Compare OR Contrast


The name "compare-and-contrast" name is misleading. While some believe that such a paragraph must present comparisons and contrasts, the best compare-and-contrast paragraphs focus on similarities or differences, not both.

Compare-and-contrast writing is often used in advertising, to compare two cars or telephones. Whatever subject you choose, you should focus on the three most important similarities or differences. If you are writing about differences, you need to mention the similarities in your topic sentence. Something like:

Apple and Android cellphones are among the most expensive appliances owned by many people, but few are aware of the three key differences between them.

To make things more complex, the compare-and-contrast paragraph comes in two forms, product-by-product (block method) or feature-by-feature (feature method):

The product-by-product paragraph is arranged by product (iPhone/Android), person (Trump/Obama), place (Greece/Italy) or thing (Trees/Bushes).
For example:

  iPhone

1) Screen Resolution
2) Camera
3) Price

  Android

1) Screen Resolution
2) Camera
3) Price

In the feature-by-feature organization, you could focus on the differences (or similarities) or each feature:

  Feature 1: Screen Resolution

    iPhone
    Android

  Feature 2: Camera

    iPhone
    Android

  Feature 3: Price

    iPhone
    Android

So you have two decisions:

1) Will you be writing about the similarities or differences?
2) Will you use the Block Method or the Feature Method?


EssayMaps.com

Compare-and-Contrast


The name "compare-and-contrast" name is also misleading. While some believe that such and essay must present comparisons and contrasts, the best compare-and-contrast paragraphs or eassys focus on similarities or differences, not both.

Because of that, you have to decide which you will be doing, comparing or contrasting.

To make things more complex, the compare-and-contrast paragraph or essay come in two forms, product-by-product or feature-by-feature:

The product-by-product essay is arranged by product (Android/iPhone), person (Trump/Obama), place (Greece/Italy) or thing (Trees/Bushes).

In product-by-product organization, the similarities (or difference) the paragraph or essay would focus on the three major features of one product, say the Android (screen resolution/camera/price) and then the three same features of the iPhone:

  Android (Product 1)
    Screen Resolution
    Camera

    Price

  iPhone (Product 1)
    Screen Resolution
    Camera

    Price

In feature-by-feature organization, you could focus on the differences (or similarities) or each feature:

  Screen Resolution (Feature 1)
    Android
    iPhone

  Camera (Feature 2)
    Android
    iPhone

  Price (Feature 3)
    Android
    iPhone

Before you start a compare-and-contrast paragraph or essay, you have to decided whether you will be writing about similarities (comparisons) or differences (contrasts) and whether you will use the product-by-product or feature-by-feature organization.

If you are writing an essay on the differences between two products, you have to briefly mention the similarities in your topic sentence or introduction. For instance, you might say, "The Android Galaxy and the iPhone X look extremely similar, but have three critical differences."

Compare-and-contast writing is often used in advertising, to compare two cars or telephones. Following the format of the hamburger paragraph or essay, these essays focus on the least important feature first and then build to the most important feature.

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