blending compare and contrast with narrative

Blending Compare/Contrast with the non-fiction narrativeTwo powerful writing “tools” that work together in making your writing more expressive, insightful, and persuasive.

Comparing and ContrastingCompare/contrast is a method of analysis we

use in order to make small or large decisions based on common or dissimilar attributes. We compare and contrast every time we shop, pick a movie to rent, or when we choose where to live (sometimes we even make comparisons subconsciously).

Comparison involves associating or finding similarities between subjects.

Contrasting involves disassociating or finding differences between subjects.

Comparing and Contrasting

•The purpose of comparing and contrasting is (usually) to evaluate or judge which object of comparison is superior.

•e.g. We might appreciate our feature-rich cell phones more when comparing them to early portables.

•Organizing the likeness and differences between subjects is key to comparing/contrasting in writing.


•Be organized.•But first... Make sure your subjects have a

basis for comparison.•Would you compare/contrast a bowling

ball with a bowl of cereal?•Would you compare a Macintosh with a

PC?

Comparing and Contrasting•A simple tool to consider: Venn

Diagrams...

Unique to “X” X & Y Unique to “Y”

Comparing and ContrastingAs HR committee members, use your Venn Diagrams to compare and contrast two of your company’s employees:

Ginger Delilah


Mo Buckley

Yancy


•You could continue to use variations of Venn Diagrams for a few more subjects of comparison... But it is a lot of work and more difficult to remain neat and organized.

•Matrixes/tables are a great way to organize information for larger scale comparisons.


MO BUCKLEY YANCY

A. 1

A. 2

A. 3

A. 4

(Attributes)


Mo Buckley

Yancy

MO BUCKLEY YANCY

A1.

A2.

A3.

A4.

Draw this chart as we come up with attributes to compare these three fine gentlemen.


Mo Buckley

Yancy

MO BUCKLEY YANCY

A1. Gender Male Male Male

A2. Facial Hair Moustache Beard and moustache

Beard

A3. Outfit Formal Formal Formal

A4. Facial expression

Comparing and ContrastingExercise:

Using either my sample chart or the one we just drew, how are these good fellows comparable?

Do you think it would have been harder to contrast them?

What statement does the representation of these three fellows make? Look at your table and see what story the picture tells.

Comparing and Contrasting... and narrative!- With our analysis, we have discovered a

narrative.- The narrative tells a story in order to

advance an idea for the reader’s consideration.

- Integrating compare/contrast into the narrative, then, enables you to advocate a position based on cross-evaluation (remember the purpose of compare/contrast?)

Comparing and Contrasting... and narrative!- In writing your own narrative, begin by establishing

why you’re comparing/contrasting the subjects you’re comparing (use Ginger and Delilah this time). This is your thesis.

- Use the block method

- Intro + Thesis- Block A (Ginger)

1. Attribute 12. Attribute 23. Attribute 3

- Block B (Delilah)1. Attribute 12. Attribute 23. Attribute 3

... Or the alternating method:

-Intro + Thesis-Block A (Attribute 1)

-1. Ginger-2. Delilah

-Block B (Attribute 2)-1. Ginger-2. Delilah

-- Block C (Attribute 3)-1. Ginger-Delilah

Comparing and Contrasting... and narrative!- Your conclusion should offer your views of the

two subjects – your evaluation!

- Make sure to use transitions in your writing such as:- “like”- “unlike”- “on the one hand... ... On the other hand...”- “in contrast...”- “similarly...”- “although...”

Comparing and Contrasting... and narrative!

TWO VIEWS OF THE MISSISSIPPIBy Mark Twain


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How does this tool enhance my writing?

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•In academics?

•It will enhance your theses!•It will serve research! Falsification

(comparing experiment results is an important step in the scientific method.)


• In business?

• Businesses face fierce competition, comparing and contrasting with competitors in order to find an effective niche, evaluate vendors, evaluate grants or contracts is very important.

• Writers can use this style of analysis along with effective narrative writing to make points as writers of internal memos and newsletters, marketing materials, or even product reviews or corporate emails!


• In law?

•The American legal system is adversarial by design. In jury trials, jurors compare and contrast the arguments of the accused with the arguments of the accuser.

•Legal writing advances arguments by comparing litigants’ actions with regulations, civil codes, and laws.


•In... Love letters!

•“... shall I compare thee with a summer’s day?”▫William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet

blending compare and contrast with narrative

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