Patterns for Organizationwith

Compare and Contrast Writing

VS.

April 8, 2023 2

Compare and Contrast

Let’s look at different ways we can approach writing a paragraph that compares and contrasts a beach vacation vs. a snow or ski vacation.

Copyright Rasmussen, Inc. 2011. Proprietary and Confidential.

VS.

Begin with Brainstorming

3 Methods of OrganizationYou choose the one that works for you!

• Method One: Point-by-Point or Category-by Category

• Method Two: Subject-by-Subject

• Method Three: Similarities followed by

differences

April 8, 2023 5

Method One: Point –by-PointCategory-by-Category

State a point and follow with details (elaboration).State the next point and follow with details.

Copyright Rasmussen, Inc. 2011. Proprietary and Confidential.

Point-by-Point

• Discuss each point until you have covered each of your categories:

1. Weather at the beach vs. the mountains2. Activities at the beach vs. the mountains3. Gear at the beach vs. the mountains

4. Motivation for going on vacation5. Protection from the elements at both locations6. Travel to both locations

Method One: Point –by-PointCategory-by-Category

I. Beach and SnowA. Contrast

1. Weather2. Activities3. Gear

B. Compare4. Motivation5. Protection 6. Travel

Outline-Point by Point: Weather

I. Beach and SnowA. Weather

A. When choosing to go on a beach vacation, you are hoping for sunshine, warm nights and 80 degree days with no rain.

B. The heat from the sun combined with the refreshing cool water from the ocean or the pool is ideal for a beach vacation, but make sure you have plenty of sunscreen to combat the harmful rays from the sun.

C. If a ski vacation is on your horizon, you should plan for fresh snowfall and temperatures in the 30’s.

D. If the weather is in the 30’s, there is a good chance that you will be awarded with fresh powder for skiing.

Transition Words to Signal Comparison and Contrast

Comparison:o alsoo much likeo botho one wayo in the same wayo similarlyo much aso another wayo likewiseo as

Contrast:o althougho on the one hando even thougho on the other hando by contrasto otherwiseo buto thougho however

Example Point-by-Point Sentences: Weather

The weather is one of clearest differences between a beach vacation and a ski vacation. When choosing to go on a beach vacation, you are hoping for sunshine, warm nights and 80 degree days with no rain. The heat from the sun combined with the refreshing cool water from the ocean or the pool is ideal for a beach vacation, but make sure you have plenty of sunscreen to combat the harmful rays from the sun. However, if a ski vacation is on your horizon, you should plan for fresh snowfall and temperatures in the 30’s. If the weather is in the 30’s, there is a good chance that you will be awarded with fresh powder to ski on. Weather plays a major role when deciding between going to the beach or the mountains.

Supporting Detail

Sentences

Method Two: Subject-by-Subject

Write a topic sentence.Discuss one subject, the beach vacation.Write about all of the categories. Categories: weather, activities, gear, motivation, travel, and protection from elements

Then discuss the next subject, the ski vacation. Discuss the same categories: weather, activities, gear, motivation, travel, and protection from elementsWrap up with concluding statement.

April 8, 2023 Copyright Rasmussen, Inc. 2011. Proprietary and Confidential. 11

Visual Look: Subject-by-SubjectTopic SentenceBeach

– 2 sentences about weather (differences)– 2 sentences about activities (differences)– 2 sentences about gear (differences)– 1 sentence about motivation (similarities)– 1 sentences about protection from the elements (similarities)– 1 sentence about travel (similarities)

Snow– 2 sentences about weather (differences)– 2 sentences about activities (differences)– 2 sentences about gear (differences)– 1 sentence about motivation (similarities)– 1 sentences about protection from the elements (similarities)– 1 sentence about travel (similarities)

Concluding Sentence

April 8, 2023 Copyright Rasmussen, Inc. 2011. Proprietary and Confidential. 12

Method 3: Similarities and Differences

First, discuss all of the differences between the two subjects and then discuss all of the similarities between the two subjects.

Method 3: Similarities and Differences

Contrast (Differences)

I. Beach and Snow Vacations

A. Contrast1. Weather2. Activities3. Gear

Compare (Similarities)

I. Beach and Snow Vacations A. Compare

1. Motivation2. Protection from

the elements3. Travel