Purpose of Comapre and Contrast in Reading

10.7 Comparison and Contrast

Learning Objectives

1. Decide the purpose and structure of comparison and contrast in writing.
2. Explain organizational methods used when comparison and contrasting.
3. Understand how to write a compare-and-contrast essay.

The Purpose of Comparison and Contrast in Writing

Comparison in writing discusses elements that are similar, while dissimilarity in writing discusses elements that are different. A compare-and-contrast essay, then, analyzes ii subjects by comparing them, contrasting them, or both.

The key to a skillful compare-and-contrast essay is to choose ii or more than subjects that connect in a meaningful way. The purpose of conducting the comparison or contrast is not to state the obvious but rather to illuminate subtle differences or unexpected similarities. For case, if yous wanted to focus on contrasting ii subjects you would not choice apples and oranges; rather, you might choose to compare and contrast two types of oranges or 2 types of apples to highlight subtle differences. For example, Reddish Delicious apples are sweet, while Granny Smiths are tart and acidic. Drawing distinctions between elements in a similar category will increment the audience's agreement of that category, which is the purpose of the compare-and-contrast essay.

Similarly, to focus on comparison, choose two subjects that seem at first to be unrelated. For a comparing essay, you likely would not choose 2 apples or two oranges because they share and so many of the same properties already. Rather, you might try to compare how apples and oranges are quite similar. The more than divergent the ii subjects initially seem, the more interesting a comparing essay will be.

Writing at Work

Comparing and contrasting is likewise an evaluative tool. In gild to brand accurate evaluations virtually a given topic, you must first know the critical points of similarity and divergence. Comparing and contrasting is a principal tool for many workplace assessments. You have likely compared and assorted yourself to other colleagues. Employee advancements, pay raises, hiring, and firing are typically conducted using comparing and contrast. Comparing and contrast could be used to evaluate companies, departments, or individuals.

Practise 1

Brainstorm an essay that leans toward contrast. Choose one of the following three categories. Pick two examples from each. Then come upwardly with 1 similarity and three differences between the examples.

1. Romantic comedies
2. Internet search engines
3. Prison cell phones

Do two

Brainstorm an essay that leans toward comparison. Choose one of the following three items. So come up up with i deviation and 3 similarities.

1. Department stores and disbelieve retail stores
2. Fast food chains and fine dining restaurants
3. Dogs and cats

The Structure of a Comparison and Dissimilarity Essay

The compare-and-contrast essay starts with a thesis that clearly states the two subjects that are to exist compared, contrasted, or both and the reason for doing so. The thesis could lean more toward comparing, contrasting, or both. Retrieve, the bespeak of comparison and contrasting is to provide useful noesis to the reader. Take the following thesis every bit an case that leans more than toward contrasting.

Thesis statement: Organic vegetables may cost more than those that are conventionally grown, simply when put to the exam, they are definitely worth every extra penny.

Here the thesis sets up the ii subjects to be compared and contrasted (organic versus conventional vegetables), and it makes a claim nearly the results that might prove useful to the reader.

You may organize compare-and-contrast essays in i of the following 2 ways:

1. According to the subjects themselves, discussing one and then the other
2. Co-ordinate to private points, discussing each subject area in relation to each point

Meet Figure 10.1 "Comparing and Contrast Diagram", which diagrams the ways to organize our organic versus conventional vegetables thesis.

Figure 10.1 Comparing and Dissimilarity Diagram

The organizational construction you choose depends on the nature of the topic, your purpose, and your audience.

Given that compare-and-dissimilarity essays clarify the human relationship between two subjects, it is helpful to have some phrases on mitt that will cue the reader to such analysis. See Table 10.3 "Phrases of Comparison and Contrast" for examples.

Table x.3 Phrases of Comparison and Contrast

Comparison	Dissimilarity
1 similarity	1 difference
another similarity	some other deviation
both	conversely
like	in dissimilarity
too	unlike
similarly	while
in a similar style	whereas

Exercise 3

Create an outline for each of the items you chose in Notation 10.72 "Exercise ane" and Note 10.73 "Exercise two". Use the point-past-indicate organizing strategy for 1 of them, and utilise the subject organizing strategy for the other.

Writing a Comparing and Contrast Essay

Beginning choose whether you lot want to compare seemingly disparate subjects, contrast seemingly similar subjects, or compare and dissimilarity subjects. Once yous have decided on a topic, introduce it with an engaging opening paragraph. Your thesis should come at the end of the introduction, and it should plant the subjects you will compare, dissimilarity, or both as well as state what can exist learned from doing so.

The torso of the essay tin be organized in one of ii ways: past field of study or by private points. The organizing strategy that you choose will depend on, equally always, your audience and your purpose. Y'all may besides consider your detail approach to the subjects also equally the nature of the subjects themselves; some subjects might improve lend themselves to one structure or the other. Make sure to utilize comparison and contrast phrases to cue the reader to the ways in which you lot are analyzing the relationship between the subjects.

Afterward you finish analyzing the subjects, write a conclusion that summarizes the primary points of the essay and reinforces your thesis. Come across Affiliate 15 "Readings: Examples of Essays" to read a sample compare-and-dissimilarity essay.

Writing at Work

Many business concern presentations are conducted using comparison and contrast. The organizing strategies—by subject or individual points—could also be used for organizing a presentation. Keep this in heed as a way of organizing your content the next time you lot or a colleague have to present something at piece of work.

Exercise 4

Choose one of the outlines you created in Note x.75 "Do 3", and write a full compare-and-dissimilarity essay. Be sure to include an engaging introduction, a clear thesis, well-defined and detailed paragraphs, and a plumbing equipment conclusion that ties everything together.

Key Takeaways

• A compare-and-dissimilarity essay analyzes 2 subjects by either comparing them, contrasting them, or both.
• The purpose of writing a comparison or dissimilarity essay is not to state the obvious but rather to illuminate subtle differences or unexpected similarities betwixt two subjects.
• The thesis should conspicuously state the subjects that are to be compared, contrasted, or both, and it should state what is to be learned from doing so.

• There are two main organizing strategies for compare-and-contrast essays.

  1. Organize by the subjects themselves, ane so the other.
  2. Organize by private points, in which you hash out each subject area in relation to each betoken.
• Use phrases of comparison or phrases of contrast to point to readers how exactly the ii subjects are being analyzed.

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Source: https://open.lib.umn.edu/writingforsuccess/chapter/10-7-comparison-and-contrast/

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