necessary for an effective essay of this kind.
- You don’t want to confuse the reader(s).
- There are several ways to organize a comparison/contrast essay We will examine two of them.

6. Organization
Look at these two examples: - How does each organize its information?

7. Organization – Example 1
Subjects: beaches & mountains Points of comparison/contrast: climate, activities, locations Body 1: Mountains Body 2: Beaches

8. Organization – Example 2
Subjects: fresh foods & canned foods Points of comparison/contrast: flavors, benefits, cost Body 1: flavor Body 2: health benefits Body 3: cost

9. Organization
Example 1: Block organization Example 2: Point-by-point organization - Neither holds advantage over the other. - Which you use depends on your preference (and to a degree), the goal of your writing.

10. Block Organization
Contents organized into “blocks” Discuss all of topic A, then all of topic B.

11. Block Organization
Basic outline:
I. Introduction (opening, purpose of the essay, thesis statement).
II. Body A. Topic A features - Feature Feature 2
B. Topic B features - Feature Feature 2
III. Conclusion
NOTE: Make sure you discuss the same features for each topic!

12. Point-by-Point Organization
Each point of comparison (“feature”) becomes the topic of a paragraph. Within each paragraph, the two topics are compared or contrasted on that feature.

13. Point-by-Point Organization
Basic outline: (Two topics, A & B)
I. Introduction (opening, purpose of the essay, thesis statement).
II. Body A. Difference/similarity 1 - FLAVOR
- Topic 1 - Fresh - Topic 2 - Canned
B. Difference/similarity 2 – Health
- Topic 1 – Canned - Topic 2
C. Difference/similarity 3 - Cost
- Topic 1 - Canned - Topic 2
III. Conclusion
NOTE: Always discuss the topics in the same order!

14. Compare-Contrast Thesis Statements
Topics:
Point of comparison
Job X
Job Y
Same or different?
Salary
$30/hour
$25/hour
different
Benefits (vacation, pension, health insurance).
Great (all)
Good (no health insurance)
Chance for promotion
Good
same
Workplace environment
Friendly, supportive

15. Compare-Contrast Thesis Statements
A weak essay would use this thesis statement: “Job X and Job Y are similar, yet different.” This weak essay might even expand the thesis statement: “Job X and Job Y share similarities in chance of promotion and workplace environment; however, they differ in salary and benefits.” But the essay will still be weak…it lacks analysis.

16. Compare-Contrast Thesis Statements
The goal of this type of essay is to compare and contrast two comparable topics and through this comparison, support a position. Basic structure: Although Topic X and Topic Y have similarities in A and B, Topic X is <ARGUMENT> due to C and D. i.e., While both Job X and Job Y offer good workplace environments and opportunities for promotion, Job X is a better job for a recent graduate because it offers superior salary and benefits.

17. Compare-Contrast Thesis Statements
More examples (from past students): Although Nike and Adidas share similarities in business strategies, such as collaboration, and using technology, Adidas’s superior approach strategy and slogan make its business strategies more appealing to consumers. Although Baskin Robbins and Haagen-Dazs share similar quality of production and managing store, Baskin Robbins is a more attractive store for eating ice cream due to its superior promotions and lower costs.

18. Compare/Contrast Writing - Analysis
- It is not enough to simply say: “This is how A & B are different; this is how they are similar.” Or “A and B are similar, yet different.” - The above is just listing information. - At the university level, some form of analysis is needed in comparison/contrast writing.  Go beyond “here is some information…the end ”

19. Compare/Contrast Writing - Analysis
Your analysis should begin by researching two comparable topics/subjects AND
Considering the rationale for comparing the two

20. Compare/Contrast Writing - Analysis
Considering rationale: - Ask yourself: What factors can I compare my two topics on? - How are they similar? - How are they different?

21. Compare/Contrast Writing - Analysis
Next, determine a position:
i.e., two smart phones: Which would you recommend to a new smart phone user?
two countries: Which is better for a foreign investor?
two universities: which provides the best opportunities to foreign students?

23. Compare/Contrast - analysis
These both have similarities and differences, BUT
Which would you recommend to a Canadian tourist?
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