COMPARE AND CONTRAST CONTENT MATERIALS

• What is the act of identifying similarities between two or more things called?

  Comparison
• What is the act of identifying differences between two or more things called?

  Contrast
• How do comparison and contrast help us?

  They allow us to analyze and understand the relationships between ideas, objects, or concepts.
• What are the key purposes of comparing and contrasting?

  • Analyze relationships
  • Clarify understanding
  • Evaluate options
  • Organize information
• What does comparing and contrasting allow you to examine?

  How things are alike and how they differ.
• How does comparing and contrasting clarify understanding?

  It highlights key features and characteristics.
• In what way can comparing and contrasting help in decision-making?

  By weighing the pros and cons of alternatives.
• How does the structure of comparison and contrast writing help?

  It helps organize ideas in a logical way.
• Why are transitional words and phrases important in comparison and contrast writing?

  They signal to the reader how the ideas are related.
• What are some common transitional words for comparison?

  • Similarly
  • Likewise
  • In the same way
  • Also
  • Too
  • As well as
• What are some common transitional words for contrast?

  • However
  • On the other hand
  • In contrast
  • Conversely
  • Yet
  • But
  • Although
  • Instead
• What are the two main structures of comparison and contrast writing?

  1. Point-by-point

  • Discuss one point of comparison/contrast at a time.

  1. Subject-by-subject

  • Discuss all points for one subject before the other.
• What is the structure of point-by-point comparison and contrast writing?

  Discuss one point of comparison/contrast, then the next, alternating between the two subjects.
• What is the structure of subject-by-subject comparison and contrast writing?

  Discuss all points of comparison for one subject, then all points for the other subject.
• In what scenario might you compare and contrast two products?

  By comparing the features and pricing of two different smartphones.
• How might you compare and contrast two historical events?

  By contrasting the leadership styles of two U.S. presidents.
• How can comparison and contrast be applied to academic theories?

  By comparing the key principles of behaviorism and cognitivism in psychology.
• How can comparison and contrast be used in art or literature?

  By contrasting the themes and symbolism in two novels.
• What is essential to effectively communicate similarities and differences in comparison and contrast?

  Identifying the specific aspects you want to compare and contrast.
• What role do transitional words play in comparison and contrast writing?

  They explicitly show the reader whether you are highlighting similarities or differences.