Explanation of Compare and Contrast Paragrapah

Explanation of Compare and Contrast Paragrapah

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.
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.

Criteria for comparison/contrast

When making comparisons or contrasts, it is important to be clear what criteria you are using. Study the following example, which contrasts two people. Here the criteria are unclear.

  • Aaron is tall and strong. In contrast, Bruce is handsome and very intelligent.

Although this sentence has a contrast transition, the criteria for contrasting are not the same. The criteria used for Aaron are height (tall) and strength (strong). We would expect similar criteria to be used for Bruce (maybe he is short and weak), but instead we have new criteria, namely appearance (handsome) and intelligence (intelligent). This is a common mistake for students when writing this type of paragraph or essay. Compare the following, which has much clearer criteria (contrast structure words shown in bold).

  • Aaron and Bruce differ in four ways. The first difference is height. Aaron is tall, while Bruce is short. A second difference is strength. Aaron is strong. In contrast, Bruce is weak. A third difference is appearance. Aaron, who is average looking, differs from Bruce, who is handsome. The final difference is intelligence. Aaron is of average intelligence. Bruce, on the other hand, is very intelligent.


Re: Explanation of Compare and Contrast Paragrapah

oleh Deasy Gayatri -
Assalamualaikum Miss,

so we can compare 2 things using the example words if someone wants you to make comparison to your friends or family, we could use the compare and comparison words.
this is the examples that I make.
1. I like not only fried rice but also fried noodles.
2. I love to compare my mom and her sisters, of course, their face similar to my mom however they are slightly different.
3. On the other hand, I and my sister have the similarity, both of us like to sing and cook.
4. to be the same as my brother, he just the female version of me like people said, however in my opinion we are unlike.
5. my sister similar to my father, both of the them just like twins in real life.

thank you

Re: Explanation of Compare and Contrast Paragrapah

oleh Haikal Kurnia Cipta -
Example :
capacity and type of engine that is widely used in motor variants, both in Japan and Europe. Japanese motorcycles have different engine capacitance variants from European motorcycles. European motorcycles use 125 engines more than 150 cc motorcycles from Japan. Regarding the quality of the engine components of both Japanese and Italian motorcycles, Japanese motorcycles are rated better than the quality of engines owned by European motorcycles. However, European motorcycles are known to have better endurance.