This document provides guidance on how to write a comparison and contrast essay. It explains that a comparison highlights similarities, while a contrast focuses on differences. Good topics compare or contrast two places, things, or ideas. The introduction should introduce the topic and hint at similarities and differences. The body can directly compare similarities and differences point-by-point or subject-by-subject. A conclusion restates the thesis or reviews the key points. Choosing an appropriate basis of comparison and using transition words to connect ideas are also discussed.

1. Comparison and Contrast
Essay
SHASHI KAYASTHA KASPAL

2. Tell three similarity and three differences

4. What ?
The two places, things and ideas shown similar or different
 Comparison : How the things are similar .
 Contrast : How the two things are different .
 Can be used separately .. Most of the times they are used together

5. Example
 Introduce THE TOPIC and add compare and contrast words like resemble , differences
etc.
 Whether we practice washing dishes or laundry, we can feel free of stresses and be
physically healthy.
 Allopathy and homeopathy are quite different.
 There are several characteristics which distinguish plants from animals
 The weather in the fall and spring can be similar.
Example from book pg 413
file:///C:/Users/Shashi%20Kaspal/Desktop/bbs%20new/IELTSbooks_____________Pattern_for_
College_Writing.pdf

6. Practice making topic sentence
 Lockdown and Nepal Banda
 Living in poverty and being rich
 Human and Animal

7. Analogy
An analogy is the special feature of comparison.
 compares two things that are mostly different from each other but have some
traits in common.
 Find the Analogy of High school and shopping mall

8. Discussion
 What are the similarities and differences between mitosis and meiosis? (biology).
 Discuss the relative merits of establishing a partnership or setting up a
corporation. (business law).
 Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of bilingual education. (education)

9. Find the basis of comparison
 Find the basis of comparison: The two things have enough in common to justify
the comparison
 It is better if the comparison goes beyond the obvious .
 Essay in analogy between bee and people can be absurd if you look at the surficial
difference because they differ in species, physical structure and intelligence.
But:
So focus on minute similarities such as both stay in complex social structure , role
etc.

10. Continued ….
 When subject is too similar focus on differences
 When the subject is too different , emphasize the similarity
 Select the point of discussion : compare and contrast two novel
Main character
Minor character
Theme
Avoid Using Two
Irrelevant Things

11. Developing Thesis Statement
 Tell the audience what should they expect
 Identify both the subject and the point you are going to make about them.
 It should indicate whether you are going to concentrate on similarities or differences or
both.
 Present it in dependent clause.
 Example:
 Despite the fact that television and radio are distinctly different media, they use similar
strategies to appeal to their audiences.
 Although Melville’s Moby-Dick and London’s The Sea Wolf are both about the sea, the
minor characters, major characters, and themes of Moby-Dick establish its greater
complexity.

12. More examples
 Thought both potatoes and onions are vegetable, they are

13. Structure
Introduction Body Conclusion
Body
Using subject- wise- subject comparison.
Using point- wise- point comparison

14. Subject to subject
1. Though grading system has many positive impact on the students psychology , both grading and
percentage system follows similar processes in the context of Nepal.
1. Percentage system PROCESS
 A. Teaching
 B. Examination
2. Grading System PROCESS
A. Teaching
B. Examination
Appropriate for short paper

15. Point to point
 Though bee and human are different species with different level of intelligence,
they share common traits like staying in complex social network and taking
particular role.
1. Staying in complex social Network
Bee
Human
2. Taking Particular Role
Be and Human
Conclusion: Restatement of thesis or review of key points

16.  Thesis statement — Although Melville’s MobyDick and London’s The Sea Wolf are
both about the sea, the minor characters, major characters, and themes of Moby-
Dick establish its greater complexity.
 Minor characters Book 1: The Sea Wolf Book 2: Moby-Dick
 Major characters Book 1: The Sea Wolf Book 2: Moby-Dick
 Themes Book 1: The Sea Wolf Book 2: Moby-Dick
Conclusion: Restatement of thesis or review of key points
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bs0scle0QMU

17. Using Transition
Transition words play vital role to indicate the similarity and difference clearly
Comparison
•in comparison
•like
• in the same way
• likewise
• just as . . . so
•similarly
•
Contrast
•although
•nevertheless
• but
•conversely
•on the contrary
•despite
•on the one hand . . . on the other hand
•even though
• still
• however
•unlike
• in contrast
•whereas
•instead
• yet

18.  Thank You
Reference:
Mandell, S. R. &Kirszner, L. G. (2012) Pattern for college writing: A rhetorical reader
and guide. Boston: Newyork