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Comparison and Contrast Paragraph Style. Comparison and Contrast Paragraph: compares two subjects of the same general type, pointing out the similarities or differences. The most dramatic of the two is differences (contrast). A comparison would focus on similarities .
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Comparison and Contrast Paragraph:compares two subjects of the same general type, pointing out the similarities or differences. The most dramatic of the two is differences (contrast). A comparison would focus on similarities.
For example, you might choose to compare two countries, two sports, two poems, or two solutions to unemployment. vs.
You must: Choose a meaningful basis for comparison between the subjects. Be able to indicate WHY a comparison is worth developing – what impact do the similarities or differences have?
Questions Before You Start: Are the subjects truly comparable? What can be compared between them? What is the best way to organize my arguments? What is the purpose of my comparison? (Why am I doing this?)
Paragraph 1:Intro and thesis Paragraph 2:Subject #1 (Hockey) Paragraph 3:Subject #2 (Basketball) Paragraph 4:Restate thesis and briefly summarize points
Point-by-Point In the point-by-point comparison, each point compares one element in BOTH subjects. When comparing sports, you might compare the three points of athleticism, entertainment value, and revenue.
Paragraph Organization: Topic sentence intros the thesis/comparison and why. Point 1:Athleticism • Hockey • Basketball Point 3:Entertainment Value • Hockey • Basketball Point 3:Revenue • Hockey • Basketball Concluding Portion:Restate thesis make a clear connection for your reader.
The Point-by-Point is ideal for: • making the similarities and differences between subjects more readily apparent to the reader • longer essays where the terms of comparison are complex and demand high reader recall
Avoid turning the Point-by-Point method of comparison into the dreaded… “Tennis Ball Method”
An Example of the Tennis Ball Headache Comparison of Housman’s “On Wenlock Edge” and Roethke’s “Dolor” Both poems examine negative aspects of human existence. Housman talks about the eternal nature of men’s troubles whereas Roethke talks about the “dolor” of modern business life. Housman uses details of woods, gales, snow, leaves, and hills whereas Roethke selects details of pencils, boxes, paper-weights, mucilage, and lavatories. Housman’s focus is therefore on the torments of man close to Nature; Roethke’s on civilized, ordered, duplicated, grey flannelled man. Housman states that the significance of human problems fades in the perspective of eternity. Roethke does not mention eternity but makes men’s problems seem smaller by showing that business life has virtually erased human emotion. Each
poet forces the reader to view mankind’sproblems with a greater sense of overall objectivity.
In Summary Because comparing and contrasting is a natural human thought process, organizing written communication in this pattern is not very difficult. It does, however, require clear thinking and preparation. Before you begin to write, you need to study the subjects carefully, decide on the terms of comparison, and choose the appropriate comparative structure.
The Comparative Thesis Statement EXTREMELY IMPORTANT CHALLENGING TO WRITE AND Because comparison involves considering different SUBJECTS in terms of several ASPECTS writing a cohesive thesis statement is difficult.
Formulating the Thesis Essay Focus: Differences The thesis should acknowledge the similarity, but focus on the differences between the subjects, making their significance clear. Essay Focus: Similarities The thesis should acknowledge the difference, but focus on the similarities between the subjects, making their significance clear.
So What?? You must think about the “why” or the “so what” in your thesis. What are you trying to prove?
Sample Thesis Statements • Although both the film and novel version of Mystic River display a unique perception of human life, the book showcases greater depth of understanding and emotions, which the movie lacks. • Although the novel and film both deal with the problems and struggles of these women, the film strips away their strength, and as a result takes away their personal identity. • Although both the novel and the film capture the main events of the story, the film changes or adds certain aspects in order to adapt to modern-day society.
Don’t Forget! • Process work is just as important as the final product • Strong thesis statements and topic sentences, make for a strong essay • Ask for help when you need it – from peers or the teacher • Organize your thoughts clearly when you take notes from a text. This means highlighting certain things, writing down significant quotes, asking questions, and thinking about the larger significance of the elements of plot.
