Unit 4: Comparison-Contrast

1. Navarro College • English 1301 • Hammonds-French Unit 4: Comparison-Contrast

2. Comparing = seeing how things are alike • Contrasting = seeing how things are different • Comparison-contrast helps us to answer questions of benefits v. disadvantages, cost v. reward, likes v. dislikes, and gives us knowledge in a variety of situations that require choice: which movie would I rather spend my money to see?

3. Comparison-contrast works best for the following purposes: • To demonstrate that one thing is better than another; • To demonstrate that two things that seem different are actually alike; • To demonstrate that two things that seem alike are actually different FYI ~ • Words like compare, contrast, differ, have in common, or versus, lend themselves to comparison-contrast writing.

4. STRATEGIES • 1. Be sure your subjects are at least somewhat alike. Some obvious qualities are needed to serve as the starting point to jump into a discussion of the not so obvious differences. • Compare and contrast two different parts of the same country. • Compare and contrast two identical twins. • Compare and contrast two famous comedians.

5. 2. Stay focused on your purpose. You are NOT to just compose a mechanical list of “how A differs from B.” You must determine in your thesis the reason for your comparison-contrast. • Though both Destin Beach and Sunset Beach are tourist beaches in Florida, the vacationer is sure to book a return trip to Sunset Beach for three important reasons. • Despite the mirror images Traci and Maci, identical twins, display physically and facially, if you value a friend who is trustworthy, loyal, and honest, then you could only choose one. • Though Bill Cosby and Bernie Mac share many comedic traits, when it comes to family dynamics, only one humorously communicates ideas that still resonate for the 21st century family.

6. 3. Formulate a strong thesis statement that does the following: • Name the subjects being compared. • Indicate whether the essay focuses on the subjects’ similarities, differences, or both. • State the essay’s main point of comparison-contrast. • LOOK BACK AT MY PREVIOUS THESIS STATEMENTS FOR AN ACTIVITY.

7. Though both Destin Beach and Sunset Beach are tourist beaches in Florida, the vacationer is sure to book a return trip to Sunset Beach for three important reasons. • Destin Beach and Sunset Beach • Both; more of contrasts since they already share similarities • To show why tourists are more likely to return to Sunset Beach • Despite the mirror images that Traci and Maci, identical twins, display physically and facially, if you value a friend who is trustworthy, loyal, and honest, then you could only choose one. (1.?2.?3.?) • Though Bill Cosby and Bernie Mac share many comedic traits, when it comes to family dynamics, only one humorously communicates ideas that still resonate for the 21st century family. (1.?2.?3.?)

8. 4. Select the points to be discussed. • Consider your topics. • Consider your thesis statement. • Consider your paper length (generally 2 page length). • Consider what would be meaningful and interesting for a focus. • Usually 3-4 points is enough. 2 points is not enough! 5 points would make the paper too long!

9. ACTIVITY • Consider the following thesis statement and the points under it. What points should be eliminated as UNSUITABLE for the thesis/topic? • Though Bill Cosby and Bernie Mac share many comedic traits, when it comes to family dynamics, only one humorously communicates ideas that still resonate for the 21st century family. • Points? • Race of the comedian • Age of the comedian • Famous jokes about family • Personal family information (marriage, children, grandchildren) • Television sitcoms about family issues • Education of the comedian

10. 5. Organize the points to be discussed so that they are not a confused jumble of information. There are two acceptable ways of organizing your essay: • One-side-at-a-time method • Point-by-point method

11. One-side-at-a-time method • Everything about subject A • Point 1 • Point 2 • Point 3 • Point 4 • Everything about subject B • Point 1 • Point 2 • Point 3 • Point 4 • THE POINTS SHOULD BE IN SAME ORDER!

12. Everything about Traci • Trustworthiness (examples, details) • Loyalty (examples, details) • Honesty (examples, details) • Everything about Maci • Trustworthiness (examples, details) • Loyalty (examples, details) • Honesty (examples, details) • NOTICE: THE POINTS ARE IN SAME ORDER! • NOTICE: THE PAPER HAS TWO BODY PARAGRAPHS!

13. Point-by-point method • First point of subjects A & B • Subject A shows this point… • Subject B shows this point… • Second point of subjects A & B • Subject A shows this point… • Subject B shows this point… • Third point of subjects A & B • Subject A shows this point… • Subject B shows this point…

14. Trustworthiness • Traci demonstrates trustworthiness by… (examples, details) • Maci demonstrates trustworthiness by…(examples, details) • Loyalty • Traci shows her loyalty by…(examples, details) • Maci shows her loyalty by…(examples, details) • Honesty • Traci defines honesty as… (examples, details) • Maci defines honesty as…(examples, details) • NOTICE : THE POINTS ARE IN THE SAME ORDER IN EACH CATEGORY! • NOTICE : THE PAPER HAS THREE BODY PARAGRAPHS!

15. 6. Supply the reader/evaluator with clear transitions. Even if you follow the pattern exactly, you will still need to use transitions to smoothly move through your essay. • Transitions to signal comparisons: also, in the same way, likewise, similarly… • Transitions to signal contrasts: by way of contrast, on the other hand, however, but, yet, contrarily…