Writing:

Comparison/Contrast

Paragraphs

“An Introduction to EAP –

Academic Skills in English”Lesson 6

Objective

You will learn how to make comparisons in academic writing.

You will learn more about the similarities and differences among three standard varieties of English.

You will use what you have learnt to carry out a written assignment.

Comparison/Contrast Paragraphs

In a comparison/contrast paragraph, you explain the similarities and the differences between two items. It is used in all academic fields.

There are two useful ways to organize a comparison/contrast essay. Read the two model paragraphs and find out.

Two models of organization

Block Organization

You group all the similarities in one block. You put all the differences together in

another block. You could discuss either block first. You often use a transition sentence between

the two blocks.

Point-by-Point Organization

You make a list of the points of comparison. You discuss the similarities and/or the differences

concerning each point.

IN BOTH MODELS YOU SHOULD ALWAYS USE THE APPROPRIATE COMPARISON/CONTRAST SIGNAL WORDS AND PHRASES.

Comparison/Contrast Signals

Standards of the Inner Circle

Three ‘standard’ Englishes: Britain, North America and Australia

similarities and differences- across the three standards- across varieties of English within Britain and

North America

Vocabulary

= most noticeable level of divergence NAmE and BrE Words either not existing in one of the two varieties or having

completely/partially different meaning Early settlers introduced new words via

– Extending meaning of existing English words (e.g. corn, robin)– Creating new words (e.g. butte)– Borrowing from indigenous languages (e.g. moccasin, squash,

toboggan) Developments since independence of US

– technological innovation (e.g. NAmE: windshield, hood, trunk vs. BrE: windscreen, bonnet, boot)

Categories of lexical differencesin EngEng and USEng

Trudgill and Hannah 2002:

Same word, different meaning Same word, additional meaning in one variety Same word, difference in style, connotation,

frequency of use Same concept or item, different word

Choose the correct category

faucet - smart - sophomore - autumn - pants

homely - school - quite - a queue - to fancy

pavement - regular - corn

Which category has the greatest potential for misunderstanding between speakers of English from the UK and from the US?

Lexical differences 2

British vs American slang http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYmrg3owTRE

Words and expressions that can cause embarrassing or comical misunderstandings:

to knock up – fag – rubber – to root for – to get pissed – fanny – bum – buns – queen – thong

tramp – hamper – mean – suspenders – Asian

Australian English

Borrowings from aboriginal languages (e.g. kangaroo, boomerang)some now widely known; especially for fauna and flora; now regarded as quintessentially Australian

Words with different meanings (to barrack for = support – paddock = field – footpath = pavement)

Different slang words and phrases (a galah = a fool – to spit the dummy = to lose your temper – splosh = money)

Many abbreviations, clippings (barbecue = barbie – afternoon = arvo – Australian = Aussie)

Slang across the three standards

When suprised, they say: Bloody OATH! – No way! /Shut the front door! – Bloody Hell!

When angry, they say: Sod that! – Bugger! – God damn it! When showing approval, they say: Sweet! – Cool! – Bargain! Amazed: Gob smacked – Blown away – Far out Pleased: Stoked – Rapt – Chuffed Friend: Mate – Sport – Buddy Boy: Guy/Dude – Bloke/Lad – Bloke Girl: Sheila – Chick/Gal – Bird/Lass Toilet: John/Can – Dunny – Loo Tired: Knackered – Bushed – Beat Idiot: Dumbass – Git – Drongo

Differences in grammar and spelling

EngEng and USEng (Trudgill and Hannah 2002) Verbs: morphology (dived/dove – got/gotten), auxiliaries (epistemic

must = can’t/must not) Nouns: noun endings (candidature/candidacy – centenary/centennial) ,

using verbs as nouns (an invalid/a shut in – an audition/ a try out) Adjectives and adverbs (different from/different than – yet and already

with simple past in USEng) Prepositions (behind/in back of – in a street/on a street – for ages/in

ages) Spelling: Words ending in -or (American) -our (British) color, colour,

humor, humour, flavor, flavour etc.Words ending in -ize (American) -ise (British) recognize, recognise, patronize, patronise etc.

Problems with differences

Can you think of any other differences? Do any of these differences have the same

potential for miscommunication as lexical differences do?

Have you had any personal experience of miscommunication arising from grammatical differences in your own and an interlocutor’s English?