Compare & Contrast

What is Compare and Contrast?

Comparing means looking at similarities between two things. Contrasting means looking at differences between two things.

In writing, we often do both at the same time.

Signal Words

For comparing (similarities): both, similarly, likewise, in the same way, also, just as, equally

For contrasting (differences): however, on the other hand, in contrast, unlike, whereas, while, although, but, yet

Organising a Compare-Contrast Text

Block Method

Discuss everything about A, then everything about B.

Paragraph 1: All about dogs Paragraph 2: All about cats

Point-by-Point Method

Compare A and B on one point at a time.

Paragraph 1: Dogs vs cats — personality Paragraph 2: Dogs vs cats — maintenance Paragraph 3: Dogs vs cats — cost

Venn Diagrams

A Venn diagram (two overlapping circles) is a useful planning tool:

• Left circle = features unique to A
• Right circle = features unique to B
• Overlapping section = shared features

Comparing Two Texts

When comparing texts, look at:

• Purpose — what does each text aim to do?
• Audience — who is each text written for?
• Tone — formal/informal, serious/humorous?
• Language — word choices, techniques used
• Structure — how is each text organised?