University of Mostaganem

Department of English
Written Expression
L2 / G 03+06

Paragraph Development by Comparing & Contrasting

1. What is a Comparing and Contrasting Paragraph?

A compare and/or contrast paragraph is required if you are asked to examine similarities
and/or differences. Compare focuses on similarities. Contrast focuses on differences.

2. Structure of the Paragraph

a. Topic sentence : identifies the topic and the intention to compare and/or contrast X
and Y.
b. Supporting sentences : compare and contrast the features of a chosen topic.
c. Concluding sentence : summarises differences and similarities.
3. Four Basics of Comparison and Contrast
a. It has subjects (usually two) that are enough alike to be usefully compared or
contrasted.
b. It serves a purpose — to help readers either make a decision about two subjects or
understand them.
c. It gives several points of comparison and/or contrast.
d. It uses one of two organizations — point-by-point or whole-to-whole.

point-by-point whole-to-whole
1. First point of comparison 1. Subject 1
Subject 1 First point of comparison
Subject 2 Second point of comparison
2. Second point of comparison Third point of comparison
Subject 1 2. Subject 2
Subject 2 First point of comparison
3. Third point of comparison Second point of comparison
Subject 1 Third point of comparison
Subject 2
Example : a paragraph developed by comparison

A Baby and an Old Person

Though a baby and an old person are very different in point of age and experience,
they are much similar in respect of physical ability, mental strength and economic condition.
A baby is physically immature and depends on the adults around him/her for physical
movement. Similarly, an old person may be very weak and depend on others for his/her
movement. Again, a baby possesses a little mental strength and can hardly exercise it.
Likewise, an old person lacks mental strength and can hardly cope with mental pressure.
Finally, a baby has to depend on his/her parents for all financial support. An old person, too,
often depends, on. his/her sons and daughters for economic assistance. Thus, a baby and an
old person have much in common, though the former has just come to this world and the latter
is about to pass away.
Example : a paragraph developed by contrast

There are several characteristics which distinguish plants from animals. Green plants
are able to manufacture their own food from substances in the environment. This process is
known as photosynthesis. In contrast, animals get their food either directly from plants or
indirectly by eating animals which have eaten plants. Plants are generally stationary. Animals,
on the other hand, can usually move about. In external appearance, plants are usually green.
They grow in a branching fashion at their extremities, and their growth continues throughout
their lives. Animals, however, are very diverse in their external appearance. Their growth
pattern is not limited to their extremities. It is evenly distributed and only occurs in a definite
time period. Therefore, the difference between plants and animals is quite significant.

4. Useful transitional words and phrases :

For comparison : similar to, similarly, in the same way, like, equally, again, also, too, each
of, just as . . . so, …

For contrast : in contrast, on the other hand, different from, whereas, while, unlike, however,
but, although, however, conversely, yet, unlike ….
Exercise One : Fill in the blanks in order to form a compare and/or contrast paragraph.

My friends are as different as any two people could be. One big difference between
them is that my first friend _______________________________ while my other friend
___________________________________________________. Another difference is
______________________________.Myfirst
friend__________________________________________. In contrast, my other
friend _______________________________________________________. One of the most
important differences between them is
___________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________ . For example,
____________________________________________________ , whereas
_______________________________________________________ .
My two friends are so different that
__________________________________________________________________ .

Exercise Two : Fill in the two outlines with the points of comparison and/or contrast
between the two subjects.
1. TOPIC SENTENCE: I had no idea how different high school and college would be.
FIRST POINT OF CONTRAST
HIGH SCHOOL: ………………………………………………………………………….
COLLEGE: ………………………………………………………………………….
SECOND POINT OF CONTRAST
HIGH SCHOOL: ………………………………………………………………………….
COLLEGE: ………………………………………………………………………….
THIRD POINT OF CONTRAST
HIGH SCHOOL: ………………………………………………………………………….
COLLEGE: ………………………………………………………………………….
CONCLUDING SENTENCE: While high school is ……………………………………..
college is …………………………………………………………………….. .
2. TOPIC SENTENCE: Studying in a public university can be just like Studying in a private
one.
SUBJECT 1
FIRST POINT OF COMPARISON:
………………………………………………………………………….
SECOND POINT OF COMPARISON:
………………………………………………………………………….
THIRD POINT OF COMPARISON:
………………………………………………………………………….
SUBJECT 2
FIRST POINT OF COMPARISON:
………………………………………………………………………….
SECOND POINT OF COMPARISON:
………………………………………………………………………….
THIRD POINT OF COMPARISON:
………………………………………………………………………….
CONCLUDING SENTENCE: The important thing about both is that
………………………………………………………………………….
Exercise Three : Write a comparison or contrast paragraph, using one of the following
topics.

Yourself and a sister or brother

Two teachers
Two places where you have lived / visited
Yourself now/yourself five years ago
Your life now/what you want it to be
Two pets
A good student/a bad student