Strategies for Reading

Comparison and Contrast

When reading the comparison and contrast essays, keepthese questions in mind.

Understanding Meaning

  1. What is the writer’s goal—to draw distinctions, recommend a choice,show how something has changed, or make a prediction?
  2. What details does the writer present about each subject?
  3. Who is the intended audience? Is the essay directed to a general or a specific reader?
  4. Is the comparison valid? Is the writer comparing two subjects in a fairmanner? Have any points been overlooked?
  5. Does the author have an apparent bias?
  6. If the comparison makes a recommendation, does the selection seemvalid? What makes the chosen subject superior to the others? What evidence is offered?

Evaluating Strategy

  1. What is the basic pattern of the comparison—subject by subject or point by point? Do variations occur?
  2. Does the author use a device to narrow the topic or to advance the comparison?
  3. Does the writer make use of visual aids? Are they effective?

Appreciating Language

  1. Does the writer use connotations that ascribe positive or negative qualities to one or both of the items? How does the author describe the two subjects?
  2. What do the diction, level of language, and use of technical terms reveal about the intended audience?

Strategies for Writing Comparison and Contrast

  1. Determine your purpose. Is your goal to explain differences between twotopics, recommend one over the other, or show how a single subject haschanged? Do you want readers to be informed, or do you wish them tomake a choice?
  1. Consider your audience. Before you can compare two items, you mayhave to explain background information. For example, before comparingtwo treatments for arthritis, it may be necessary to explain the nature ofthe disease and to define basic terminology.
  1. Determine which method would best suit your topic. A short, nontechnical paper might be best organized using the subject-by-subject method.Longer works with facts and statistics that should be placed side by sideare better developed using the point-by-point method.
  1. Make use of transitional statements. To prevent confusion in writingcomparison, use transitional statements carefully. You may wish to invent labels or titles to distinguish clearly the different subjects you areexamining.
  1. Use visual aids to guide your readers. Careful paragraphing, page breaks,bold or italic headings, and charts can help readers follow your comparison and prevent confusion.