CC Brainstorming

1. Comparison & Contrast
BRAINSTORMING

2. Tips for Brainstorming Topics:
• You need to have two equal topics.
• The subjects should have something in common.
• The subjects must also have some differences.
• You need to have enough information on each topic to
make your comparison.

3. Which of these are good topics for
Comparison & Contrast Essay?
Think for a moment about these topics:
1. Living in a house / living in an apartment
2.International travel / 747 airplanes
3.The weather in Toronto / tourist
attractions in Toronto
4. Chinese food / Mexican food
Check your answers on the next slide

4. Which one is a better topic for
Comparison & Contrast?
1. Living in a house / living in an apartment
-compare/contrast : cost / privacy / space
2.International travel / 747 airplanes
- these are not equal
3.The weather in Toronto / tourist attractions in Toronto
- these are not equal
4. Chinese food / Mexican food
-compare/contrast : ingredients / taste / cooking style

5. Graphic Organizer
• For this type of essay we can use a Venn diagram or a
Comparison-Contrast Chart. You probably know the
Venn from math:
Different Different
A
l
i
k
e

6. Brainstorming: Venn Diagram
Topic: Contrast two of your favorite restaurants
.
Olive Garden Maggiano’s (Little Italy)
•Dress code
•Advance reservation
•Difficult to park
•Takes 2-3 hours
•Expensive
•Friendly staff
•Conveniently located
•Italian restaurants
•Casual dress
•No reservations
•Plenty of free parking
•Takes 30 – 45.min.
•Affordable
Difference Difference
Similarity

7. Graphic Organizer
• In a Word document, the Venn diagram circles are
often challenging to use and a comparison-contrast
chart works better.
• You learned about the comparison/contrast chart in
ESL-0201.

8. Comparison-Contrast Chart Example
Characterist
ic
Subject A: Weddings in U.S. Subject B: Weddings in
Belgium
Dress Bride wears white
Groom wears suit
Guests’ dress depends (formal,
casual, evening wear, …)
Bride wears white
Groom wears suit
Guests dress business casual
Party Rented space
Minimal decorations
Simple food
Dancing
Ends around 10pm
Rented space
Decorations very important
Fancy food
Dancing
Ends around 3-5am
Ceremony Church wedding is legal
Can have justice of the peace
Civil ceremony is legal (justice
of the peace)
Can also have church but not
legal

9. Comparison-Contrast Chart Example
Point of
Comparison/Contrast
Topic 1: Topic 2: Similar OR
Different
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Another way to organize this chart is by listing the points in the left column and
then have a column for subject 1 and subject 2

10. Comparison-Contrast Example
Point of
Comparison/Contras
t
Topic 1:
George Washington
University
Topic 2:
University of Maryland
Similar OR
Different
1.Cost
$50K-75K $18K-27K Different
2.Majors & Programs ● Political Science
● Public Administration
● Law School
● Medical School
● Computer Science
● Business
● Biology
● Criminology
Different
3. Location
Washington DC Maryland Different
4.Graduation rate 80.6% 84.5% Similar
5.XXX
6. XXX