This document discusses comparison and contrast writing. It explains that comparison shows similarities between things while contrast shows differences. When writing a comparison and contrast essay, it is important to establish a basis for comparison by choosing things that have enough in common to justify comparing. The thesis statement should identify the subjects being compared or contrasted and the point being made about them. There are two main methods for structuring a comparison and contrast essay - the block method which discusses each subject separately paragraph by paragraph, or the point-by-point method which alternates between subjects for each point being made.

1. COMPARE AND
CONTRASTWRITING
MICHELLE MARIE BAYONA

2. What is comparison and contrast?
• Comparison shows how two or more things are similar
• Contrast shows how two or more things are different
• In most writing situations, the two related processes are used together

3. Establishing a basis for comparison
• When two things are very similar, it is the contrasts that may be worth
writing about
• The two things to be compared must have enough in common to justify the
comparison.
• In making comparisons, you should move beyond the obvious

4. Formulating aThesis Statement
• Identify not only the subjects to be compared and contrasted in your essay, but the
point you will make about them.
• Also indicate whether you will focus on similarities or differences, or balance the
two.
• For example:
• “Although Melville’s Moby-Dick and London’sThe SeaWolf are both about the sea,
the minor characters, major characters, and themes of Moby-Dick establish its
greater complexity.”

5. Structuring a Comparison and Contrast Essay
Block method (subject by subject)
- Write a separate paragraphs about each
subject, but you discuss the same points for
both subjects.
- - Good for short, uncomplicated papers.
• Point by point method
• - Good for longer, more complex papers
• - Make a point about one subject, and then
follow it with a comparable point about the
other subject.
• - Alternating pattern