COMPARISON AND CONTRAST ESSAYS

Comparison essays compare things. They are based on two ideas that are related in some way. The essay can focus on similarities between the two things, on the differences or on both the similarities and differences. The goal of the writer is to show to the readers how these objects are similar or different, their strengths and weaknesses or their advantages and disadvantages. Another purpose of comparison and contrast essays is to persuade, explain or inform. The emphasis should be either on similarities or differences, and details should be included according to which emphasis is chosen.

Comparison essays have two basic methods of organization – the block method and the point by point method.

In the block method the writer presents first one subject and all its points of comparison, then the second subject and all its points of comparison. Here is the example of the block organization of an essay about the system of comprehensive education in Ukraine and Great Britain.

Parts of an Essay	Paragraphs	Structure
Introduction	Paragraph 1
Body	Paragraphs 2 – 3 Paragraphs 4 – 5	Ukrainian schools: · Organization · Style of teaching · Recent developments British schools: · Organization · Style of teaching · Recent developments
Conclusion	Paragraph 6	Restated thesis, opinion

With the point-by-point method the writer presents each point of comparison of two subjects. Here is the example of the point-by-point organization of an essay about the system of comprehensive education in Ukraine and Great Britain.

Parts of an Essay	Paragraphs	Structure
Introduction	Paragraph 1
Body	Paragraph 2 Paragraph 3 Paragraph 4	Organization · Ukrainian schools · British schools Style of teaching · Ukrainian schools · British schools Recent developments · Ukrainian schools · British schools
Conclusion	Paragraph 5	Restated thesis, opinion

When deciding what method of organization is better to choose, you may take into consideration the following peculiarities of each method:

Block method	Point-by-point method
· Allows developing a subject completely, without interruption.	· Both subjects are presented in one paragraph, so readers go back and forth between two subjects.
· It may be difficult for readers to see the parallel points of comparison between two subjects.	· The parallel points of comparison may be easy to see.

6.1 LANGUAGE FOCUS: Connectors for Comparison and Contrast Essays

Comparison or contrast essay is very often organized in logical order. The introduction presents two things that will be compared; the body gives additional information on the subjects and the conclusion restates how these things are similar or different. To show the similarity or difference the writer uses connecting words. Here are some of them:

Connectors that show comparison	Examples
In addition,	These two kinds of roses are known for their bloom, color and flagrance. In addition, they are easy to grow.
Similarly,	The Mignight Dream rose won awards in local contests last year. Similarly, the Red Beauty rose was singled out for its beauty.
Likewise,	The blooms of Read Beauty last longer than those of most other roses. Likewise, the blooms of the Midnigth Dream are long-lasting.
Compared to…,	Compared to many other roses, the blooms of Read Beauty and the Midnigth Dream last a long time.

Connectors that show contrast	Examples
However, On the other hand,	However, (On the other hand,) some differences are not so obvious.
In contrast,	The Mignight Dream has strong, sweet fragrance. In contrast, the Red Beauty’s fragrance is light and fruity.
Although…,	Although they both have red flowers, the blooms of Read Beauty are darker than the blooms of the Midnigth Dream roses.
Even though…,	Even though they both have long-lasting blooms, the blooms of Read Beauty will stay fresh longer than the Midnigth Dream’s blooms.
Unlike …,	Unlike Red Beauty, the Midnigth Dream roses are relatively inexpensive.

NOTE: When these connectors occur at the beginning of a sentence, they MUST be followed by a comma.

Date: 2014-12-29; view: 1140

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