Bahasa Inggris 2|2|2TI-P3: Explanation of Comparison and Contrast Essay

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.

In a compare and contrast paragraph, you write about the similarities and differences between two or more people, places, things, or ideas.

Example:
Write a paragraph comparing the weather in Vancouver and Halifax.

The following words can help you to write a good compare and contrast paragraph:

Similarities	Example

is similar to	Spring weather in Vancouver is similar to spring weather in Halifax.
both	Both Vancouver and Halifax have rain in the spring.
also	Halifax also has a rainy spring season.
too	Halifax has a rainy spring season, too.
as well	As well, Halifax has rainy spring season.

Differences	Example

on the other hand	On the other hand, winter is much colder in Halifax.
however	However, winter is much colder in Halifax.
but	Vancouver has a mild winter, but Halifax has a cold one.
in contrast to	In contrast to Vancouver, Halifax has a cold winter.
differs from	Halifax differs from Vancouver by having a cold winter.
while	While Vancouver has a mild winter, Halifax has a cold winter.
unlike	Unlike Halifax, Vancouver doesn't get much snow

Pelajaran ini belum siap untuk diambil.