The document offers an overview of comparing and contrasting essays, outlining their basic characteristics including clear purpose, shared interests of subjects, and the importance of a balanced approach. It discusses two main methods of organization: point by point and subject by subject, detailing their advantages and disadvantages. The document also provides examples of transitions for comparison and contrast, along with a note for further information.

1. Comparing/Contrasting
Essay Overview

2. C/C Basic Characteristics (1)
Has Clear Purpose

3. Purpose Of C/C?
Express Ideas
Inform
Persuade
Show Preference

4. C/C Basic Characteristics (2)
Subjects Have Enough
Shared Interests

5. Basis of Comparison
At Least One
Common Interest

6. C/C Basic Characteristics (3)
Comparison Only
Contrast Only
Both Compare and
Contrast

7. Remember...
Treat Subjects Fairly
BALANCE

8. C/C Basic Characteristics (4)
Make A Point

9. Three Functions of THESIS
Identify Subjects (Topics)
Suggests Compare, Contrast,
or Both
States Main Points

10. C/C Basic Characteristics (5)
Provides Significant and
Relevant Details
Stays ON TOPIC!

11. C/C Basic Characteristics (6)
Uses One of Two
Methods
Point by Point
Subject by Subject (Block)

12. Point by Point
Going back and forth
between the two topics
noting the similarities or
differences between
them

13. Point by Point
Point 1
Topic A
Topic B
Point 2
Topic A
Topic B

14. Layout
Size
Building
Materials
Landscape
House A
House B
House A
House A
House A
House B
House B
House B

15. Point by Point Outline
I. Layout
A. House A
B. House B
II. Size
A. House A
B. House B
III. Building Materials
A. House A
B. House B

16. Advantages
•Good for long
essays
•Good with
headings
•Needs clear
transitions
•Paragraphs
can become
too long
Disadvantages

17. Subject by Subject (Block)
Covering all the points of
one side and then
covering all the points of
the other side

18. Block
Topic A
Point 1
Point 2
Topic B
Point 1
Point 2

19. House
A
Layout
Size
Material
Landscape
House
B
Layout
Size
Material
Landscape

20. Block Outline
I. House A
A. Layout
B. Size
C. Material
D. Landscape
II. House B
A. Layout
B. Size
C. Material
D. Landscape

21. Advantages
•Unification of
Details
•Good for
shorter
assignments
Information can
be difficult to
remember
Not good for
complicated
information
Disadvantages

22. Compare the TWO
I. House A
A. Layout
B. Size
C. Material
D. Landscape
II. House B
A. Layout
B. Size
C. Material
D. Landscape
I. Layout
A. House A
B. House B
II. Size
A. House A
B. House B
III.Building Materials
A. House A
B. House B

23. Transitions To Compare
as well as
in comparison
in the same way
likewise
also
equally
important
related to
similarly
similar to
comparatively

24. Transitions To Contrast:
although
despite
in contrast
however
contradictory
conversely
instead
unlike
dissimilar to
even so
on the contrary
on the other hand
notwithstanding
in another way
nevertheless

25. Small Transitions / Big
Transitions
One Word
Usually Adverb
Can be
anywhere in
paragraph
Phrase or
Clause
Usually TS
First refers to
previous, second
to following

26. Small Transitions
Likewise, apples are a fruit.
In contrast, apples are red.
They are also crunchy.

27. Big Transitions
In contrast to carrots, apples
are a fruit.
Despite the many similarities
between apples and oranges,
there are also important
differences.

29. For more information, contact
Catherine Coleman at
Coleman’s Classroom
www.clmn.net
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