comparisonandcontrastessay.docx

1、comparisonandcontrastessayHere are some contrast conjunctions that you can use: Short ConjunctionsSubordinating ConjunctionsHowever, In contrast, By contrast, ., but ., yet On the other hand, even though + sentence although + sentence whereas + sentence unlike + sentence while + sentence nevertheles

2、ssimilar tolikeboth . and .in additionmoreoverbesideslikewisesimilarlyin the same waySome transitions indicating difference:different fromin contrast tocompared withunlikebuton the other handconverselyin contrasthoweverA Brief Guide to Writing A Comparison/Contrast EssayWriting a comparison/contrast

3、 paper involves comparing and contrasting two subjects. A comparison shows how two things are alike. A contrast shows how two things are different. Choosing a Topic When you choose a topic, be sure not to choose two totally unrelated subjects. You must start with subjects that have some basic simila

4、rities. For instance, you could choose to compare/contrast two movies, two authors, two modes of transportation, or two sports figures, but you would not want to try to compare train travel and Babe Ruth! Brainstorming The first thing you want to do is brainstorm everything you know about each subje

5、ct and then go back and look for connections that show similarities and differences, which might look something like this: AutumnSpringcoolerwarmerleaves changeflowers bloombrilliant colorstrees bloomprecedes winterprecedes summerdeathbirthDeveloping a Thesis The thesis statement will evolve from th

6、e brainstorming. Look at your list and ask yourself some questions. Is there something important, significant, or interesting in the similarities and differences on my list? What have I discovered about autumn and spring?After looking at the list, a thesis statement might be: Although there is exqui

7、site beauty in the seasons of autumn and spring, there are also distinctions which allow each season to stand on its own.Organizing the Essay The introduction of your essay should mention both subjects and end with a strong and clearly defined thesis statement. There are two primary ways to organize

8、 the body of your paper, the divided pattern and the alternating pattern. To follow the divided pattern, give all supporting details for one subject and then give all supporting details for the other subject: Paragraphs 1-3 in BodyDiscuss and give supporting details for subject 1 (Autumn)Paragraphs

9、4-6 in BodyDiscuss and give supporting details for subject 2 (Spring)To follow the alternating pattern, alternate the details from one side of the comparison or contrast to the other: Paragraph 1 in BodyDiscuss and give supporting details for subject 1 (Autumn)Paragraph 2 in BodyDiscuss and give sup

10、porting details for subject 2 (Spring)Paragraph 3 in BodyDiscuss and give further supporting details for subject 1 (Autumn)Paragraph 4 in BodyDiscuss and give further supporting details for subject 2 (Spring)The conclusion of your paper should include final correlations about the two subjects and a

11、restatement of your thesis. Be sure as you write the paper that you follow the organized structure of comparison and contrast and give details and examples to support the similarities and differences you have chosenA Comparison or Contrast essay is an essay in which you either compare something or c

12、ontrast something. A comparison essay is an essay in which you emphasize the similarities, and a contrast essay is an essay in which you emphasize the differences. We use comparison and contrast thinking when deciding which university to attend, which car to buy, or whether to drive a car or take a

13、bus or an airplane to a vacation site. In this section, two classic organizational patterns of a comparison or contrast essay will be discussed. One is called block arrangement of ideas; the other is called point-by-point or alternating arrangement of ideas. Suppose you are interested in showing the

14、 differences between vacationing in the mountains and vacationing at the beach. You will then write a contrast composition. One way to arrange your material is to use the block arrangement which is to write about vacationing in the mountains in one paragraph and vacationing at the beach in the next.

15、 If you mention a particular point in the mountains paragraph, you must mention the same point in the beach paragraph, and in the same order. Study the following outline, which shows this kind of organization. The introductory paragraph is followed by the mountains paragraph, the beach paragraph, th

16、en the conclusion; the fully developed essay is just four paragraphs.Block Arrangement (four paragraphs)I.Introduction in which you state your purpose which is to discuss the differences between vacationing in the mountains or at the beachII.MountainA. ClimateB. Types of Activities C. Location III.B

17、eachA. ClimateB. Types of Activities C. Location IV.ConclusionA second way to organize this material is to discuss a particular point about vacationing in the mountains and then immediately to discuss the same point about vacationing at the beach. This is called point-by-point or alternating arrange

18、ment. An outline of this organization follows.Point-by-Point or Alternating Arrangement (five paragraphs)I.Introduction in which you state your purpose which is to discuss differences between vacationing in the mountains or at the beachII.First difference between mountains and beaches is climateA. M

19、ountainsB. BeachIII.Second difference between mountains and beaches are types of activitiesA. MountainsB. BeachIV.Third difference between mountains and beaches is the locationA. MountainsB. BeachV.ConclusionApplication: Block or Point-by-PointExamine the comparison or contrast essays that follow, a

20、nd decide whether the authors used block arrangement or point-by-point (or alternating) arrangement. Notice how other authors structure their essays. Five paragraphs or four? Block arrangement or point-by-point arrangement? Noticing these things will help you become a better, more conscious reader a

21、nd writer. Vacationing at the Beach or in the MountainsPeople are always looking forward to their vacation period. There are many options where to choose. I think that the two most common places people choose for taking a vacation are the beaches and the mountains. Both places offer a variety of fun

22、 activities. The beach offers activities that the mountain cannot offer and vice versa. The mountain and the beach are totally different. The purpose of this essay is to contrast the climate, types of activities and locations of beaches and mountains. I am going to discuss mountains first. The three

23、 aspects I am going to discuss are climate, types of activities and location. Climate is always important in order to enjoy vacations. If a person dislikes cold weather, he or she might have a hard time in the mountains. The cold climate in the mountains is the first barrier to enjoying them, but th

24、e climate and the temperature of these zones also determine the types of activities they offer. Snow boarding, mountain climbing, mountain biking, hiking, and skiing are some activities people can enjoy when going to the mountains. There are many regions that have mountains where people can go and h

25、ave a great vacation. Canada is a country located in North America and contains many mountain vacation sites where people can go and have fun.I am going to discuss the beach second. The three aspects I am going to discuss are climate, types of activities and location. Warm climate is one of the most

26、 important features that the beach has. Sun and fun are two words that describe the beach. The temperature in those places is always hot. The sea and the warm climate determine the activities that are available at the beach. People can swim, play volleyball, play soccer, and ride water bikes. In mos

27、t coastal sites, there are discos and restaurants where people can dance or party throughout the night. Mexico offers many amazing coastal sites to visit. Acapulco and Cancun are two of the most beautiful and famous beaches in the word. It does not matter what place a person decides to choose. The f

28、un is 100% guaranteed. People often choose one of these two options to spend their vacations. Depending on what the person likes is what he or she will choose. I like the beach better than the mountains, but sometimes it is better to take a risk and try a different place to enjoy. (399 words)Is the

29、essay above organized using block or point-by-point arrangement of details? Note first the essay is four paragraphs, (1) an introduction, (2) a paragraph about vacationing in the mountains, (3) a paragraph about vacationing at the beach, and (4) a conclusion. This is the block arrangement, the first

30、 block containing information about mountains and the second block containing information about the beach. The following essay contrasts eating fresh foods and canned foods. Is its organization block or point-by-point? How many paragraphs does it contain? How many differences between fresh foods and

31、 canned foods does the author discuss? Consuming Fresh Foods Instead of Canned FoodsEating is an activity that we as humans do at least two times a day. We live in a world where the variety of food is immense, and we are responsible for what we eat. We decide what we are about to eat and how it will

32、 affect our bodies. The purpose of this essay is to compare and contrast the differences between eating fresh foods instead of canned foods. The three main differences are flavor, health benefits, and cost.The most notable difference between these two kinds of foods is their flavor. Fresh foods have great flavor and taste because t