Compare and

Contrast Paragraphs

What is the Purpose?

To contemplate the relationship between two

things by focusing on either:
Similarities

Differences

Comparison Paragraph

Focus on similarities between the two topics

Unity:

choose logical topics to compare

discuss only similarities

Coherence:

Create with transitions and word usage that

indicate meaning

Decide on organization method

Contrast Paragraph

Focus on differences between the two topics

Unity:

choose logical topics to contrast

discuss only differences

Coherence:

Create with transitions and word usage that

indicate meaning

Decide on organization method

Coherence through
Vocabulary

Words to indicate Contrast

Key Words:

Unlike

Different from

Despite

Coordinators:

But

Yet

Transitional Words:

However

Nevertheless

In contrast

On the other hand

Subordinators:

Although

Even though

While

Whereas

Words to indicate Comparison

Key Words:
Like
Similar to
Just like
Be the same as
Both
Neither (negative similarity)
Coordinators:
And
Transitional Words:
Similarly
Likewise
In the same way
Subordinators:
Just as

Organization Methods

By topic

Topic 1
Point

One

Point

Two

Point

Three

Topic 2
Point

One

Point

Two

Point

Three

By point
Point One
Topic 1
Topic 2
Point Two
Topic 1
Topic 2
Point Three
Topic 1
Topic 2

Example Paragraph

Gorillas and Chimpanzees

Though gorillas and chimpanzees differ in their weight, they have other physical
similarities, as well as behaviors in common. Both belong to the highest order of
mammals, the primates. This means that their genetic makeup is very similar.
Additionally, these primates are similar in height. Adult male gorillas and chimps
are generally 5 feet tall; however, it should be noted that they appear in size
because their weight is radically different.
Another physical similarity is that these primates have opposable digits on both
the hands and feet. This similarity leads to one of their behaviors in common.
Because these digits make the primates able to grasp and manipulate objects,
gorillas and chimps are able to provide shelter for their families. Chimps use
their hands to collect twigs and leaves to create soft nests in trees for their family
groups. Likewise, female and baby gorillas also sleep in trees in homemade twig
nests. Male gorillas are too heavy to sleep in the trees so they sleep at the base
of the tree that holds their family.
Diet is another similarity between the two primate groups. The image of the
fierce gorilla is softened when it is realized that they, like chimps, prefer a diet of
fruit, nuts and vegetables. These physical and behavioral similarities highlight
some of the links between two members of the primate family.
Is this a comparison or contrast paragraph? What are the points?
How is this paragraph organized? What are the words used to add to the coherence?

Another Example
My hometown and my college town have several things in
common. First, my hometown, Burnsville, is a small town. It has a
population of only about 10,000 people. Located in a rural area, is
surrounded by many acres of farmland which are devoted mainly to
growing corn and soybeans. Burnsville also contains a college
campus, Neutron College, which is famous for its Agricultural
Economics program as well as for its annual Corn-Watching Festival.
As for my college town, Bloomington, is small, having a
population of about 11,000 local residents, which swells to 15,000
people when students from the nearby college are attending
classes. Like Burnsville, Bloomington lies in the center of farmland
which is used to raise hogs and cattle. Finally, Bloomington is similar
to Burnsville in a beautiful college campus, called Quark College.
This college is well known for its Agricultural Engineering
department and also for its yearly Hog-Contest.
Thirdly, both of these towns are similar in both college
campuses. Burnsville, for example, is home to Neutron College,
which is famous for its Agricultural Economics program as well as for
its annual Corn-Watching Festival. Likewise, the town of
Bloomington boasts the beautiful campus of Quark College, which is
well known for its Agricultural Engineering department and also for
its yearly Hog-Contest.

Key words commonly used to

express comparison include:
like
similar
as
same
in the same way
too
both
most important
have in common
the same as
Similarly
as well as

Key words commonly used to

express contrast include:
although
yet
whereas
however
but
while
differ
instead
unless
unlike
on the contrary
contrary to
even though
on the other hand
the reverse

Brainstorming

Use a Venn Diagram to discover your ideas.

Contrast Paragraphs
A contrast paragraph discusses the differences between (at
least) two things.
Here is an example of such a paragraph organized by subtopic.
Notice the contrastive expressions in bold letters:
Even though Arizona and Rhode Island are both states of the U.S., they are
prominently different in many ways. For example, the physical size of each
state is different. Arizona is large, having an area of 114,000 square miles,
whereas Rhode Island is only about a tenth the size, having an area of only
1,214 square miles.
Another difference is in the size of the population of each state. Arizona
has about four million people living in it, but Rhode Island has less than one
million. The two states also differ in the kinds of natural environments that each
has. For example, Arizona is a very dry state, consisting of large desert areas that
do not receive much rainfall every year. However, Rhode Island is located in a
temperate zone and receives an average of 44 inches of rain per year.
In addition, while Arizona is a landlocked state and thus has no seashore,
Rhode Island lies on the Atlantic Ocean and does have a significant coastline.

OUTLINE OF CONTRAST PARAGRAPH

Introduction

Generalisation, purpose and thesis

statement.

Body
paragraph 1

First difference is climate

A. Mountains
B. Beach

Body
paragraph 2

Second difference is type of activities

A. Mountains
B. Beach

Body
paragraph 3

Third difference is the location

A. Mountains
B. Beach

Conclusion

Wrap up everything and restate thesis

statement.

INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH
Generalisation

We decide what we are about

to eat and how it will affect
our bodies.

Purpose

The purpose of this essay is

to compare and contrast
between eating fresh foods
instead of canned foods.

Thesis statement

The three main differences

are flavour, health benefits,
and cost.

BODY PARAGRAPH 1
Point 1: Flavour
Topic sentence

The most notable

difference between these
two kinds of foods is their
flavour.

Fresh Foods

Fresh foods have great

flavor and taste because
they keep all their natural
conditions.

Canned Foods

Canned foods lack a lot of

its flavor because there
are chemical products
added.

BODY PARAGRAPH 2
Point 2: Health benefits
Topic sentence

Comparing both types of foods

we notice another difference
which is the health factor.

Canned Foods
contrasted to
Fresh Foods

Canned foods lose some of its

original nutrients. It also it has
to be tinned with many
conservatives and chemicals
and can become toxic if
consumed too often.

BODY PARAGRAPH 3
Point 3: Cost
Topic sentence

Yet another difference

between these two types
of foods is the cost.

Fresh Foods

Fresh foods are hard to

find and take time to
prepare.

Canned Foods

Canned foods are much

more expensive than
fresh foods, but easier to
find and prepare.

CONCLUSION PARAGRAPH
Wrap things up

Here are the main three

differences between
buying fresh foods and
buying canned foods.

Restate
thesis statement

As we can see it comes

down to a personal
choice based on the
amount of money,
importance to nutrition
and health, and also
taste.