
Why do we use comparison and contrast?
What is a comparison essay?
Why is a thesis important in a comparison?
How to make a Venn diagram?
How to do a central area where two things overlap?
How to make a chart of a list of criteria?
Do you have to include comparison in an essay?
See more
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What is a compare and contrast diagram?
A VENN DIAGRAM is a graphic organizer that compares and contrasts two (or more) ideas. Overlapping circles represent how ideas are similar (the inner circle) and different (the outer circles). It is used after reading a text(s) where two (or more) ideas are being compared and contrasted.
How do you write a compare and contrast diagram?
Simply draw two (or three) large circles and give each circle a title, reflecting each object, trait, or person you are comparing. Inside the intersection of the two circles (overlapping area), write all the traits that the objects have in common. You will refer to these traits when you compare similar characteristics.
What is a contrast diagram?
There are many different formats for compare/contrast diagrams. As their name suggests, these graphic organizers are used for comparing and contrasting two concepts, events, objects, or other entities.
What is Comparison and contrast?
Comparison in writing discusses elements that are similar, while contrast in writing discusses elements that are different. A compare and contrast essay, then, analyzes two subjects by comparing them, contrasting them, or doing both.
What are some examples of compare and contrast?
For example, if you wanted to focus on contrasting two subjects you would not pick apples and oranges; rather, you might choose to compare and contrast two types of oranges or two types of apples to highlight subtle differences. For example, Red Delicious apples are sweet, while Granny Smiths are tart and acidic.
What is a Venn diagram used for?
A Venn diagram uses overlapping circles or other shapes to illustrate the logical relationships between two or more sets of items. Often, they serve to graphically organize things, highlighting how the items are similar and different.
What is contrast examples?
Contrast often means “opposite”: for example, black is the opposite of white, and so there's a contrast between black ink and white paper. But contrast can also happen when the two things are just very different. For example, cats and dogs are definitely a contrast, but they're not opposites.
Which is an example of a compare and contrast text structure?
The text must do both to be considered compare and contrast. Example: Apples and oranges are both fruits, which means that they have seeds inside of them. Each has a skin, but orange skins are thick and easy to peel. Apple skins are thinner and do not peel easily.
15+ Outstanding Compare and Contrast Essay Examples
Good Compare and Contrast Essay Examples For Your Help. Working on a compare and contrast essay can be an enriching experience for students. They get a chance to analyze different things, and this is what makes the process so exciting.
Key Words for Compare and Contrast - Corwin
Key Words for Compare and Contrast The following words signal that two pieces are being compared: also as well as both comparatively in the same way
Compare and Contrast Essay Template
© Sara Wolfe . Writing Centre. Compare and Contrast Essay Template. Introduction: General statement about topic . State title, author and general ideas of what is ...
Compare and Contrast Essay Examples - Sample College Essays
Dealing With Compare And Contrast Essay Easily. In today’s time, compare and contrast essays are very common at university levels, or you might have possibly come across one before.
Why do we use comparison and contrast?
Using comparison/contrast for all kinds of writing projects. Sometimes you may want to use comparison/contrast techniques in your own pre-writing work to get ideas that you can later use for an argument, even if comparison/contrast isn’t an official requirement for the paper you’re writing. For example, if you wanted to argue that Frye’s account ...
What is a comparison essay?
One of the most common is the comparison/contrast essay, in which you focus on the ways in which certain things or ideas—usually two of them—are similar to (this is the comparison) and/or different from (this is the contrast) one another. By assigning such essays, your instructors are encouraging you to make connections between texts or ideas, ...
Why is a thesis important in a comparison?
The thesis of your comparison/contrast paper is very important: it can help you create a focused argument and give your reader a road map so she/he doesn’t get lost in the sea of points you are about to make. As in any paper, you will want to replace vague reports of your general topic (for example, “This paper will compare and contrast two pizza places,” or “Pepper’s and Amante are similar in some ways and different in others,” or “Pepper’s and Amante are similar in many ways, but they have one major difference”) with something more detailed and specific. For example, you might say, “Pepper’s and Amante have similar prices and ingredients, but their atmospheres and willingness to deliver set them apart.”
How to make a Venn diagram?
To make a Venn diagram, simply draw some overlapping circles, one circle for each item you’re considering. In the central area where they overlap, list the traits the two items have in common.
How to do a central area where two things overlap?
In the central area where they overlap, list the traits the two items have in common . Assign each one of the areas that doesn’t overlap; in those areas, you can list the traits that make the things different. Here’s a very simple example, using two pizza places: To make a chart, figure out what criteria you want to focus on in comparing the items. ...
How to make a chart of a list of criteria?
To make a chart, figure out what criteria you want to focus on in comparing the items. Along the left side of the page, list each of the criteria. Across the top, list the names of the items. You should then have a box per item for each criterion; you can fill the boxes in and then survey what you’ve discovered.
Do you have to include comparison in an essay?
But it’s not always so easy to tell whether an assignment is asking you to include comparison/contrast. And in some cases, comparison/contrast is only part of the essay—you begin by comparing and/or contrasting two or more things ...
What is compare and contrast?
It is a pictorial way of arranging and organizing information that is easy to understand as well as learn. Besides, they are essential during classroom lessons and office meetings.
What does "contrast" mean in literature?
For instance, to compare two literary works. Contrast - demonstrate unlikeness or differences; note the opposite natures, purposes, etc. For instance, compare and contrast the political rights of Romans and Greeks.
What is the purpose of comparison in graphic organizers?
There are numerous methods for comparing and contrasting the characteristics of objects, individuals, events, and so on. Many different types of graphic organizers make examining these similarities and differences much easier. Compare - to evaluate (two or more objects, thoughts, persons, or other things) in order to find similarities ...
What is a chart diagram?
A chart diagram (also known as a matrix diagram or a table) is a category of graphic organizer that compresses and organizes data about multiple traits related to a large number of items or topics. Charts can be used to display item attributes, compare and contrast topics, and analyze data. For example, making a show of important ...
How do graphic organizers simplify complex concepts?
Graphic organizers may also simplify complex concepts by visualizing them, as an image is worth a thousand words. Ideas that can be seen are easier to comprehend, particularly for the learning process.
What are the different types of graphic organizers?
The suitable one depends on the task at hand. Some common formats include Tree, Cloud/Cluster, Flow Chart, T Chart, Story Maps, Venn diagrams, and many more.
What is a graphic organizer?
Graphic organizers (also known as concept maps, entity relationship charts, and mind maps) are a visual way of arranging information and creating awareness. They assist the students in converting and compressing a large amount of apparently unrelated data into a logical, easy-to-understand graphic display.
What is comparing and contrasting?
Comparing and contrasting is a primary tool for many workplace assessments. You have likely compared and contrasted yourself to other colleagues. Employee advancements, pay raises, hiring, and firing are typically conducted using comparison and contrast.
What are some examples of compare and contrast?
For example, Red Delicious apples are sweet, while Granny Smiths are tart and acidic. Drawing distinctions between elements in a similar category will increase the audience’s understanding of that category, which is the purpose of the compare-and-contrast essay. Similarly, to focus on comparison, choose two subjects that seem at first ...
What is a compare and contrast essay?
A compare-and-contrast essay, then, analyzes two subjects by comparing them, contrasting them, or both. The key to a good compare-and-contrast essay is to choose two or more subjects that connect in a meaningful way. The purpose of conducting the comparison or contrast is not to state the obvious but rather to illuminate subtle differences ...
What is the structure of a comparison and contrast essay?
The Structure of a Comparison and Contrast Essay. The compare-and-contrast essay starts with a thesis that clearly states the two subjects that are to be compared, contrasted, or both and the reason for doing so. The thesis could lean more toward comparing, contrasting, or both.
What is the purpose of a comparison essay?
The purpose of writing a comparison or contrast essay is not to state the obvious but rather to illuminate subtle differences or unexpected similarities between two subjects. The thesis should clearly state the subjects that are to be compared, contrasted, or both, and it should state what is to be learned from doing so.
What is the organizational structure of a compare and contrast essay?
Given that compare-and-contrast essays analyze the relationship between two subjects, it is helpful to have some phrases on hand that will cue the reader to such analysis.
How to write an essay that leans toward contrast?
Brainstorm an essay that leans toward contrast. Choose one of the following three categories. Pick two examples from each. Then come up with one similarity and three differences between the examples.
Why are comparison charts important?
Mostly, comparison charts are easy to make and can help us in educational purposes or to make data-driven decisions. For instance, consider this example in which different phone models are compared to each other.
Who created the first comparison chart?
One of the first major comparison charts was made by William Faden about the comparison of coastal profiles. Although, it was Charles Smith's comparison chart of heights and mountains, it began to gain a wider acceptance.
What is comparison pie chart?
In this, we will simply compare different components and their share in a certain topic. For instance, you can represent the market share of products or, in this case, how the different sources of energy are compared.
What is a histogram?
A histogram is a special form of bar chart that has concurrent values and depicts a certain pattern. The first kind involves a change in time with respect to key parameters. In this diagram, you can see the number of hours spent by students of different ages. Image Source: textimgs.s3.amazonaws.com.
What is a dot chart?
This is another interesting comparison chart in which we use dots to represent a value (mostly, one dot = one value). The dot diagram can compare all sorts of parameters and can realize correlation comparison. They are often used in research and education as well.
Why do we use comparison and contrast?
Using comparison/contrast for all kinds of writing projects. Sometimes you may want to use comparison/contrast techniques in your own pre-writing work to get ideas that you can later use for an argument, even if comparison/contrast isn’t an official requirement for the paper you’re writing. For example, if you wanted to argue that Frye’s account ...
What is a comparison essay?
One of the most common is the comparison/contrast essay, in which you focus on the ways in which certain things or ideas—usually two of them—are similar to (this is the comparison) and/or different from (this is the contrast) one another. By assigning such essays, your instructors are encouraging you to make connections between texts or ideas, ...
Why is a thesis important in a comparison?
The thesis of your comparison/contrast paper is very important: it can help you create a focused argument and give your reader a road map so she/he doesn’t get lost in the sea of points you are about to make. As in any paper, you will want to replace vague reports of your general topic (for example, “This paper will compare and contrast two pizza places,” or “Pepper’s and Amante are similar in some ways and different in others,” or “Pepper’s and Amante are similar in many ways, but they have one major difference”) with something more detailed and specific. For example, you might say, “Pepper’s and Amante have similar prices and ingredients, but their atmospheres and willingness to deliver set them apart.”
How to make a Venn diagram?
To make a Venn diagram, simply draw some overlapping circles, one circle for each item you’re considering. In the central area where they overlap, list the traits the two items have in common.
How to do a central area where two things overlap?
In the central area where they overlap, list the traits the two items have in common . Assign each one of the areas that doesn’t overlap; in those areas, you can list the traits that make the things different. Here’s a very simple example, using two pizza places: To make a chart, figure out what criteria you want to focus on in comparing the items. ...
How to make a chart of a list of criteria?
To make a chart, figure out what criteria you want to focus on in comparing the items. Along the left side of the page, list each of the criteria. Across the top, list the names of the items. You should then have a box per item for each criterion; you can fill the boxes in and then survey what you’ve discovered.
Do you have to include comparison in an essay?
But it’s not always so easy to tell whether an assignment is asking you to include comparison/contrast. And in some cases, comparison/contrast is only part of the essay—you begin by comparing and/or contrasting two or more things ...

Introduction and Best Uses
Simple Compare/Contrast Format
- This first and simplest compare/contrast diagram shows two concepts, each with its own column (see Figure 1). Between the left concept's column and the right concept's column is another column reserved for naming the aspect of the concepts being compared or contrasted. For example, if your two concepts were Honda Civic and Volkswagen Jetta, the aspects you might c…
Separate Similarities and Differences Format
- The second compare/contrast diagram is a little more complex, in that it separates the similarities of the two concepts (comparisons) from the differences between the two concepts (contrasts). As Figure 2 illustrates, each concept has its own column, one on the left and one on the right. Beneath the identification of the two concepts, the columns n...
Table Format
- Sometimes the easiest way to express in-depth comparisons is via a table. In this format, there are at least three columns. The first column holds the specific aspects in regards to which the entities are being compared. In the next two columns, you will place the data pertinent to each entity being compared regarding each aspect. As Figure 4 shows, this format can even be used t…