COMPARISON AND CONTRAST

ESSAYS

Unit goals

By the end of this unit, students will be able to write a comparison and
contrast essay.

Keys to writing effective comparison-contrast essays.

- Identifying and explain three or more key points (criteria) that you want to
compare or contrast.

- Indicating that one subject is stronger than the other, or that both subjects
have strengths, or that both subjects possess noteworthy flaws … that the
readers should consider.

- Applying the organization of comparison-contrast essays

- Using connectors for comparison and contrast

- Using comparatives

- Correcting Misplaced or Dangling Modifiers

 COMPARISON/CONTRAST ORGANIZATION

A compare and contrast essay compares and contrasts specific, related

points between two or more subjects.
- Show the similarities and/or differences between the subjects.

For example:
• Compare the health care systems of the two nations: France and the United
States.

- Make the objective evaluation based on the similarities and/or

differences discussed in the essay.

For example:
• Compare the health care systems of the two nations: France and the United
States. Then evaluate the more successful of the two in terms of overall public
health.
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 The hook attracts the readers' attention.
INTRODUCTION Background information gives information about each
subject.
Thesis statement indicates the writer’s position regarding the
two subjects. The thesis statement should contain:
• the two subjects being compared or contrasted.
• their relationship: similar, different, or both.
• the reason for comparison.
• the points of comparison.

Example: How students are educated in public schools and

home schools is quite different in terms of the curriculum,
quality of teaching, and in the interaction with other
students.

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 A. One Side at a Time (Block)
BODY Outline
Thesis statement: How students are educated in public schools
and home schools is quite different in terms of the curriculum,
quality of teaching, and in the interaction with other students.
II. BODY
▪ Body paragraph 1: Public schools
a. Curriculum
b. Teachers
c. Other students
▪ Body paragraph 2: Home schools
a. Curriculum
b. Teachers
c. Other students
(Adapted from Chin et al., 2012) 4
B. Point-by-Point
Outline
▪ Thesis statement: I've made an attempt to reform my note-
taking, studying, and test-taking skills.
II. BODY
▪ Body paragraph 1: Note-taking skills
Differences before and after the attempt to reform
▪ Body paragraph 2: studying skills
Differences before and after the attempt to reform
▪ Body paragraph 3: Test-taking skills
Differences before and after the attempt to reform
(Adapted from Langan, J., 2005)

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CONCLUSION • The conclusion emphasizes the strongest
similarities or strongest differences bet the two
subjects.
• The conclusion may also provide an evaluation
of the subjects.
• The conclusion may also provide an insight
drawn from the comparison

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 INTRODUCTION
One of the top concerns of parents is
their children's education. Yet, how and where
they can receive the best quality education
remains open to debate. In the United States,
traditional public schools remain the common
choice for most parents, but a growing number
are choosing to school their children in their own
homes. Officially, both school options must
follow the same educational guidelines
established by their respective state. Having
these guidelines suggests that students study in
similar ways in each school environment.
However, the guidelines only set goals for
students, so the methods each form of education
adopts to reach these goals can vary
considerably. How students are educated in
public schools and home schools is quite
different in terms of the curriculum, quality of
teaching, and in the interaction with other
students.
Hook: One of the top concerns of parents is
their children's education.
The background information:
Current situation: the choice of public school
and home school.
Facts: about the educational guidelines
-> these guidelines suggests that students study
in similar ways in each school environment.
-> the guidelines set goals for students ->
methods to reach these goals can vary
Thesis statement:
Two subjects: public schools and home
schools
Their relationship : different
The reason for comparison: How students are
educated
Points of comparison:
the curriculum,
quality of teaching,
interaction with other students.
BODY PARAGRAPH 1
When looking at public schools, aspects of their educational
environments are determined by the fact that they are public Topic sentence:
institutions with a diversity of students. One of these aspects is the Topic: public schools
curriculum. Along with core courses in language, math, and science,
broad-ranging courses such as history, geography, music, physical
Controlling idea: aspects of their educational
education, and social studies are offered in order to provide a environments
comprehensive education. This variety in courses serves to expose Supporting sentences
students to a wide range of subjects, thereby giving them a chance Point of Public schools
to discover which subjects might be of particular interest. Moreover, comparison
public schools must monitor and report to education officials on the
Curriculum • Must be appropriate for a diverse
effectiveness of the curriculum .This ensures that the quality of the
curriculum is maintained and that goals are reached. Additionally, group of students
the teachers themselves are crucial in public education. American • Regulated by government
College Testing (ACT) argues that along with their specialized
course knowledge and educational training, the variety in teachers' Teachers • Certified
styles and personalities can stimulate students and foster a deeper
appreciation for subjects in both interested students, and in
• More than one - variety of specialties
students who may not even enjoy the subject. Considering the
number of courses offered during the years of school education, Other students • Group work and exchange of ideas
changing teachers regularly can be an enriching experience for helps learning
students. A third critical aspect in public school education is the
students themselves. Public school students routinely exchange
• More students -opportunities for
ideas and work together in group. While they may not always like diverse social interactions
each other, they learn to adapt and cope with the diversity of
backgrounds, values, and experience present among students in a
public school class. This facilitates a type of learning beyond what Concluding sentence
books or even a teacher can provide, but which forms an essential Writer’s comment: diversity seems to be a major asset
element in learning to live in a diverse society. In short, diversity
seems to be a major asset found in the public school educational
environment.
BODY PARAGRAPH 2 Topic sentence:
Home schools, however, offer a contrasting education environment to Topic: home schools
public schools due to the more private nature of their learning Controlling idea: offer a contrasting education environment to
environment. The curriculum in home schools, for instance, is much public schools
more flexible than in public schools. Despite having to officially teach the Supporting sentences
same curriculum public schools, most states in the U.S. have fewer
regulations for home schools. This lack of regulation led to a New York Point of Home schools
Times report that found the majority of home schools do not submit any comparison
information to local school officials. While some critics may argue that it is Curriculum • Lack regulation
more likely for students in home schools to be deprived of a diverse
• Possible to structure curriculum based on
education, many home school advocates believe that a less regulated
student level, interests, etc.
curriculum allows it to be shaped according to the interests and skill level
of individual students, thereby making it more educationally beneficial to
the students. Furthermore, as the curriculum at home schools is less Teachers • Not certified (usually a parent)
regulated than in public schools, so too are teachers at home schools. • Single teacher - more personal attention for
Home school teachers require no special teacher training or expertise in student
all of the subjects taught, which leads to criticism over the qualification of
these teachers to actually teach. However, it can be argued that the Other • More limited social interactions - planned/
personal attention a student in a home school receives leads to better students controlled by parents
academic performance than can be achieved with a certified teacher • Student can move at a pace suited to own
teaching a class with a large number of students. Lastly, perhaps one of abilities, interests
the most significant contrasts between public and home schools is the
society of other students. While home school students can interact with
each other via the Internet and even participate in occasional field trips,
they generally spend their day alone with a parent, or in some cases, a Concluding sentence
small group. Although this prevents them from experiencing the diversity Writer’s comment:
to be found in public schools, it is a situation some parents prefer. In all, This is an option for those who relate quality of education with
therefore, homeschooling has become an option for those who relate flexibility and personal attention
quality of education with flexibility and personal attention - aspects which
give teachers, often a parent, more control in shaping the learning
experience of their student.
Details selected
to support the Point of
comparison
Public schools Home schools

points of Curriculum • Must be appropriate for a diverse • Lack regulation

comparison group of students

• Possible to structure curriculum based on
• Regulated by government student level, interests, etc.

Teachers • Certified • Not certified (usually a parent)

• More than one - variety of • Single teacher - more personal attention

specialties for student

Other students • Group work and exchange of • More limited social interactions - planned/
ideas helps learning controlled by parents

• More students -opportunities for • Student can move at a pace suited to own
diverse social interactions abilities, interests

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CONCLUSION

In conclusion, public and home schools have Restate the thesis

contrasting attributes which result in different statement:
educational styles and benefits. In public schools,
more regulated learning and more diversity in the
curriculum, teachers, and students can be
expected. Many people see this as important in Summary of the comparison:
preparing students for later life. Home schools, on Public schools
Home schools
the other hand, are less regulated and thereby offer
parents the opportunity to exercise greater control
over what their children are learning and with whom
they are socializing. These considerable differences
between public and home schools mean that
parents will have to assess their own definition of Final thought
quality education if they are considering either
option for their children.
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 The reason for comparison is often stated in the
Reason(s)
essay question.
for
Compare the following essay question
comparison
examples:
 Example question 1: Compare and contrast how
students are educated in public and home
schools.
 Example question 2: Compare and contrast how
students are educated in public and home
schools. Which educational environment
prepares students for university more
effectively?
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Choose Points of comparison must be related to the reasons
points of for comparison.
comparison Example
Essay question: Compare and contrast how students
are educated in public and home schools.
Possible points of comparison:
• curriculum
• teachers
• students

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 STEPS TO WRITE
A COMPARISON & CONTRAST
ESSAY

ESSAY QUESTION
Write a comparison and contrast essay to
describe the differences or/and similarities
between the two studying situations:
studying in a traditional classroom and
studying online.
Step 1: Stimulating ideas
Step 2: Brainstorming ideas
Step 3: Clustering ideas
Step 4: Outlining
Step 5: Drafting
Step 6: Self-editing and Peer-editing
Step 7: Revising
 Step 1: Stimulating ideas
Read the passage “Traditional Learning Vs.
Online Learning” and find the details that
describe the two learning situations.
Studying in a traditional classroom
- Traditional classes are suitable for
young children, teenagers, and young
VS adolescents who are yet to join the
workforce
- helps students and teachers know
each other in a better manner
- can directly share their views and
clarify their own queries with the
teacher, thus getting their questions
answered right away.
- books and classroom notes are very
useful for studying and passing
exams
Studying online
- Employees who need professional
level courses to increase their
qualifications and enhance their career
opportunities in their jobs
- it saves valuable time, money, and
energy
- take a course from the comfort of
their office or home
- offer alternatives to live query
resolution like online forums, emails,
and chatrooms.
- reducing the amount of books one
has to read
- Schedule your own learning
- Take time to get the answers from
the alternatives
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Step 2: Brainstorming
ideas Studying in a traditional classroom
- Make friends
- Discipline in learning
 Notes down all of - helps students and teachers know
the ideas appear in
each other in a better manner
your head.
 Use ideas from the - can directly share their views and
clarify their own queries with the
article “Traditional
teacher, thus getting their questions
Learning Vs. answered right away.
Online Learning”.
 Don’t spend more - books and classroom notes are very
useful for studying and passing
than 10 minutes on
exams
this step.
- Go to school everyday
- Cancel some necessary or
emergency work for class attendance
Studying online
- Employees who need professional
level courses
- it saves valuable time, money, and
energy
- take a course from the comfort of
their office or home
- offer alternatives to live query
resolution like online forums, emails,
and chatrooms.
- reducing the amount of books one
has to read
- Schedule your own learning
- Take time to get the answers from
the alternatives
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 Step 3: Clustering ideas
Points to Studying in a traditional classroom
compare: Conveniences
- Go to school everyday ->Take fee in
- Conveniences transportation and make sts tired
- Interactions - Cancel some necessary or emergency
- Leaning styles work for class attendance
Interactions
- books and classroom notes are very useful
for studying and passing exams
- directly share their views and clarify their
own queries with the teacher, thus getting
their questions answered right away
Leaners
- Traditional classes are more suitable for
young children, teenagers, and young
adolescents who are yet to join the
workforce
Studying online
Conveniences
- it saves time, money, and energy
- take a course from the comfort of their
office or home
Interactions
- offer alternatives to live query resolution
like online forums, emails, and chatrooms.
- reducing the amount of books one has to
read
- Take time to get the answers from the
alternatives
Leaners
- Employees who need professional level
courses to increase their qualifications and
enhance their career opportunities in their
jobs
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Pattern 1: One Side at a
Time (Block)
• In the first body paragraph,
the first subject is explained in
detail
• In the second body
paragraph, the second subject
is explained in detail with
comparisons and contrasts to
the first subject.
• The points of comparison
should be the same in both
body paragraphs and should
be presented in the same
order.
• This pattern is more
appropriate for shorter essays
with fewer points of
comparison.
Step 4: Making an Outline
I . Introduction
- Hook
- Background information
- Thesis statement: (focus on similarities or differences or both)
II. Body:
BODY PARAGRAPH 1: Studying in a
traditional classroom BODY PARAGRAPH 2: Studying online
Conveniences
Conveniences
- Go to school everyday ->Take fee in - it saves valuable time, money, and energy
transportation and make students tired - take a course from the comfort of their office
- Cancel some necessary or emergency or home
work for class attendance Interactions
Interactions - reducing the amount of books one has to
- books and classroom notes are very useful read
for studying and passing exams - offer alternatives to live query resolution like
- directly share their views and clarify their
online forums, emails, and chatrooms ->Take
own queries with the teacher, thus getting time to get the answers from the alternatives
their questions answered right away Leaners
Leaners - Employees who need professional level
- Traditional classes are more suitable for courses to increase their qualifications and
young children, teenagers, and young enhance their career opportunities in their
adolescents who are yet to join the jobs
workforce
III. Conclusion 18

Pattern 2: point by point
In longer essays with more
points of comparison, the point-
by-point pattern allows the
reader to focus on the points
being compared more easily.
Each body paragraph is
focused on comparing and
contrasting one point of
comparison between the two
subjects.
This pattern is appropriate for
either shorter or longer essays.
I . Introduction
- Hook
- Background information
- Thesis statement: (focus on similarities or differences or both)
II. Body
BODY PARAGRAPH 1:
Conveniences
a. Traditional classroom
- Go to school everyday -
>Take fee in
transportation and make
students tired
- Cancel some necessary
or emergency work for
class attendance
b. Studying online
- save valuable time,
money, and energy
- take a course from the
comfort of their office or
home
III. Conclusion
BODY PARAGRAPH 2:
BODY PARAGRAPH 3:
Interactions
Leaners
a. Traditional classroom
- books and classroom notes
a. Traditional
are very useful for studying and
classroom
- Traditional classes are
passing exams
more suitable for young
- directly share their views and
children, teenagers, and
clarify their own queries with
young adolescents who
the teacher, thus getting their
are yet to join the
questions answered right away
workforce
b. Studying online
b. Studying online
- Employees who need
- reduce the amount of books
one has to read
professional level
courses to increase their
- offer alternatives to live query
qualifications and
resolution like online forums,
enhance their career
emails, and chatrooms ->Take
opportunities in their
time to get the answers from
jobs
the alternatives
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Step 5: - Use brainstorming notes & completed outline.
Drafting
- Pay attention to the organization of ideas (introduction, body
paragraphs and conclusion).
- Spend 40 minutes writing your first draft of a comparison-
contrast essay on the given topic.

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Step 6: EDITOR’S CHECK LIST
Editing Put a check () in the box as appropriate.
▪ Introduction
1. Does your introduction include a hook?
2. Does your introduction include background information?
3. Does your thesis statement present the comparison and/or contrast between the two subjects?
4. Do you choose appropriate points to present the similarities or differences between the two
subjects?
▪ Body
5. Does each body paragraph have a clear topic sentence that describes one stage of the process?
6. Are body paragraphs arranged in correct PATTERN (Point-by-Point OR Block)?
7. Does each body paragraph include appropriate details that support the topic sentence?
8. Did you use correct structures that show similarities?
9. Did you use correct structures that show differences?
10. Does each body paragraph have a concluding sentence?
▪ Conclusion
11. Does your conclusion summarize the points of comparison and/or contrast?
12. Does your conclusion give any evaluations?
13. Does your conclusion present the final thought or comments?
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 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ANSWER COMMENTS
YES NO
1. Does the introduction include a hook?
2. Is more background information needed?

introduction
3. Does the thesis statement present the comparison and/or contrast between the two
subjects?
4. Does the thesis statement present choose appropriate points to present the
similarities or differences between the two subjects?
5. Does each of body paragraphs have a clear topic sentence that describes points to
present the similarities or differences between the two subjects?

6. Are body paragraphs arranged in correct PATTERN (Point-by-Point OR Block)?

What details do you suggest to correct?
What additional details do you suggest?
body

7. Does each body paragraph include appropriate details that support the topic
sentence? What other details do you suggest?

8. Does the essay have correct structures that show similarities? If NOT, give your
suggestion.
9. Does the essay have correct structures that show differences? If NOT, give your
suggestion.
10. Does each body paragraph have a concluding sentence?

11. Does the conclusion summarize the points of comparison and/or contrast?
conclusio

12. Does the conclusion give any evaluations?

n

13. Does the conclusion present the final thought or comments?

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Step 7: Revising
1. Do nothing.
2. Add information.
3. Edit grammar mistakes.
4. Cross it out.

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Thank you for your attention!

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