Why is comparison/contrast important in writing?
The Compare & Contrast strategy strengthens students' writing skills by providing a simple structure that helps them organize information and develop their ideas with greater clarity and precision.
What is the difference between comparison and contrast?
What is the difference between Compare and Contrast?
- You use the word compare when you have the intention of representing or describing the similarities between two objects.
- You can also use compare when you want to make a comparison between two objects.
- Comparison is used in the sense of examining the qualities with a view to discover resemblances or differences.
How to teach comparing and contrasting in reading?
Teach the vocabulary needed to have an effective conversation comparing and contrasting two objects. Look for these words in texts and show to students. Practice using the vocabulary words and phrases! Use sentence starters to scaffold: “One way they are the same is they both….” “In contrast,…..”.
What is the meaning of contrast and comparison?
The verb contrast carries the meaning ‘to compare in respect to differences’. As you use compare to represent similarities between two objects, if you have the intention of differentiating between two objects, then you contrast. At the same time, contrast focuses mainly on the differences between two objects.
What is the main purpose of comparing?
To compare is to bring two or more things together (physically or in contemplation) and to examine them systematically, identifying similarities and differences among them. Comparison has a different meaning within each framework of study.
Why is comparing and contrasting an important skill?
Comparing and Contrasting will not only help students with reading but also in everyday life! It helps them: Organize and remember information. Highlight subtle differences between objects or concepts and, in turn, help them make better decisions in life.
How do you explain compare and contrast to students?
Comparing and contrasting is looking at what is the same and what is different between two things. Comparing is looking at what is similar, and contrasting is looking at the differences. A Venn Diagram can be used to write down and visually show comparing and contrasting.
Is compare and contrast a reading strategy?
Comparing and contrasting text assists the reader by engaging them in critical thinking. Comparing involves highlighting similarities and differences. Contrasting focuses only on differences. Exposure to various texts along with discussion is the best way to use this strategy to improve comprehension.
Why is it important to compare and contrast similar theme text?
Here are a few reasons why comparing and contrasting texts is an important skill for upper elementary readers: It requires an attention to detail, which is important for comprehension. It helps students organize information. It's a foundational skill to many higher-level critical thinking skills, such as synthesizing.
What is a good example 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 comparison and contrast in writing?
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 both.
What is another word for compare and contrast?
The words collate and contrast are common synonyms of compare. While all three words mean "to set side by side in order to show differences and likenesses," compare implies an aim of showing relative values or excellences by bringing out characteristic qualities whether similar or divergent.
What Is Comparing and Contrasting?
At their most basic, both comparing and contrasting base their evaluation on two or more subjects that share a connection.
How Do You Compare and Contrast in Writing?
To write a good compare and contrast essay, it’s best to pick two or more topics that share a meaningful connection.
What Can You Learn from a Compare and Contrast Essay?
Comparing and contrasting are essential analytical skills in academic writing. When your professor issues you with such an essay, their primary goal is to teach you how to:
How Do You Compare and Contrast in College Level Writing?
An academic compare and contrast essay looks at two or more subjects, ideas, people, or objects, compares their likeness, and contrasts their differences.
What is the purpose of comparison and contrast?
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. Comparison and contrast could be used to evaluate companies, departments, or individuals.
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 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 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 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 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 write a lens comparison?
A subject-by-subject structure can be a logical choice if you are writing what is sometimes called a “lens” comparison, in which you use one subject or item (which isn’t really your main topic) to better understand another item (which is). For example, you might be asked to compare a poem you’ve already covered thoroughly in class with one you are reading on your own. It might make sense to give a brief summary of your main ideas about the first poem (this would be your first subject, the “lens”), and then spend most of your paper discussing how those points are similar to or different from your ideas about the second.
What are some general questions about different types of things you might have to compare?
Here are some general questions about different types of things you might have to compare. These are by no means complete or definitive lists ; they’re just here to give you some ideas—you can generate your own questions for these and other types of comparison. You may want to begin by using the questions reporters traditionally ask: Who? What? Where? When? Why? How? If you’re talking about objects, you might also consider general properties like size, shape, color, sound, weight, taste, texture, smell, number, duration, and location.
What to consider when generating points of comparison?
As you generate points of comparison, consider the purpose and content of the assignment and the focus of the class. What do you think the professor wants you to learn by doing this comparison/contrast? How does it fit with what you have been studying so far and with the other assignments in the course? Are there any clues about what to focus on in the assignment itself?
What is the difference between "contrast" and "comparing"?
To compare means to explore similarities between subjects, while to contrast means to look at their differences. Both subjects of the comparison are usually in the same category, although they have their differences. For example, it can be two movies, two universities, two cars etc.
What is a compare and contrast essay?
Compare and Contrast Essay: Full Writing Guide. Compare and contrast essays are academic papers in which a student analyses two or more subjects with each other. To compare means to explore similarities between subjects, while to contrast means to look at their differences. Both subjects of the comparison are usually in the same category, ...
How to make a compare and contrast essay flow better?
To make your compare and contrast essay flow better, we recommend using special transition words and phrases. They will add variety and improve your paper overall.
How to make a good comparison essay?
Make good use of your personal experiences, books, scholarly articles, magazine and newspaper articles, movies, or anything that will make your argument sound credible. For example, in your essay, if you were to compare attending college on campus vs. distance-based learning, you could include your personal experiences of being a student, and how often students show up to class on a daily basis. You could also talk about your experience taking online classes, which makes your argument about online classes credible as well.
How to make a list of similarities and differences?
When you are set with your topic, the first thing you should do is grab a piece of paper and make a list with two columns: similarities and differences. Jot down key things first, the most striking ones. Then try to look at the subjects from a different angle, incorporate your imagination.
How to compare apples and oranges?
Oranges have thick peel, originally from India, and are tropical fruit. These characteristics pertain only to oranges and should be in the part of the circle that does not overlap. For the same section on apples, we put thin peel, originated in Turkey or Kazakhstan, and moderate to subtropical. In the section that overlaps, let’s put that they are both fruit, can be juiced, and grow on trees. This simple, yet good example illustrates how the same concept can be applied to many other complicated topics with additional points of comparison and contrast.
Why can't a topic be drastically different?
When choosing a topic for your essay, remember that subjects cannot be drastically different, because there would be little to no points of comparison (similarities). The same goes for too many similarities, which will result in poor contrasts. For example, it is better to write about two composers, rather than a composer and a singer.
