This document provides an overview of how to write a comparison/contrast paper. It discusses comparing two or more items that are alike, different, or both. It presents examples of things that could be compared, such as types of cars or court systems. It also discusses organizing comparisons through either a block pattern, where each item is discussed separately in paragraphs, or a point-by-point pattern, where each comparison point is discussed together. Finally, it provides some vocabulary for comparing and contrasting items, such as "similarly" and "whereas."

1. Comparison/Contrast
Paper
Karen S. Wright

2. Making comparisons
examines two or more items:
•Items alike
•Items different
•Or items that are both

3. S om e I ssues are T rivial
Whether to ord er. . .
hot, juicy p izza
or
a sub sand wich

4. Should I buy a. . .
Ford
or
Chevy?

5. C o mp a r is o n A l s o Dis c u s s e s
Un f a mil ia r T h in g s
A sportswriter
might compare:
The English sport
of rugby
American
football

6. A history teacher might compare:
France’s court system
United States court system

7. Com isons Inf l uence Im t ant Decisions
par por
What will be
your major?
engineering
chemistry
law medicine

8. Com isons M
par ust Shar e Com on Gr ound
m
T wo golfers:
D riving ab ility
P utting ab ility
S and p lay
P referred club s

9. Or g a n i zi n g a Com pa r i s on
T here are two b asic p atterns to
organize a com p arison/contrast
p ap er:
B lock P attern
Alternating P attern

10. Block Organization
In the block style of organization, each
subject is discussed one at a time and
there are at least two paragraphs.
Each section
needs to be
short.
Readers can
only remember
short pieces of
information.

11. Block Style
For an essay that compares and contrasts
writing in college and writing at work:
Subject A: Writing in College
Point 1: Audience Instructor
Point 2: Purpose To fulfill an
assignment.
Point 3: Outcomes: Feedback,
evaluation,
grade

12. Block Organization
Subject B: Writing at Work
Point 1: Audience:
Boss or customer
Point 2: Purpose :
To convey information
Point 3: Outcomes:
Follow-up action

13. Point-By Point O rganization
Point 1: A udience
C ollege: Instructor
Work: Boss
Point 2: Purpose
C ollege: To fulfill an
assignm ent
Work: To convey inform ation
Point 3: Outcomes
C ollege: Feedback, grade
Work: Follow-up action

14. Vocabulary of
Comparing/Contrasting
Although on the contrary
both on the other hand
however similarly
in contrast though
like where (whereas)
while

15. Can be as simple as comparing a
Kitten
to a
Puppy

16. C
C
O
O
N
M
T
P
R
A
A
R
S
I
T
N
I
G
N
Different Kinds of Cows G

17. Most important: be organized
and it will. . .
put a smile on your face.