PEARSON ADULT LEARNING CENTRE
Advanced Composition
Comparing and Contrasting: Plan A or B?

October 21, 2004

This week, we will learn about comparison contrast paragraph development.
 

Comparing and Contrasting

Use comparison-contrast development to compare (show likeness) or contrast (show difference).

A.     Make sure to have a clear reason for your comparison (note that comparison automatically includes contrast in its definition)

B.     There are two styles used to organize a comparison or contrast paragraph: Block or Point-by-Point.

 In Block Style a writer gives all examples for one side of the comparison and then switches to the other side. Thus, A A A , B B B .

In Point-by-Point Style the writer alternates sentence by sentence from A B A B A B A B

Homework (Writing due on Thursday October 29 in class)

Write a comparison contrast paragraph of about 125 to 150 words. Use the point-by-point style. Examples of sentence structures to use are on the reverse of this sheet. Write a topic that emphasizes similarity OR difference. Use a topic sentence that indicates your choice.

Topics:

Compare two different classes you have taken in the same subject.

Compare two different kinds of grocery store shoppers.

Compare courtship in your country with another country (Canada or . . . ).

Useful Sentence Structures for Comparison Contrast Writing

Comparison Sentences

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 Sentences

 

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. . .

 

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