Comparison & Contrast
You are comparing whenever you explain something new by contrasting it with
something familiar.
Comparison papers are primarily concerned with how things are alike; contrast
papers are primarily concerned with how things are different. The structure is the
same but the emphasis is different.
Main Idea Sentences for Comparison Papers
A good main idea sentence for a paper of comparison has two parts. The first part
says what things are being compared, and the second part makes clear whether
you are primarily interested in likenesses or in differences.
The two parts are usually joined by such words and phrases as although, even
though, in spite of, notwithstanding, or but. Using these words and phrases will help
you avoid such obvious sentences as (“Elephants and mice are both alike and
different.") You will find it much easier to make your point in the paper if you say, ("In
spite of their obvious differences, elephants and mice are very much alike in several
ways.")
Planning the Order
Comparison
Main idea sentence
Differences (covered in the first paragraph)
Similarities (rest of the paper)
Contrast
Main idea sentence
Similarities (covered in the first paragraph)
Differences (rest of the paper)
A better method for organizing most comparison papers, especially the so-called
comparison-contrast paper, might be called the AB/AB/AB plan. (The comparison-
contrast paper strives for a 50-50 balance between similarities and differences.)
The sample following concerns itself with the body of the paper and does not include
mandatory introductions and summaries.
Examining a Sample Comparison Paper (A/B)
1. Introduction: main idea sentence plus specific details
2. Likenesses: equipment, object of the game, some rules
3. Differences: size of court
Ping-Pong (a)
Tennis (b)
exertion required
Tennis (b)
Ping-Pong (a)
4. Differences: skill required
Tennis (b)
Ping-Pong (a)
5. Conclusion: (most important idea) different skills required
More A/B method
Judo is a sport but karate is serious matter. The aim of judo is to throw opponent;
the aim of karate is to maim or kill.
Body development in judo includes all muscles and reactions. Body development in
karate includes certain parts developed as lethal weapons
I. Both involve series of learned and practiced moves
judo learns to throw
karate learns to disable
II. Both require physical discipline
judo disciplines all muscle
karate disciplines certain parts of body
III. Both uses opponent’s weight and movement
judo takes advantage of balance, gravity
karate tries to break arms and legs
IV. Both used for defense
victim of judo only thwarted
victim of karate often dead
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