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PEARSON ADULT LEARNING CENTRE
Advanced Composition
Is that a Comparison or a Contrast?
 February 28, 2002

Use comparison-contrast development to compare (show likeness) or contrast (show difference). Tonight, we will practice writing a contrast paragraph, though all the information provided will serve equally well in writing comparison.

Comparison Contrast Structures:

The example below is for a Contrast paragraph on differences between Canadians and another nationality. Note that you look at your topic in THREE different ways.

BLOCK ARRANGEMENT  I. Topic sentence in which you state your purpose which is to discuss differences between Canadians and ______ (nationality) II. Canadians A. Manners B. Interests C. Family Life  III. _________ A. Manners B. Interests C. Family Life  IV. Conclusion sentence, restating your topic idea.

POINT-BY-POINT ARRANGEMENT  I. Topic sentence in which you state your purpose which is to discuss differences between Canadians and ________  II. Differences between Canadians and _______ A. Manners  1. Canadians  2. _________ B. Interests  1. Canadians  2. _________ C. Family Life  1. Canadians 2. _________  III. Conclusion sentence, restating your topic idea.

Useful Sentence Structures for Comparison Contrast Writing

Comparison

Both A and B 
Just as A..., so too B... 
Like A, B 
A is as .....as B... 
B also has... 
A...; similarly, B... 
Neither A nor B has... 
A...; likewise, B...

Contrast

Unlike A, B... 
A is not as ... as B... 
In contrast, B... 
A has...; however, B has 
Although A..., B... 
A is ..., but B is ... 
A is ... whereas B is ... 
A is ...; on the other hand, B is... 

Tonight's Writing Assignment:

Canadians are definitely different from other nationalities. Tonight, begin writing a contrast paragraph that looks, in three different ways, at the differences between your nationality and Canadian people. Use, if you wish, the three ways outlined in the table, but you may use any aspect of character or behaviour appropriate to your discussion.

 

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