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    3. compare _ contrast

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    Ragab Teaima

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    3. compare _ contrast

    Uploaded by

    Ragab Teaima
    2 views7 pages

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    © © All Rights Reserved

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    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
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    2 views7 pages

    3. compare _ contrast

    Uploaded by

    Ragab Teaima

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 7

    What are compare & contrast essays?

    To compare is to examine how things are similar, while to contrast is to


    see how they differ. A compare and contrast essay therefore looks at the
    similarities of two or more objects, and the differences. This essay type
    is common at university, where lecturers frequently test your
    understanding by asking you to compare and contrast two theories, two
    methods, two historical periods, two characters in a novel, etc.
    Sometimes the whole essay will compare and contrast, though
    sometimes the comparison or contrast may be only part of the essay. It
    is also possible, especially for short exam essays, that only the
    similarities or the differences, not both, will be discussed. See the
    examples below.

    1
    Example essay

    Below is a compare and contrast essay. This essay uses the point-by-point
    structure. Click on the different areas (in the shaded boxes to the right) to
    highlight the different structural aspects in this essay, i.e. similarities,
    differences, and structure words. This will highlight not simply the
    paragraphs, but also the thesis statement and summary, as these repeat the
    comparisons and contrasts contained in the main body.

    Title: There have been many advances in technology over the past fifty years.
    These have revolutionised the way we communicate with people who are far
    away. Compare and contrast methods of communication used today with those
    which were used in the past.

    Before the advent of computers and modern technology, people communicating over
    long distances used traditional means such as letters and the telephone. Nowadays
    we have a vast array of communication tools which can complete this task, ranging
    from email to instant messaging and video calls. While the present and previous
    means of communication are similar in their general form, they differ in regard to
    their speed and the range of tools available.

    One similarity between current and previous methods of communication relates to


    the form of communication. In the past, both written forms such as letters were
    frequently used, in addition to oral forms such as telephone calls. Similarly, people
    nowadays use both of these forms. Just as in the past, written forms of
    communication are prevalent, for example via email and text messaging. In addition,
    oral forms are still used, including the telephone, mobile phone, and voice messages
    2
    via instant messaging services.
    However, there are clearly many differences in the way we communicate over
    long distances, the most notable of which is speed. This is most evident in
    relation to written forms of communication. In the past, letters would take
    days to arrive at their destination. In contrast, an email arrives almost
    instantaneously and can be read seconds after it was sent. In the past, if it
    was necessary to send a short message, for example at work, a memo could
    be passed around the office, which would take some time to circulate. This is
    different from the current situation, in which a text message can be sent
    immediately.

    Another significant difference is the range of communication methods. Fifty


    years ago, the tools available for communicating over long distances were
    primarily the telephone and the letter. By comparison, there are a vast array
    of communication methods available today. These include not only the
    telephone, letter, email and text messages already mentioned, but also video
    conferences via software such as Skype or mobile phone apps such as
    WeChat, and social media such as Facebook and Twitter.

    In conclusion, methods of communication have greatly advanced over the


    past fifty years. While there are some similarities, such as the forms of
    communication, there are significant differences, chiefly in relation to
    the speed of communication and the range of communication tools available.
    There is no doubt that technology will continue to progress in future, and the
    3
    advanced tools which we use today may one day also become outdated
    Structure

    There are two main ways to structure a compare and contrast essay,
    namely using a block or a point-by-point structure. For
    the block structure, all of the information about one of the objects
    being compared/contrasted is given first, and all of the information
    about the other object is listed afterwards.

    Block Point-by-point

    Introduction Introduction
    Object 1 - Point 1 Point 1
    Object 1 - Point 2
    Object 1 - Point 3 Object 1 ➤ Object 2
    Transition sentence/paragraph
    Point 2
    Object 2 - Point 1
    Object 2 - Point 2 Object 1 ➤ Object 2
    Object 2 - Point 3
    Conclusion
    Point 3

    Object 1 ➤ Object 2

    Conclusion

    4
    Compare and Contrast Structure Words
    Compare and contrast structure words are transition
    signals which show the similarities or differences. Below are
    some common examples.
    Compare
     Similarly
     Likewise
     also
     both... and...
     not only... but also...
     neither... nor...
     just like (+ noun)
     similar to (+ noun)
     to be similar (to)
     to be the same as
     to be alike
     to compare (to/with)

    Examples
     Computers can be used to communicate easily, for example via
    email. Similarly/Likewise, the mobile phone is a convenient tool for
    communication.
     Both computers and mobile phones can be used to communicate
    easily with other people.
     Just like the computer, the mobile phone can be used to
    communicate easily with other people.
     The computer is similar to the mobile phone in the way it can be
    used for easy communication.

    5
    Contrast
     However
     In contrast
     In comparison
     By comparison
     On the other hand
     while
     whereas
     but
     to differ from
     to be different (from)
     to be dissimilar to
     to be unlike

    Examples
     Computers, although increasingly small, are not always easy to carry
    from one place to another. However, the mobile phone can be
    carried with ease.
     Computers are generally not very portable, whereas the mobile
    phone is.
     Computers differ from mobile phones in their lack of portability.
     Computers are unlike mobile phones in their lack of portability.

    6
     Checklist

     Below is a checklist for compare and contrast essays. Use it


    to check your own writing, or get a peer (another student) to
    help you.
    Item OK? Comment
    The essay is a comparison
    and contrast essay
    An appropriate structure is
    used, either block or point-
    by-point
    Compare and
    contrast structure
    words are used accurately
    The criteria for
    comparison/contrast are
    clear
    The essay has clear thesis
    statement
    Each paragraph has a
    clear topic sentence
    The essay has strong
    support (facts, reasons,
    examples, etc.)
    The conclusion includes
    a summary of the main
    points

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