Transcript compare and contrast introduction


Writing to
Compare
and/or
Contrast
© 2014 The English Teacher’s Pet
Look at the following sentences:
○
Although soul and hip-hop both spring from
the same African-American roots, they are
very different musical expressions.
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In my family, personality traits are said to skip
a generation, so that might explain why my
grandfather and I have so much in common.
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What is the purpose of each? How do you
know?
The difference between comparing and
contrasting:
○
To compare is to highlight similarities between
otherwise very different things, ideas, people.
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To contrast is to highlight differences between
otherwise very similar things, ideas, people.
In either case…
○
Comparing/Contrasting is NOT pointing out the
obvious similarities or differences—those things
most people already know.
○
Whether a person is comparing or contrasting,
ultimately, one’s concern in writing should be to
provide INSIGHT into a SIGNIFICANT TOPIC.
How to organize a Comparison or
Contrast essay
There are 2 patterns of organization for Compare
and Contrast essays
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Block Method:
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AAA BBB—discuss ALL of one, then ALL of the
other
Best for short essays/paragraphs, or when the
topics being compared or contrasted are not
complex issues.
How to organize a Comparison or
Contrast essay
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Point-by-Point Method
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AB AB AB
Breaks down essay by points of comparison or
contrast, and looks at each item relative to that
point before moving on to the next
Best for longer, more complex issues
These two methods CAN be combined in an essay
that BOTH compares and contrasts
The most important thing
to keep in mind when
you set out to compare
or contrast is that you
are, ultimately, crafting
an argument.
Creating a claim
○
The argument that you have on a given subject
○ For example your thesis (or main idea) when
writing about “What does Freedom mean to you?”
○ Must be supported with facts
○ Evidence from the text
○ That evidence must be explain in your analysis--you
must provide the reasons or underlying beliefs that
connect your evidence to the claim. These beliefs and
explanations are known as the WARRENTS or
BACKING to your argument
Creating a counterclaim
○
Consider the opposite side
○ Make a valid argument against your side.
○ Doing this makes your own argument
stronger--it shows the reader that you have
considered all sides BEFORE settling on
your own position
Turn against your argument and challenge it, then
reaffirm your position.
The opposing side
○ Ask these questions:
○ Who might disagree with my position?
Why?
○ What reasons do people have for
disagreeing with me?
○ What evidence would support an opposing
argument?
Rebuttal
○
Turn back to your original position
○ Respond to and refute (disprove) issues
presented in the counterclaim
○ Doing this reminds the reader that the
original claim is stronger and more logical
than the counterclaim
Key phrases for the counterclaim and
rebuttal
One might object that…
but...
It might seem that…
yet...
It’s true that…
Admittedly…
Of course..
however…
nonetheless...
still....
Example
○ Claim: “More American are choosing low-carb diets
because the media promotes low-carb diets as the
new way to a healthier lifestyle.”
○ Counter Claim: “Some Americans do not watch
television commercials because they own a DVR or
Tivo, but most Americans are exposed to other
forms of advertising in magazines, newspapers, and
highway billboards.”
Organization of a well-crafted
argument
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•
Introduction
Claim 1
Claim 2
Counterclaim
Rebuttal
Conclusion
Be cautious!
• It is true that counter arguments enrich
argumentative writing
○ However, either adding a weak counter argument
or overdoing it can cause a negative response
from your audience
Creating an effective claim
Claim: Question:
It is better for students to go to school year round,
rather than for nine months at a time.
○
Try to come up with as many warrants or
reasons as to why this claim is either true or
untrue. Then, come up with ideas for the “other
side”, or counterclaim.
Some Transitions for Comparison…
○
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Also
In addition to
As well as
Similarly
Both/Neither
Each of…
In the same way…
Some Transitions for Contrast…
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Although
Whereas
However
In contrast to
While
Unlike
Conversely
Some last thoughts on Comparison and
Contrast
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○
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Make certain your topic for comparison and contrast
allow for MEANINGFUL discussion and analysis.
Avoid BOTH “apples and apples” AND “apples and
oranges”
Decide on a clear organizational pattern that will
showcase your ideas/points
Be sure that you have compared/contrasted the same
points for each item
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