-spacer.gif (820 bytes)  

computer.gif (5968 bytes)

Colleen M. Richardson

LITTLE BLUE BUTTON.GIF (147 bytes)
1		 LITTLE BLUE BUTTON.GIF (147 bytes)
2 		LITTLE BLUE BUTTON.GIF (147 bytes)
3 		LITTLE BLUE BUTTON.GIF (147 bytes)
4 		LITTLE BLUE BUTTON.GIF (147 bytes)
5 		LITTLE BLUE BUTTON.GIF (147 bytes)
6		 LITTLE BLUE BUTTON.GIF (147 bytes)
7		 LITTLE BLUE BUTTON.GIF (147 bytes)
8		 LITTLE BLUE BUTTON.GIF (147 bytes)
9		 LITTLE BLUE BUTTON.GIF (147 bytes)
10		 LITTLE BLUE BUTTON.GIF (147 bytes)
11

Week 9: Speculating About Causes

Comparison/Contrast as a Writing Strategy: This method is often called just comparison. However, comparison may be used singly (showing only similarities), or contrast may be used singly (showing only differences). More commonly the two are used together.

Possible Thesis Statements for Comparison/Contrast Papers

Thesis: Two things thought to be different are actually similar.
Ex. Republicans and Democrats
Ex. The soviet system and the capitalist system
Thesis: Two things thought to be similar are actually different.
Ex. Intoxication from alcohol and intoxication from marijuana
Ex. Butter and margarine
Thesis: Two things, although comparable, are not really equal; one is [better than, more valuable than, more useful than, more appropriate than, etc.] the other. This thesis is a value judgment.
Ex. New York and Paris
Ex. Spring and autumn
Ex. Gingrich tax proposal and Clinton tax proposal

Patterns of Organization for Comparison/Contrast Papers

Divided pattern (A+B), also called subject-by-subject or chunking
Divides the composition into two separate sections
Each section devoted to one of the two items
Each part of the composition follows the same basic pattern
Each part of the composition is approximately the same length (one or more paragraphs)
Easy for the writer the control
May become boring and repetitive
Two items are not that closely compared
Outline for divided pattern
I. Introduction
II. Republicans
III. Democrats
IV. Conclusion
Alternating pattern (A+B/A+B), also called point-by-point or sequencing
Details are presented in matched pairs
Separate paragraphs devoted to points of similarity or difference
Similarities and differences are immediately apparent
Requires more organizational control on the part of the writer
Outline for alternating pattern
I. Introduction
II. First point of comparison between Republicans and Democrats
III. Second point of comparison between Republicans and Democrats
IV. Third point of comparison between Republicans and Democrats
V. Conclusion

Comments to C. Richardson
Last Revised 12/06/98

Metro Home Page

Academic Division Page

METRO-BLK3.GIF (3614 bytes)