Expository Writing

Comparing and Contrasting

- explaining the essential similarities and differences between two subjects. 

COMPARING AND CONTRASTING
If you have difficulty, consider the following:
* Look for obvious attributes
* Pick an attribute from one
subject, and see whether it
can be found in the second
subject.
* Examine functions, components,
composition, relationships,
to other common items.

Compare and contrast apples and oranges. Everyone knows that apples and oranges are different; the trick is to find ways in which apples and oranges are alike.

A compare-and-contrast essay allows you to give more information than an essay that simply defines one subject. For example, you can clearly define frozen yogurt by saying it has the same consistency as soft ice cream but it contains less fat. It would be much more difficult to define frozen yogurt--or almost anything else-- without referring to similar or different items.

Shaping Your Essay

Thesis - expresses the essential differences and similarities between two subjects. Gives the essay shape.

Sorting the Elements

Organizational pattern in comparing and contrasting two subjects

Sketching It Out

Two basic ways of approaching a comparison and contrast essay:

 Achieving Coherence

Carefully chose transitional words and phrases that will show the relationships between features and will also improve the flow of your writing. Repetition of key words creates a link between ideas in your essay.

 

Sketching It Out

Feature Approach: Egyptian courtship

Feature 1 (Engagement)

U.S.: occurs after a period of dating

Egypt: begins a dating relationship

Feature 2 (Wedding Shower)

U.S.: for woman only

Egypt: for both man a woman

Feature 3 (Wedding)

U.S.: lasts 1/2-1 hour, ends with kiss

Egypt: lasts 1-2 hours, ends with kiss

Subject Approach: Computer Programmers

Subject A (Ordinary Programmer)

· Focus of work: problem to be solved

· Spends time on: other aspects of work

· Relations with others: allows others to work on computer

Subject B (Compulsive Programmer)

· Focus of work: interaction with computer

· Spends time on: only the computer

· Relations with others: can talk to others only about his program