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Compare and Contrast Essay University assignments/ tasks often require the comparison and contrast of theories/ approaches/ procedures

• to compare is to examine how things are similar • to contrast is to see how they differ • a compare and contrast essay, then, analyzes two subjects by

comparing them, contrasting them, or both Example paragraph

(https://writingcenter.ashford.edu/compare-contrast-assignments)

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Compare and Contrast Essay Structure Introduction Body Conclusion

References

Similarities 1st idea - expand and support 2nd idea - expand and support 3rd idea - expand and support

Differences 1st idea - expand and support 2nd idea - expand and support 3rd idea - expand and support

1. Restate your position.

2. Review your main points

1. Background Information 2. Definition of terms 3. Essay Organization – Compare and Contrast

At the end of the essay on a new page, list all the books, articles and other materials you have referred to within the essay. Use APA style Referencing

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Linkers / connecting words and phrases A. Similarities

§ both § like § just like § alike

§ similarly § just as § both … and …

§ and § similar to § in the same way

§ in the same way that

§ not only… but also…

§ also § as well as

§ the same § the same

as…

§ likewise

Connecting two independent clauses: a) full stop and comma b) semicolon and comma

1. Tokyo is the financial heart of Japan. ________________, New York is the

centre of banking and finance in the United States. 2. Tokyo is the financial heart of Japan; ________________, New York is the

centre of banking and finance in the United States. The word also is generally not used with a semicolon. Also may appear in other positions in the second independent clause

3. Tokyo is a major financial centre. New York is an important centre of banking

and finance also. 4. Tokyo is the financial heart of Japan. New York is also an important centre of

banking and finance

Notice the difference in usage of Just as (is followed by a subject and verb) / Just like (is a preposition and is followed by a noun or noun phrase)

5. Tokyo is crowded and noisy just as New York is. 6. Tokyo is crowded and noisy just like New York.

Other

7. Tokyo’s traffic is _____________ to New York’s 8. The streets in downtown Tokyo and New York City are _____________ 9. The shopping areas are _____________ 10. Tokyo and NY are _____________ crowded. 11. Tokyo’s exclusive shops display the _____________ fashion ______________

the exclusive shops in NY. 12. _______________ Tokyoites __________ also New Yorkers dress fashionably. 13. _____________Tokyo and New York have outstanding international restaurants. Oshima, A., & Hogue, A. (1997). Introduction to academic writing. Essex: Longman

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Differences

§ on the other hand § but § although § different from

§ in contrast § on the contrary

§ yet § even though § unlike

§ however § while

§ nevertheless § whereas

§ alternatively § despite

§ conversely § despite the fact that

Connecting two independent clauses: a) full stop and comma b) semicolon and comma

1. Men excel at math. _____________, women are better at language. 2. Men excel at math; _____________, women are better at language.

Notice but / yet :

§ But – when the information in the second sentence is in complete contrast to the information in the first clause

§ Yet – when the information in the second clause is unexpected or surprising.

3. Men listen primarily with their right ear, but women listen with both ears. 4. The language centre is in the left side of the brain in both sexes; yet women

have stronger language skills than men.

Notice although / even though: § Use when the result in the independent clause is an unexpected surprise

because of the information given in the dependent clause.

5. Even though I took the driving test three times, I couldn’t pass it. 6. I couldn’t pass the driving test although I took it three times.

Notice while / whereas:

§ Use when information given in the first clause is in strong contrast (direct opposition). This is an exception to the usual rule.

§ Notice a comma is used after the independent clause before while or whereas to show contrast.

7. Some people like to exercise indoors, while others prefer to exercise

outdoors. 8. Whereas some people like to exercise indoors, others prefer to exercise

outdoors. Other:

9. Men’s spatial abilities are different from women’s spatial abilities 10. Women’s spatial abilities are unlike men’s spatial abilities. 11. Unlike men, women use both ears to listen with.

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MODEL ESSAY : School systems in Europe and the United States

A nation's purpose in educating its children is to prepare them to become productive

members of society. A school system can be defined as a system of education that is based on a

country’s needs, economic resources, and traditions. This essay will discuss several similarities

between education in Europe and America in terms of class size, curriculum and length of schooling, and will also explore a number of differences including time spent at school, categories

of schools and the progression of students into further education. The educational systems of Europe and the USA are similar in a number of ways. Firstly,

elementary school classes are very alike in many of these countries: There are about twenty-two pupils per class, and the classes are co-educational. Moreover, there is one teacher for all subjects

for each grade (except in Scandinavia), and the majority of elementary school teachers are women.

In addition, the subjects taught at the elementary level are basically the same everywhere: reading and writing, mathematics, basic sciences, music, sports and art.

Secondly, European and American students spend approximately the same number of years at school. Both the US and most European countries require the students to attend school

for at least nine or ten years. Germany and Belgium have the highest requirement: thirteen years of education. Finally, children in most countries start compulsory education at a common age,

usually age six, and leave at a similar age, usually age seventeen or eighteen. Despite these similarities, the educational systems differ greatly in several areas. For

example, the number of hours per day and days per year that students are required to attend

school. The number of hours per day that a student must spend in school ranges from a low of five in Belgium to a high of eight in parts of Hungary and Turkey. Furthermore, the number of days

per year that the students must be in school varies. Austria requires 237 days of school per year, while Hungary requires 170 and Spain only 160. That is a difference of more than two months.

The next major difference is in the types of schools available. In the countries of northern Europe there is no division between elementary and secondary school; school just flows from the

first day of first grade until the end of secondary schooling at age sixteen. However, in the United

States, school is divided into nine years of elementary and four years of secondary education. A final major variation between Europe and the United States is the number of students who

go on to higher education. In the United States, over 50% of high school graduates enter a college or university. In contrast, fewer than 15% of British students do so. The European average is

about 30-40%.

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In conclusion, it can be seen that the experience of schoolchildren varies from country to

country. Even though the United States and the countries of Europe may seem very similar in many ways, including the number of students per class, the syllabus and the years of schooling,

their educational systems are actually quite different. These differences are clear in the hours spent at school, how schools are structured and the proportion of students destined for tertiary

study. Each of these education systems are designed to fit each country’s own requirements, economic system and customs.

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