1. Compare and Contrast Paragraph
English 11
Mrs. Fountain

2. What is Comparison and Contrast?
When you want to decide between options, you compare and contrast.
You compare to find similarities and contrast to find difference

3. Purposes of Comparing and Contrasting
Your purpose could be to make judgments about two things. For example, you might compare and contrast two restaurants in order to convince your readers that one is preferable.
Your purpose could be to describe or understand two familiar things. For example, you might compare two stories to help your readers understand their thematic similarities.

4. Comparison and Contrast Patterns
Point by Point
Give one general area per body paragraph and then discuss each topic within that paragraph.
Example: Comparing two prospective jobs
Salary- Salary of Job A, Salary of Job B
Convenience-Geographical location of Job A, Geographical location of Job B
Colleagues- People at Job A, People at Job B
Responsibilities- Responsibilities of Job A, Responsibilities of Job

5. Comparison and Contrast Patterns
Topic by Topic
Present all points related to Topic A in one paragraph and then present all points related to Topic B in the next paragraph.
Example:
Job A: salary, convenience, responsibilities, colleagues
Job B: salary, convenience, responsibilities, colleagues

6. Practice
Read and analyze example paragraphs

7. Practice 1 Underline the topic sentence.
What does the paragraph compare?
What pattern of comparison does the author follow?
What does the author focus on? Similarities? Differences?

8. Developing

9. Topic Sentence
In a comparison and contrast paragraph, the topic sentence indicates what is being compared and contrasted and expresses a controlling idea.
Example: Although all dogs make good house pets, large dogs are much more useful than small dogs.
Topic being compared: large vs. small dogs
Controlling idea: one is more useful than the other

10. Practice 2
Many media pundits complain about reality television; however, reality shows are just as regular scripted shows.
A. What is being compared?
B. What is the controlling idea?
C. What will the paragraph focus on? S or D?

11. Practice 2
Before the baby comes, people expect a beautiful world of soft coos and sweet smells, but the reality is quite different.
A. What is being compared?
B. What is the controlling idea?
C. What will the paragraph focus on? S or D?

12. Practice 2 Teenagers are as difficult to raise as toddlers.
A. What is being compared?
B. What is the controlling idea?
C. What will the paragraph focus on? S or D?

13. Your turn!
Directions: For each provided topic, decide whether you will focus on similarities or differences. Then write a topic sentence for each topic.
Topic: high school and college
Topic: goals in childhood and goals in adulthood
Topic: two people who are close to me

14. The Supporting Ideas
After you have developed an effective topic sentence, generate supporting ideas.
In a comparison and contrast paragraph, think of examples that help clarify the similarities or differences.

15. Paragraph Plan
Topic sentence: Although many people like the freedom and privacy of living alone, living with other people has its merits.
Expenses
With others, you can share expenses
Details: phone, electricity, etc. are less for each person
Alone, you must pay for everything yourself
Details: can be very expensive

16. Paragraph Plan Cont. Companionship
With others, there is someone to talk to
Details: at end of day, you can discuss experiences
Aone, you can sometimes be lonely
Details: nobody to come home to
Decisions
With others, you must compromise
Details: if there are conflicts, you must find resolution
Alone, you can do what you want, when you want
Details: no worry about making noise

17. The First Draft

18. The First Draft
After you outline your ideas in a plan, you are ready to write the first draft.
Remember to write complete sentences. You might include transitional words or expressions to help your ideas flow smoothly.

19. Transitional Words and Expressions
To Show Similarities
Additionally; in addition; at the same time; in the same way; equally; similarly
To Show Differences
Conversely; nevertheless; however; on the contrary; in contrast; then again

20. Assignment Complete Practice 3- Revise and Edit Exercise
Complete Writing Activity 1 (handout)