Chapter 7: Comparison or Contrast Paragraphs

Questions on the models:

1. Paragraph 2.
2. Paragraph 1.
3. The left and right sides of your brain process information in different ways.
4. For example, a left-brained automobile shopper will consider a car’s cost, fuel
efficiency, and resale value, whereas a right-brained shopper bases a decision on how
shiny the chrome is, how soft the seats are, and how smoothly the car drives.
5. The hiring decision is difficult because both applicants are equally well qualified.
6. 4 similarities and 2 differences.

Put the information in the appropriate boxes:

Accommodations:

- Alaska:
1. The quality of hotels in Alaska is quite good.
2. Accommodations in Alaska vary from basic to luxury.
- Hawaii:
1. There is a wide range of excellent hotels and condos in Hawaii, from luxury
and budget priced.

Climate:

- Alaska:
2. The temperature is perfect in Alaska during summer.
3. It seldom rains in the summer in Alaska.
4. There is no humidity in Alaska.
- Hawaii:
1. It often rains during the summer in Hawaii.
2. It can be hot and humid in Hawaii in the summer.

Natural beauty:

- Alaska:
1. The glaciers in Alaska are awesome.
2. Alaska has the Chugach Mountains and Mount McKinley, the highest
mountain in North America.
- Hawaii:
1. Hawaii has Volcano National Park and Waimea Canyon.
2. The beaches in Hawaii are among the most beautiful in the world.

Writing the report:

Best place to visit in the vocation between Alaska and Hawaii

Alaska and Hawaii are the best places for your next trip in the vocation this year. You
may be not sure which places that you should choose among them. The followings are the
three main point that you should consider before choosing one of them. First, the places that
you can visit. The glaciers in Alaska are awesome, and Alaska has the Chugach Mountains
and Mount McKinley, the highest mountains in North America. Hawaii, on the other hand,
has Volcano National Park and Waimea Canyon, and the beaches in Hawaii are among the
most beautiful in the world. Second thing that you should consider is climate. The
temperature is perfect, and it seldom rains in Alaska during summer, whereas in Hawaii, it
often rains during the summer. Moreover, there is no humidity in Alaska, whereas Hawaii
can be hot and humid in the summer. Last thing that you should think about is
accommodations. The quality of hotels in Alaska is quite good, and it vary from basic to
luxury, whereas Hawaii, on the other hand, has a wide range of excellent hotels and condos
in Hawaii, from luxury and budget priced. Of course, there is no 100 percent best place does
exist, so you should consider choosing one of these two place base on what you prefer to visit
in the vocation.

Question on the model:

1. Although U.S. English and British English are mutually understandable languages,
but there are quite a few differences. Mostly on differences.
2. Comparison or contrast signals:
Although, but, whereas, Also, in contrast.
3. Other transition signals:
For example, One difference, A second area different types of schools, Finally, all in
all.
4. Logical division of ideas.

Comparison Signals:

Sentence Connectors:

1. Sentence Connectors:
 A. Similarly, likewise: Sentence connectors can appear in various places in a
sentence.
Tokyo is the financial hear of Japan. Similarly/ Likewise, New York is the center of
banking and finance in the United States.
B. Also often appears in the middle or at the end of a sentence. Don’t use also with a
semicolon.
Tokyo is a major financial center. New York is a center of banking and finance
also.
C. Too usually comes at the end of a sentence. It often appears together with the
coordinating conjunction and. Some writers put a comma before too at the end of
a sentence, but it is not required.
Tokyo is a center of style and fashion; New York is, too.
Tokyo is a center of style and fashion, and New is too.
2. Coordinating Conjunctions
And … (too) see above ©.
3. Subordinating Conjunctions:
As is a subordinating word. It begins a dependent clause. The word just makes it
stronger. Notice that you use a comma even when the independent clause comes first.
This is an exception to the usual rule.
Tokyo is trendy and hip, as/ just as New York is.
4. Others
A. (Similar, equal, the same). These words act like adjectives; that is, they describe
nouns.
Tokyo’s and New York’s traffic problems are similar/ equal / the same.
Tokyo and New York have similar/ equal/ the same traffic problems.
B. Similar to/ equal to / (just) like/ the same as: These words act like prepositions.
They come in front of nouns.
Tokyo’s traffic is similar to/ (just) like / the same as New York’s.
Like New York, Tokyo has traffic problems.
C. Equally: is an adverb. It describes an adjective (crowded). An adverb can also
describe a verb or another adverb.
Tokyo and New York City are equally crowded.
5. Paired Conjunctions: are always used together. Notice that the word that comes after
the second conjunction must be the same part of speech (noun, verb, prepositional
phrase, etc.) as the word that comes after first conjunction. This is an important rule
in English and is called the rule of parallelism.
A. Both … and: The two cities are both trendy and hip.
 B. Not only … but also: The two cities are not only trendy but also hip.
The two cities are both trendy(adjective) and hip. (adjective)
(wrong) The two cities are both noisy (adjective) and have too many people. (verb
phrases)
Both New York City and Tokyo have outstanding international restaurants.
(nouns)
Tokyoites and New Yorkers can both eat and drink in any kind of restaurant.
(verbs)
The two cities have both positive and negative features. (adjectives)
Not only Tokyoites but also New Yorkers dress fashionably. (nouns)
You can see joggers not only in Central Park but also in Hibuya Park.
(prepositional phrases)

Practice 1: Comparison Signals

C. Complete the following sentences.

1. Both in Tokyo and in New York City, the art museums display many famous
masterpieces.
2. Both overcrowded subways and traffic are the problems in Tokyo and New
York City.
3. You can buy designer clothes not only in boutiques but also in a supermarket.
4. New Yorkers and Tokyoites can not only see a movie but can also eat out at any
time.
5. In the summer, the weather in Tokyo and in New York is both hot and humid.
6. The Ginza and Fifth Avenue shopping districts have both fine jewelry stores
and fashion stores.
D. Combine the idea in the two sentences, using the comparison structure word in
parentheses.
1. Magazine and newspaper advertising information about new products to the
public. Similarly, Radio, television, and Internet ads tell the public what’s new.
2. Like newspapers and magazines, radio and television need advertising to pay
their costs.
3. The media reach millions of people around the world. Similarly, The Internet
reaches people everywhere.
4. Most people read daily newspaper just like most people listen to the radio or
watch television every day.
5. Printed pictures and Video pictures are equally powerful advertising media.
Contrast Signals Point Out Differences

Sentence connectors: in contrast, on the other hand, however: connects two independent
clauses.

1. Most baby animals can walk within a few hours of birth. In contrast/ On the other
hand/ However, a human baby needs about 12 months to learn this skill.

Coordinating Conjunctions:

A. Use but when the ideas are exact opposites.

1. The language center is on the left side of the brains of the right-handed people, but it
is on the right side of the left-handed and ambidextrous people.
B. Use yet when one idea is a surprising or unexpected continuation of the other idea. It
is also possible to use but.
1. The left side of the brains controls login and reasoning, yet it also controls
language.

Subordinating Conjunctions:

A. Use while and whereas when the ideas are exact opposites. While and whereas can
begin either clause. Always use a comma even when the independent clause comes
first. This is an exception to the usual rule.
1. I have brown eyes, while/ whereas my brother’s eyes are green.
B. Use although, even though, or though when one idea is surprising or unexpected
continuation of the other idea. Although, even though, and though can sometimes
(but not always) begin either clause.
1. My grandfather is the wisest man in our town although/ even though/ though he
never finished high school.
2. Although/ even though/ though he never finished high school, my grandfather is
the wisest man in our town.

Other: From and unlike are both prepositions. Put a noun or noun phrase after them.
Differently is an adverb. It describes the verbs think and learn.

1. The way left-brained people think and learn is different from the way right-brained
people do.
2. Unlike left-brainers, right-brainers often know the answer to a math problem without
knowing how they got it.
3. Left-brained people think and learn differently from the way right-brained people do.
4. Differ (from) (in) is a verb.
Left-brain and right-brain people differ in the way they think and learn.
Practice 2:

A:

B:

1. Mary likes to go out at night. Jin prefers quiet evenings at home.

a. Mary likes to go out at night, but Jin prefers quiet evenings at home.
b. Mary likes to go out at night, whereas Jin prefers quiet evenings at home.
c. Mary likes to go out at night. However, Jin prefers quiet evenings at home.
2. Fresh fruits and vegetables taste delicious. Canned ones are tasteless.
a. Fresh fruits and vegetables taste delicious, but Canned ones are tasteless.
b. Fresh fruits and vegetables taste delicious, whereas Canned ones are tasteless.
c. Fresh fruits and vegetables taste delicious. Although Canned ones are tasteless.
3. Eating well and exercising will keep you in good health. Exercising by itself will not.
a. Eating well and exercising will keep you in good health, while exercising by itself
will not.
b. Eating well and exercising will keep you in good health, but exercising by itself
will not.
c. Even though eating well and exercising will keep you in good health, exercising by
itself will not.
4. A university has a graduate school. A college usually does not.
a. A university has a graduate school, while a college usually does not.
b. A university has a graduate school even though a college usually does not.
c. A university has a graduate school differs from a college usually does not.
5. Marco will go to college on a full scholarship. Peter will have to work part time.
a. Marco will go to college on a full scholarship, whereas Peter will have to work part
time.
b. Marco will go to college on a full scholarship. Peter, on the other hand, will have
to work part time.
c. Marco will go to college on a full scholarship, yet Peter will have to work part time.
6. Medical care is free in Canada. People must pay for it in the United States.
a. Medical care is free in Canada, while people must pay for it in the United States.
b. Medical care is free in Canada is different from people in the United States must
pay for it.
c. Medical care is free in Canada, yet people must pay for it in the United States.
C. Complete the sentences of comparison or contrast
1. (But) In the United States, people drive on the right side of a road,
but in other countries, they drive on the left.
 2. (yet) Professor Rand’s first exam was easy, yet Professor John’s was so hard.
3. (although) Texting is a popular new way to communicate although it calling is
easier and reliable.
4. (whereas) Whereas everyone has access to the Internet, my grandparents do not
know how to turn a computer on.
5. (different from) The method of cooking rice in China is different from the method
of cooking rice in Cambodia.

Review the lesson:

Outline: Two Varieties of English

1. Both British and American English are mutually understandable languages.

2. But they have some difference spelling from each other.
3. The differences of vocabulary: In U.S college is university, whereas in British it is
a pre-university level.
4. The pronunciation is also quite difference between U.S and British English.

Summary Practice: Right Brain / Left Brain

There are two type of people in the world left brain and right brain. The left brain is
logical person, which mean they are more careful and accurately on what they doing and
analyses all the factors that would be involved in the situation. Right brainer, on the other
hand, is intuitive and feeling person. They do what they want to do base on their emotion
and feeling. To sum up, there is no 100 percent right-brained or left-brained. Although one
side may be stronger, and both sides work together.

Summary: Miller Medical Labs Memorandum

There are two applicants who stand out from the other. Both SW and JZ have similar
in education and working experience. SW is used to work in the library, whereas JZ have
worked in a hospital and has connection with some patients. This job is fit with JZ, but if
there is a future opening job for a lab assistant, SW would be an excellent choice for that
position.

Summary: Two Varieties of English

There are two main English languages U.S and British English. Both English can
understand each other, but they have some differences in spelling, pronunciation and some
vocabularies.

Preparing for writing Assignment:

  12 years in high school, 8 years
 6 years in primary school, 3 years in secondary school, 3 years in high school. 4 years
in secondary school, 4 years in high school.
 There 4 hours a day and 6 days per week. There are 8 hours per day and 5 days a
week.
 3 months every year in rainy season. 2 months a year in summer.
 We only study academic subjects. We study both art, sport and academic in the
school.
 We usually do not have much homework. We have to do homework 2 hours each
night.
 Yes, and No. Yes
 Yes, we have to take the exam at the end of each academic year.
 Men. Equally
 Educational teaching program. At least Bachelor degree.
 We stand up when the teacher arrives but the classroom atmosphere is not really
good, and we have a lot of student in each class. It clean and good, and we do really
need much formal things here.
 Base on exam, and the behavior of each student. (same)
 We sometimes ask the teacher, but not always. We communicate each other and raise
some idea up.
 Yes, we must. No, we don’t.
 We don’t have any sport. Yes, there is a sport clubs that we could join.
 No, Sometimes, they help the child with community work.

Writing Assignment: Two school System: Cambodia and the United States

School systems are different from one country to another country. For instance,
Cambodia’s school system is far more different from the U.S school’s system. In
Cambodia we have to spend twelve years in general education, whereas in the United
States we spend only eight years. In Cambodia, we have 6 years in primary school, 3
years in secondary school and 3 years in high school. In the United States, on the
other hand, we have 3 years in children education program, 2 years in the secondary
school and 3 years in high school. We study 4 hours each day and 6 days a week in
Cambodia is similarly to the United States that students have to study 4 hours each
but 5 days a week instead. Additionally, there are 3 months of vacation for
Cambodian’s students in rainy season every academic year, whereas 2 months in the
United States in the summer. Furthermore, Cambodia’s school system is likely more
 traditional way than in the United States. We only have academic subjects, and we
don’t have much time for doing some sports or creating something related to art,
music etc. In the United States, on the other hand, we have sport clubs which we could
play in the weekend as well as music and art classes for people who are enjoy with
those things rather than focusing for only main subjects. Lastly, Cambodian’s
teachers do not have much homework for students to do at night, while students in
the United States have to do their homework at least one or two hours each night
before they could go to sleep. To sum up, Cambodia’s school system is far different
from the modern country in the United States from education’s quality to
entertainment.

Alternative Writing Assignment: Morning People / Night People

There are two types of people who are be productive in night and morning. Morning
people like to sleep early at night and get up early in the morning to enjoy their new day.
Night people, in contrast, like to work late at night and get up late in the morning. Although,
they work in different times, but their productive are the same. Both morning and night
people can complete task on time, they also can do everything that they love. The only reason
that made them like to work in different times is life-styles. Since morning people have good
mental in the morning, and they have developed those routines in many years that would
made them align well with morning routines. Furthermore, some people are getting up in
the morning because of their jobs or duties. Some jobs are required you to work early in the
morning, whereas some jobs are required to work late at night. For example, people who
work in beer garden have to work until two or three A.M in the morning, and people who
work in the restaurant have to wake up early because they have to prepare some foods to the
customers. In conclusion, whether morning or night people, they have the same working
and living life-styles, and only one difference is they work in different time.